Scamming via money pak?

[Okika94]

Does anyone know anything about getting scammed via money pak (it's a paypal related thing)? I'm working out a deal for a ticket and, after sending countless emails and almost being scammed twice, I can't help being wary.

[trilobyte]

Go to the web site of whoever's offering such a payment method, and see what you can find out about buyer protection (if there is any).

[waywardvirtuoso]

Is it Green Dot Money Pack? I had someone ask me the same thing. I think she was legit, but at the end, I backed out for fear of the scam. It's a prepaid card that there's a number on the back.... if you give them the number, you basically gave them however much cash you loaded the card for. I've read lots of places this is a scam, but the girl I was working with didn't have a way to do Paypal supposedly.

If you do buy a card, you can only get a refund online and it takes 7-10 days. You can use it to load PayPal, but just be aware of what you're buying.

[waywardvirtuoso]

By the way, you can use it to fill PayPal, but it's NOT affiliated with them. Totally different. if you send someone a card, you basically sent them cash (i know i'm repeating myself now).

[lucidruthie]

were you trying to buy tickets from a seller in Reno? Perhaps two tickets for $700? let me know, we are worried this person is scamming us as well and I am curious if it's the same person.

[waywardvirtuoso]

Nope I was trying to buy from a girl with a yahoo account (seemed young... maybe 21ish) in Morgan Hill just south of San Jose, CA. She wanted to meet in person, I'm 2.5 hours away so we were trying to do it where we didnt have to meet up... she didnt have a way to paypal so she found green dot... we ended up trying to meet in person and ended up at the wrong effing safeway stores. she got scared waiting late at night for strangers (understandably) and i had to drive 2.5 hours home so i could get 4 hours of sleep before work today... and now she's selling the ticket to someone else tonight (i told her to).

She felt bad that i would get stuck with the green dot I'd bought (really long story) and offered to meet up with me when she was closer to Sacramento to pay me cash for it and I had to assure her that I was able to put the money back into my bank account. Sweet kid.

I'm still ticketless

(part of me hopes someone else has had this & I'll be glad I avoided a scam. but she was happy to meet in person so I'm thinking it just wasn't meant to be).

[Savannah]

I personally would never pay via Greendot Money Pak. With Moneypak, there is no protection for you if you get scammed.

Google Greendot Money Pak scam and you can see how crooks abuse this way of sending money. Money Pak themselves says:

https://www.moneypak.com/ProtectYourMoney.aspx

Better Business Bureau says . . .
http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/bbb-s ... line-18427

[waywardvirtuoso]

The only reason I agreed to get the Green Dot is I was there with cash in hand and *really long story* she was more comfortable with a card. If I'm going to hand over cash, green dot is no different. When it came to it that we couldnt meet in person cuz I couldnt drive down there again, I backed out specifically because I'd never mail cash... I'd never mail money pak.

[Savannah]

Oh, I definitely think you handled it well.

[TaciturnPixie]

The Green Dot/Money Pak on Reno craigslist was/is a scam. I e-mailed a girl who provided legit ticket codes saying her sister originally bought the tickets and they couldn't go. When I e-mailed the address linked to the verified ticket, the original ticket buyer told me that it was a scam and that someone had stolen her ticket codes and pictures of an Ebay auction from when she had sold her tickets.

If you Google Money Pak and scam, you find a lot of reports of people using this service to scam people with fake merchandise and tickets. It's untrackable and super risky for the buyers. I've since seen 2 other Craigslist posts of BM ticket sellers requesting money through Money Pak and I suspect its the same person/people or at least the same scam. In all instances, they've claimed to be in another state or far from where they posted the ad. The way I see it, BM tickets are such a hot commodity right now, if you're using Craigslist to sell your tickets why would you go to another city's Craigslist when you could easily sell it on your local Craigslist?

[Okika94]

2 for $700 or 1 for $350. She posted in the susanville craigslist but says she lives in Bakersfield. We were gonna meet but then changed our minds. I'm waiting for verification info still plus some pics of the ticket and receipt just as an extra measure. Also, she asked for the money pak number, but when I told her I was uncomfortable with that, she said that's fine. Now I'm supposed to deposit the money pak into her account since she's a verified money pak partner. Sounds legit, yeah? Anyone see any holes? Except maybe the craigslist city mix up.

