Why would someone mail me counterfeit money orders?

[funhouse8]

I received a package yesterday from a company in Orlando. ( I thought my husband bought me an christmas present, I'm going to universal in Jan. LOL)
Anyway the package had two money orders in the amounts of 890.00 each. No letter or anything. We haven't sold anything on Ebay. While checking on line (I will call the company later) I discover that they aren't real. They are missing a very important seal. But what in the world can they gain by mailing me these? Can anyone tell me? Thanks I am stumped.

 

[Suellen]

Well they got you to research the company online and now potentially call them.

I'm guessing they are going to try and sell you something and now YOU called THEM.

 

[Jennasis]

Well they got you to research the company online and now potentially call them.

I'm guessing they are going to try and sell you something and now YOU called THEM.

I thought she researched the money order company.

Who would be trying to sell her something?

 

[Suellen]

We get all kinds of those ~ they usually are time share type things.

 

[Suellen]

So I did a quick google search and it seems like an internet scam. They send you the money orders and then you are supposed to cash them and keep 10% for your trouble and mail the money to someone. Most people are saying the moneygrams are followed up with and email?

Don't know... but a lot of people are also saying they bear the Albertson's logo.

 

[Allison]

They will soon contact you to say it was an error or some other lie and ask you to cash them and send them a check. You get to keep part of the amount to entice you to do this.

In the meantime they get your funds and disappear.

Of course, the company whose information they are using has no involvement in this but it makes the scammers look more legitimate.

 

[LuvOrlando]

The thieves are getting creative

 

[cm8]

They will soon contact you to say it was an error or some other lie and ask you to cash them and send them a check. You get to keep part of the amount to entice you to do this.

In the meantime they get your funds and disappear.

Of course, the company whose information they are using has no involvement in this but it makes the scammers look more legitimate.

 

[funhouse8]

The company is a legit company and it is not a timeshare thing. Do you think I should call them to let them know their name is being used? Also should I bring the money orders to the post office and let them have them. Not sure what to do. They were mailed UPS not post office but they are post office money orders. Thanks for all your help

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If they are Postal Money Orders, contact the nearest office of the Postal Inspection Service (look them up on Google, postalinspectors.uspis.gov or your local phone book). They will go after the bad guys. Save any materials that you have, especially the UPS label. They are actually the one Federal agency that really gets their bad guys.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The company is a legit company and it is not a timeshare thing. Do you think I should call them to let them know their name is being used? Also should I bring the money orders to the post office and let them have them. Not sure what to do. They were mailed UPS not post office but they are post office money orders. Thanks for all your help

I would throw them in the garbage. It is a scam.

 

[hambirg]

If they are Postal Money Orders, contact the nearest office of the Postal Inspection Service (look them up on Google, postalinspectors.uspis.gov or your local phone book). They will go after the bad guys. Save any materials that you have, especially the UPS label. They are actually the one Federal agency that really gets their bad guys.

This.

 

[Robinrs]

The thieves are getting creative

They're really not all that creative. This kind of scam has been going on for decades. Judge Judy has pawns of this kind of mess on regularly.

They aren't being creative, they know that every day there is a person who doesn't know about it, like the OP. If they send out enough they'll find someone to take the bait, and guess what? Someone will.

 

[terri01p]

 

[momrek06]

They're really not all that creative. This kind of scam has been going on for decades. Judge Judy has pawns of this kind of mess on regularly.

They aren't being creative, they know that every day there is a person who doesn't know about it, like the OP. If they send out enough they'll find someone to take the bait, and guess what? Someone will.

I was going to post this exactly.

I have seen this on Judge Judy several times. ONE.BIG.SCAM.

 

[happily single]

I recall reading that the reason the money orders are sent via ups and not the federal United States Post Service is because if they used the Post Office it would be considered a federal offense. Anyone else hear that?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I recall reading that the reason the money orders are sent via ups and not the federal United States Post Service is because if they used the Post Office it would be considered a federal offense. Anyone else hear that?

This is very true. But if they are counterfeit Postal Money Orders that in itself, not the method of delivery, makes it a Federal offense.

 

[agnes!]

That reminds me...I got a 'Nigerian scam' letter in the actual mail a week or two ago. If I can find it I suppose I should turn it in to the nearest Postal Inspector .

agnes!

 

[funhouse8]

It's not that I never heard of this scam. I was confused as to what they would gain by it. There was no letter with any instructions and if I can tell the money orders are phony who would even cash these? I called the company and yes there is a person with that name working there. The poor man has a list of names of people who also recieved these money orders on his desk. He also is confused at what the game is. He is a goverment worker too. So his company is working with the FBI to get to the bottom of this. I left a message with their fraud department and I am waiting for them to contact me.