Selling that BMW K1200RS for Dale the Builder.

Two replies are obvious scams, but a third started out looking pretty legit.

Then it's "I need to see a VIN report from SoftVINlab.com" ($30 out of my pocket) followed by "I have to take a day off work to come see it" (on a Saturday?) and "I sold my car so I have to hire someone to bring me down"

Ummmmmmm...bullshit?

Maybe not malevolent, but certainly a pain in the ass and deserves another $2000 uplift in combat pay.

quote:

I sold my car so I have to hire someone to bring me down"

^^^^^^^^^^^
Denotes poor judgement. I would casually ask where he works. The more info you have the better. I have friends to transport me, I do not have to hire somebody. Skeptical.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

"I need to see a VIN report from SoftVINlab.com"

Response: "No problem. Here's the VIN, feel free to obtain your report."

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

"I need to see a VIN report from SoftVINlab.com"

Response: "No problem. Here's the VIN, feel free to obtain your report."

^Agreed

If I can't sell it in SIGforum, I'll just keep it.

quote:

"I sold my car so I have to hire someone to bring me down"

Who talks like that?

1. No way no how I'm publishing the VIN. That's an invitation to "Hey, that's MY bike!" and a lot of hassle proving otherwise.

2. It's been crickets since I called him on the multiple excuses. Either he really is a scammer or he's pissed at me. Frankly, I don't give a shit either way.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
1. No way no how I'm publishing the VIN. That's an invitation to "Hey, that's MY bike!" and a lot of hassle proving otherwise.

Not really since you (or the owner) has the title. The title is the best evidence of ownership. Anyone can know the serial number, they are written all over most vehicles.

Turns out my instincts were correct:

Scoop on SoftVINLab

Great catch, stay vigilant!

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
Turns out my instincts were correct:

Scoop on SoftVINLab

Business must be fucking slow.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
Turns out my instincts were correct:

Scoop on SoftVINLab

Yes, the asshole is scammer for trying to get you go on SoftVINLab to obtain their fake report then stealing your CC info. That is the scam, not the "Hey, that's my car" scam attempt based on VIN, which they can't prove shit. It's not your VIN that they want.

As I recall, some credit card companies give you the option to use "one-time" account numbers for a transaction. The account number can be used once only. That might come in handy.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

As I recall, some credit card companies give you the option to use "one-time" account numbers for a transaction. The account number can be used once only. That might come in handy.

Capital One allows you to create a "Virtual Card" that is only valid for a specific merchant. Any attempt to make a charge at any other merchant is declined automatically. It is not specifically a "one-time" card, it can be used repeatedly at the same merchant, but you have the ability to lock / unlock the card any time that you want to, or delete it completely, so it can be a one-time card, or it can be multiple use.

Example: I have a virtual card that is valid only for auto insurance premiums with Travelers. Another that is valid only for Spectrum (internet and cable TV service). Another for the city's utility department for water and trash pickup. I think I have a couple dozen of these virtual cards. Easy enough to keep track of with a password manager (I use 1Password), or you can create a database or track them in a spreadsheet. I like 1Password because I don't even have to look the card up, the information is filled in automatically on a merchant's website, but it's not transmitted to the merchant until I click an approval for the charge.

I believe that some other card issuers have similar offerings, but I don't know which ones.

Yeah, when MBNA was still around, they gave you a different virtual number for each online purchase. That sure beat all the theft attempts.

quote:

"I have to take a day off work to come see it" (on a Saturday?)

Partly, "kinda-sorta" legit. Some people do work on Saturdays, you know. I did myself for much of my career.

Got another one this morning: "hella (sic) is the BMW K12RS still for sale?"

I replied "No, I just left the ad up to annoy scammers."

^^^ Ha Ha ^^^

I love doing business with cranky old men. We understand each other, and can mostly communicate with grunts and stink-eye glances.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:

quote:

"I sold my car so I have to hire someone to bring me down"

Who talks like that?

Someone who learned British English, so probability of Nigerian scammer is very high.

No American uses phrasing like that.