Thanks for all the help so far!

[pandora422]

I've been in contact with a woman, [personal info removed by moderator] that has 2 tickets for sale for $700 or 1 for $350 and will only deal though Money Pak. Sounds like this might be part of the same scam. Checking with the BM.org tonight to see if they are legit.

[Savannah]

From the MoneyPak Site:

Protect yourself. Here are helpful tips and scams to avoid:

Never give your MoneyPak number to someone you don’t know.

MoneyPak should ONLY be used to reload your prepaid cards or accounts you control.

Beware of deals or opportunities that seem too good to be true. They are most likely a scam and you will lose your money.

Beware of any offers that do not accept credit card payments and ask for you to purchase a MoneyPak and provide the MoneyPak Number in an email or over the phone.

When using MoneyPak with PayPal for eBay or other online merchants, transfer the money to your PayPal account first before paying the merchant. DO NOT email the MoneyPak Number directly to the merchant.

Never use a MoneyPak to pay for taxes or fees on foreign lottery winnings, grants or any offer that requires you to pay first before getting something back.

Beware of websites requesting MoneyPak as a form of payment even if they display the MoneyPak or Green Dot logo. Check this website for a list of approved MoneyPak partners.

[trilobyte]

I talked to a friend tonight who uses Green Dot and loves the service, but he uses it only as a means to reload his paypal card without connecting his paypal to a bank. As an avid Green Dot user, he says he'd never use it to pay another person. His two cents.

[Okika94]

Hey pandora422, let me know what you find out, will ya? Thanks.

Ugh! Why is this world full of scammers?!?! All I want is to go to burning man!

[capjbadger]

Hey pandora422, let me know what you find out, will ya? Thanks.

Ugh! Why is this world full of scammers?!?! All I want is to go to burning man!

I think you just answered your own question.

-Badger

[junglesmacks]

I've been in contact with a woman, [personal info removed by moderator] that has 2 tickets for sale for $700 or 1 for $350 and will only deal though Money Pak. Sounds like this might be part of the same scam. Checking with the BM.org tonight to see if they are legit.

How are you even doubting that this ISN'T the scam at this point??

Bottom line - anyone with a bank account can have a PayPal account. Anyone. If they say otherwise or are resistant to PayPal, it's most likely a scam.

If you do use PayPal, ALWAYS use a credit card if you can. If you transfer money via PayPal, get scammed and seller drains bank account prior to the claim.. you're screwed. I've had it happen. If you use credit card, you can dispute and win via your credit card company if for some reason PayPal doesn't.

[theresap]

She was willing to use paypal with me, but got the verification from BM this morning;
"DO NOT BUY! We just had it confirmed this is a scam."

So sad! She was so believable and sweet too. Hope none of you gave her money!!!!

[Igneouss]

Even PayPal can be used for scams. Search around for examples of people that had serious trouble getting refunds after being scammed through PayPal. Just about any other suggested money transfer system is almost certainly a scam.

Be careful. It's risky. Easy to get burned.

[Okika94]

She was willing to use paypal with me, but got the verification from BM this morning;
"DO NOT BUY! We just had it confirmed this is a scam."

So sad! She was so believable and sweet too. Hope none of you gave her money!!!!

I know! Best scammer I've run into so far. Sigh... Oh well. Ha. Maybe I should try to meet her in Bakersfield again. Eh, sounds like one way to get stabbed or something...

On the bright side, way for everyone to help each other not get fucked.

[theresap]

She was really good! I mean I almost bought the tickets before the verification was done because she sounded legit and I am sooooooo done being on this damn computer non-stop looking! So happy I didn't do that! Thank god my mind told my heart to shut up!

[renogirl1970]

Here's someone I found on CL in Reno selling 2 tickets for $200.00. It took him a week to respond back to me......So here is the email conversation we had:

ME:
If you still have them I will take them!?!?! Please call me at -------------Thanks

1 week later:

HIM:
Hello there
I apologize for not replying to you back sooner, been slammed with work and I had a buyer back out on me...

Anyway, if you're interested yes these are still available. We don't live locally, my family lives in Jasper, FL. We were goig but of course as luck would have it (thats sarcasm) I am going to be out of town on business for 5 weeks, so none of us are going.

