Beware of Western Union SCAM

[Tiki Bar]

Please know your seller, or take steps to meet in person if possible.

Someone is trolling the boards, claiming to have tickets for sale, and asking for Western Union payment.

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=46375

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=46547

NEVER, EVER send payment to someone via Western Union..... or for that matter, ANY OTHER form of wire transfer (MoneyGram, etc...).

I'd almost be willing to bet my entire monthly salary that it would end up being a scam! The reason they ask to be paid that way is because there is absolutely NO recourse for the buyer to get their money back! You'd be safer giving out your credit card #, because most cards offer protection for fraudulent charges.

[f2cdlzrd]

Well, I know I should know better and I do, but I really wanted Buffett tickets to Cincinnati. I posted a want ad here and someone (LC) sent me an email claiming to have tickets side by side in section 700, row FF. We decided on $230. I sent a money order and emailed a tracking number. I asked about COD but they claimed to be Christian (which really p*** me off because I am and would never default anyone) and said they would send me the tickets. Well, that was May 2 and I still do not have my tickets. We have emailed back and forth but now the person claims to have just gotten out of the hospital, had to give my $230 to help a friend avoid eviction and now says the post office lost the tickets and they have written to Ticketmaster asking for replacements (like that will ever happen). Anyway, enough of my sob story it just makes me very upset as President of the Western North Carolina Parrothead Club to know that people used my hero to make a fool out of me. I have no desire now to even go to Cincy and that is sad. Don't let this happen to you.

Fins down for now,
Steph

[SchoolGirlHeart]

Well, I know I should know better and I do, but I really wanted Buffett tickets to Cincinnati. I posted a want ad here and someone (LC) sent me an email claiming to have tickets side by side in section 700, row FF. We decided on $230. I sent a money order and emailed a tracking number. I asked about COD but they claimed to be Christian (which really p*** me off because I am and would never default anyone) and said they would send me the tickets. Well, that was May 2 and I still do not have my tickets. We have emailed back and forth but now the person claims to have just gotten out of the hospital, had to give my $230 to help a friend avoid eviction and now says the post office lost the tickets and they have written to Ticketmaster asking for replacements (like that will ever happen). Anyway, enough of my sob story it just makes me very upset as President of the Western North Carolina Parrothead Club to know that people used my hero to make a fool out of me. I have no desire now to even go to Cincy and that is sad. Don't let this happen to you.

Fins down for now,
Steph

so you MAILED money..... That's mail fraud and he can be prosecuted. You might want to point that out to him, and if that doesn't get you tickets, point it out to the authorities.

[Y-NO-9-O]

so you MAILED money..... That's mail fraud and he can be prosecuted. You might want to point that out to him, and if that doesn't get you tickets, point it out to the authorities.

Plus the fact that he is using email as his vehicle for the fraud, Yahoo could have a liability in this mess too. You may be able to get his actuals (real name, address, etc) by way of a court order. Use the free 1 hour consultation that almost every lawyer gives nowadays and see what kind of recourse you may have. It may cost more than the tickets, but wouldn't it feel great if you brought this son of a bastage down?

[cltbrewcrew9]

If someone named Bill Ross (or Rosse) contacts you from the email address rossbill66@yahoo.com just ignore it. He's a Western Union scammer!
I about got scammed because the girl at the counter told me MTCN was required...well, for that particular Western Union desk it was, but it's not everywhere. She was a young girl and thought that held true for all Western Union agents.

If he gets smart and uses another address and name here are the warning signs:

1) If you do happen to hear him out, the "Control Number" or "MTCN" number is NOT required for someone to pick up money. He'll try to tell you it is and make you feel ok about sending money because he tells you to keep that number from him until you see your tickets.
2) He will say he will have to talk you through filling out the Western Union form. You're an adult, you can fill it out yourself.
3) He will say that the payment will be COD to FedEx via an "escrow service" from Western Union. Western Union DOES NOT do the escrow thing.

As everyone knows...and now I know for sure...if someone you don't know mentions Western Union...tell them to shove it as there is no real protection once they get your money. I know the site warns you at the top that most of them are scams...I just figured spelling this scenario out in a little more detail might help.

PS..any LEGIT folks out there have any extra Raleigh lawns??

[ironman]

This bill ross is still in the business of scamming - he had great seats for the pittsburgh show at a great price - fortunately it was a too good to be true offer - so we politely told him no thanks - gotta admit he almost had us - he has quite the sales pitch - beware

[RyGuyRCA]

He contacted me as well for tickets to the September 6 show in Mansfield MA with tickets in section 2 Row C... Same email address as stated above and a wonderful BS story with a price that was obviously too good to be true... buyer beware...

[coladog671]

So I just got scammed by the a**hole Bill Ross. Yep I wish I would have checked the discussion boards b4 I got scammed. Yeah everything he said seemed legit and so i went with it. I had back surgery in august of 07 and still have not gone back. I am not going back until July. I have very limited funds and now have to pay back money to 6 people. It makes me mad that people actually do this. My friend has used this site before and I know there are peole here that are good. It sucks because I still want tix to detroit but now I am scared to death to do anything else. Thanks alot a**hole scammers....you s***!!! Please beware everyone who comes in contact with this guy. TOTAL a**hole!!!!

[Tomsailedaway]

Got called yesterday guy said he had 10 tickets for detroit would send them fed ex through company I needed to go to Western Union and set up payment. He had a sob story how a bunch of people backed out. He told me his name was Joe Frey from Miami florida. If Joe Frey is not a scammer I apologize just sounds similiar. I told him I heard of western union ticket scam he said that involved printed tickets and I would have real tickets in my hand before agreeing to payment.

