Attempted scam; What to do?

Alright, I posted my old computer for sale on craigsist. After a couple of days someone emailed me saying they would buy it, send me a check in the mail then pick it up. I thought it sounded kinda fishy, but my mom thought nothing of it so I thought "whatever". So I sent them where to send the check/money order, and everything was fine. Until today, I check my email and see that "she" sent me this email:

So apparently the check/money order is in the mail already, I know it's a scam, but I'm not sure what to do after I receive it. Shred it up, send the check/money order back? Or bring it to the local police department. So if someone could help me decide what the best thing to do would be I'd appreciate it, since I've never encountered a problem like this.

 

Take it to the police to avoid any bad situations

 

Thats a mistake on there part if i was you i would cash the check and wait and if they dont reply spend the money

 

I'm unsure what the situation here is.

Are you saying that the person is lying about sending the money? If so, then just ignore him or her; there's no situation. If you actually receive the money and you feel like it's a scam, don't deposit the check. If you receive too much money, then either deposit what you rightfully deserve and refund the rest, or return the full payment and tell him or her to resend the correct amount.

 

I'd take it to the police department.

They sound like a scam to me, trying to make the email look really sad.

Take it to the police man.


BTW: Don't take cash via Western Union. Most unsafe payment method EVER.

 

I'd just give you some advice, don't accept cheques. It could easily not go through and you've been ripped off. Also, the below could happen;

1. He sends you a cheque with more money than they should of done.
2. You send him a cheque back, refunding him what you owe him.
3. He doesn't cash the cheque, meaning you can't cash the cheque.
4. You've been ripped off.

 

From what I read from the email, your supposed to subtract the money they owe you and send back the rest? Unless I'm looking at it the wrong way, it doesn't look like a scam. However, you should bring it to the police department though. If they are trying to scam/ commit fraud, the police could follow up and you might even be able to see if that person has tried this to other people.

 

Destroy the cheque, he will make up some bs when he takes you to court and say that you were over paid and you agreed to pay some of it back (and use e-mail as proof), just stay away, he's clearly looking for trouble.