I'm looking to do this long distance which I totally know is not the norm, I am pretty familiar with western union and fedex for payment & shipping, and have used them a couple times with success in the past. I think the important thing here is to establish some credibility between us, get on the phone, exchange some info, name, number, address, etc. so we feel a bit more comfortable, and can figure this out.

If you are interested please shoot me back an email with your cell # and Ill touch base probably later this evening or tomorrow.

Thanks & hope your weekend went well

Danny

Sent via Verizon Wireless Blackberry


ME:
If you are a real person then you would realize I gave you my number already. I would prefer to do this through paypal. Give me a call and we can figure this out. Also, can you send me all the info on the tickets so I can verify that they are real.

Thanks


HIM:
Hmm... And I also can detect snarky remarks and insults...

Go figure


ME:
You can’t blame a person. The scams going around are unbelievable. If you send me the info so I can verify the tickets then we have a deal. The price you are asking is below selling price and it just makes one wonder if it’s for real. I would be more than happy to pay you through paypal.


HIM:
You know Jona, I can blame a person. If I don't think someone is being genuine but I don't know, I don't talk disrespectfully to them. Either I inquire for more info or I thank them for there time and decline.

Why in the world anyone needs to be rude is beyond me.

Best of luck brother in all sincerity, but Ill sell these to someone else.

Danny


ME:
I did not wear my penis today, total taco here. Not being rude or disrespectful, just being honest!!

[mdmf007]

"total taco" I had to read that sentence a few times to get it,

ha!.

It was scam - kudos to you.

MDMF.

If this ticket fiasco happens next year my mate who owns an ebay store in the Seattle area and actually does good is going to broker tickets for burners at cost. he envisions it working like:

Any surplus tickets can be sent to his store and he will advertise them on his website (not on ebay) and charge 5 bucks over your costs to sell it on your behalf. He will verify them and accept the risk for getting burned on payment from buyers, paying you the stub price when he verifies it is real. Still a few kinks to work out Im thinking, but he spends hours a day playing xbox and selling shit online already so he definitely has the time. You could also come into his store and buy in person. He was even talking about financing for cash strapped burners...

[Savannah]

I'm looking to do this long distance which I totally know is not the norm, I am pretty familiar with western union and fedex for payment & shipping, and have used them a couple times with success in the past. I think the important thing here is to establish some credibility between us, get on the phone, exchange some info, name, number, address, etc. so we feel a bit more comfortable, and can figure this out.

That paragraph--and in particular, that weird little statement--is what would've made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, even without the total scammer's delight in wire transfers. It's just so unnatural. It's like when someone says "To be perfectly honest" . . . and then says something that doesn't sound right. It really highlights the weird flavor.

*shakes head*

I hope you can keep up the hard work, Renogirl. I respect your effort.

[Igneouss]

With tickets in demand anyone can sell them locally. Hence any response that is from far away is suspicious. I responded to a local CL add (Baltimore) and the responding guy claimed to be in Minnesota. That's all you need to set of the BS meter.

[mdmf007]

I particularly like:

"its my sisters ticket" "Its a friends ticket" etc. Then why the hell arent they selling it?

Western Union - Scam
Paypal - Possible scam
GreenDot - Probably a scam

[trilobyte]

FWIW, Western Union has a section of their site with info about Consumer Fraud. No, there doesn't appear to be any buyer protection, but there is a number and an email you can contact if you suspect someone is using Western Union to pull a scam. Check it here

[waywardvirtuoso]

I particularly like:

"its my sisters ticket" "Its a friends ticket" etc. Then why the hell arent they selling it?

I actually got my ticket last year from someone that was selling for a friend. He was "young" is what I was told... But the seller was upfront about everything, provided all info needed to verify the ticket (tho BM never got back to me on that one last year. it was a leap of faith with less scammers), accepted paypal, and even told me where she'd be camping so i could meet her on the playa. And then the kid whos ticket i got totally got it in FedEx to me right away. It was magical.

This year is just crazy with the scams going on. I can't imagine ALL of these people bought tickets thinking to scalp them or scam people. But then what... this is really just bringing out the worst in people? Both are sucky options.