[green1]

Got called yesterday guy said he had 10 tickets for detroit would send them fed ex through company I needed to go to Western Union and set up payment. He had a sob story how a bunch of people backed out. He told me his name was Joe Frey from Miami florida. If Joe Frey is not a scammer I apologize just sounds similiar. I told him I heard of western union ticket scam he said that involved printed tickets and I would have real tickets in my hand before agreeing to payment.

Run away, or pay with some form of payment that will allow you to get your money back if it is a scam. But my advice is to run away.

[SonOfASailor27]

hey guys,, i am new to the site, and have tried everything in my power to get RALEIGH lawn tickets,,

but like an idiot i did not read this forum,,, i was in contact with a guy named LARRY LANE, and also LARRY MOORE,, so beware of these guys,, it cost me 213 dollars.. not the end of the world,, but when your 22 and trying to take a girl to see jimmy buffett, it is,, now i have to let her down and i know she will be very disappointed,,,

all i can say is,, if you talk to anyone about WESTERN UNION,, RED FLAG should go up,, its going to be a scam, one that i fell victim too. its really sad that this happens, but obviously these people aren't parrotheads, because they wouldn't be doing,, (hahaha),,

anyway, i hope everyone reads this and does not fall victim to this as many other before me have,,

also,, i was given a 305 area code number,
and an address of Miami, Florida.

so just be careful guys,,

-Dennis

[SMLCHNG]

Sorry everyone..

[SummerByTheLakeside]

Yeah, jerkwad tried to scam me, too. He got a nasty email from me in response.

[UpstateNYPH]

If anyone gets asked to use Walmart Moneygram, also be aware. It is basically Walmart's version of Western Union. I was contacted today and was asked to use it for tickets at a price and location too good to be true, so I didnt even bother...

[TikiBarOpen]

Successfully avoided a scam today for Chicago,(suburbs) August 14th show. Said she had 4 - third row center section; but when it came time for details - gave me an ebay id from Indiana when she said, through her Gmail account, that she lived in Texas. That plus the Western Union (no Paypal) sending of money to London was enough for me. I forwarded her emails to Ebay and they confirmed it was a phishing scam. Beware - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

[bonefish]

Please take caution whenever buying tickets from anyone online via Craiglist or whatever.

These crooks are pretty sophisticated these days and have figured out the answers to all your questions that you think will uncover a scam. They'll talk to you on the phone, have friendly email conversations, make you like them, etc. And, as much as you want to believe they are good people and the deal is legit the old saying "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" always applies.

So, the best way to avoid being scammed is to
1) Always make the exchange in person
2) if you buy the tickets from someone at the show and they're computer print out tickets, try to walk in with that person (new scam is to simply copy tickets on a copier and sell the same ticket many times over)
3) NEVER, EVER send money to someone via Western Union, Wal-mart, etc. That is a guaranteed scam and you will lose your money.
4) If you still want to try and get tickets through the mail, insist on COD so you can check the tickets. If the seller won't do this, it's a scam no matter what excuse they use for not doing COD.
5) If they say the live in Miami and can't meet you in person, tell them you're visiting Miami next weekend and will do the exchange (that'll be the end of the email conversation).

[dnw]

Please take caution whenever buying tickets from anyone online via Craiglist or whatever.

These crooks are pretty sophisticated these days and have figured out the answers to all your questions that you think will uncover a scam. They'll talk to you on the phone, have friendly email conversations, make you like them, etc. And, as much as you want to believe they are good people and the deal is legit the old saying "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" always applies.

So, the best way to avoid being scammed is to
1) Always make the exchange in person
2) if you buy the tickets from someone at the show and they're computer print out tickets, try to walk in with that person (new scam is to simply copy tickets on a copier and sell the same ticket many times over)
3) NEVER, EVER send money to someone via Western Union, Wal-mart, etc. That is a guaranteed scam and you will lose your money.
4) If you still want to try and get tickets through the mail, insist on COD so you can check the tickets. If the seller won't do this, it's a scam no matter what excuse they use for not doing COD.
5) If they say the live in Miami and can't meet you in person, tell them you're visiting Miami next weekend and will do the exchange (that'll be the end of the email conversation).

Thanks for the info.

[OriginalTinCup]

I am a registered member of the BN board (but I do not post very frequently). I am a long-standing member of the M'Ville board (Tin Cup).

Can anyone explain why it would be that I cannot post a "new post" under the Ticket Exchange topic?

I have two good pavilion tickets (hard tickets, not self printed) for Camden (6/23) - Sec 202: Row Q, Seats 9 & 10. Per BN Ticket Exchange (and good PH manners) they are at cost, i.e. $136.00 + $21 in TM fees and shipping = $157/ea. I will be happy to provide all the confirmable personal contact information needed to any intersted party, i.e. email, home and cell phone numbers, address, etc.

I do not use PayPal (though I have an account). I'm thinking/would prefer a face-to-face (prior to or day-of-show transaction; cell phone coordination). You can hang your hat - and bet your farm - on my integrity and personal reputation. If someone wants the tickets I guarantee I will personally deliver them.

I just got lucky this year on-line and since I had the opportunity I bought a few extra tickets for friends in case they weren't so lucky I have these two available (all our PH freinds are now covered). Re-selling tickets therefore is not my thing.

I would like to post this info. as a stand-alone post under Ticket Exchange. Can anyone tell me why I can't do that as a registered BN board member? Who do I need to contact - is there a special procedure, permission, er what?

Any assistance will be most appreciated.

[sunseeker]

It looks like that a ticket exchange was never set up for Camden. I'll see if I have the permissions to create it for you....

[sunseeker]

Go Here and click on Post reply (not new topic)--- You shuld be able to post your tix there

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=85788&start=20