Craigslist scammer........

[IronFreak]

Ok,

A little help from the community would be great. I have a BEAUTIFUL, very sweet wife that loves to help people. We started a daycare and she has gotten most of her clients by word of mouth. We wanted to up the numbers so I helped her put together a CL ad that keep location and our clients information very private.

She got an e-mail about a week ago from a "guy" in "California" that was moving to the area for a year with his wife and daughter. It's all a scam, I know it know that she's shown me the emails......anyways. My wife not reading into it replied with all our information, where we live, phone numbers ect......

She gets an email today saying they're coming and want to start without ever meeting us or reading and signing our contract. Also, they're sending a check for $2900 (a random number never discussed according to my wife) and we MUST deposit it before they arrive. (NOT GOING TO DO THIS EITHER)

I have found other posts on CL all over the country where this person sends the same email asking the same information. Here is my concern.

The date they said they are going to show up we had scheduled to be out of town for our anniversary. I'm really kind of freaked out that we aren't going to be home and some random person I don't know, knows exactly where I live and haS said in an e-mail they're going to be at my house while I'm gone.

What do you guys think? I love my wife, but HER kindness got the best of her in this one......

[anabolice30]

Tell all your neighbors, install CCTV cameras, rent a pitbull or something. Sorry man :/ idk what else to tell you.

[IronFreak]

Rig a shotgun to the front and back door hahaha

[motomaster99]

Chances are nobody will show up on that date. But in case they do you must know someone that's an honorably discharged (clinically insane) marine that would love to watch tv at your house for the day...

Relocate any valuables and leave the house unlocked (saves broken glass if they want to get in they will).

My .02

[fronton]

1. they don't know you are planning to be gone then
2. since it is a scam, that is a made up date by which they hope you deposit said bogus check and will not be showing up regardless

[Vtec?lol]

rent a pitbull or something.

lol

Dude don't worry too much. Make sure you're up on your insurance in case someone sacks the place.

They're really just trying to get you to cash the check so they'll automatically gain access to your bank information.

They wont show up. unless they're really willing to buy a plane ticket from africa to your city.

[Cosmic Serpent]

Its unlikely that the person is going to show up, with these types of scams there more interested in you cashing or depositing the check.

http://www.fakechecks.org/prevention-faqs02.html

Hopefully this is the case in your situation, if your still worried about it get a friend to house sit while your away just to be on the safe side. But chances are the person trying to scam you isn't even on the same cost let alone the same country.

[IronFreak]

I figured. I need to go home and look at the rest of the e-mails. I love my wife, but she needs to realize that there are some really messed up evil people in the world. I guess growing up in small town Nebraska shelters you from that.

[ST1G]

Seriously, they aren't going to come by. I wouldn't worry at all about it. Its just the common CL scam.

like others have said, they are looking for you to cash the check. They can't spell right, let a lone put your address into a GPS.

[IronFreak]

Its unlikely that the person is going to show up, with these types of scams there more interested in you cashing or depositing the check.

http://www.fakechecks.org/prevention-faqs02.html

Hopefully this is the case in your situation, if your still worried about it get a friend to house sit while your away just to be on the safe side. But chances are the person trying to scam you isn't even on the same cost let alone the same country.

I'm worried because my wife has to have a certified backup to watch the daycare while we are gone. We won't be closed for that period. I was more worried for the sub and the clients that would be at the house. The more I look into it I figure its a Western Union scam. I found multiple people asking about the same person in New York and Arizona.

[Vtec?lol]

I've always wondered if there was a way to cash those checks to where you wou;dn't be held responsible

[IronFreak]

Open a fake account? cash and close hahaha

[Vtec?lol]

Open a fake account? cash and close hahaha

Time to sucker some nigerians!

[Thizzelle]

anyone who walks by your house is a random person who knows where you live

[e30vert]

anyone who walks by your house is a random person who knows where you live

Too much logic in this statement! LOL!

In all seriousness. Use this as a wake up call.

If you have not already make sure that the day care is well insured. Not necessarily from theft or vandalism , but more so for the safety of the children that are "entrusted" to your wife and your care.
Make sure there is a first aid kit that is up to date and has proper supplies that are not old and crusty. Like most of the First Aid Kits I have opened in my day.
Install a web connected camera or cameras that monitor your front area where there is entry and egress. No excuses here. I installed 2 in front of my place that run 24/7 and have a direct web feed as well as recording for about 200 dollars. Well, I did own all the computers used to setup the system so I guess that cost should be factored in.
These serve 2 purposes. They document any potential issues that arise with clients children or clients themselves.
They are also a large deterrent to potential scum.

Actually set a date and time with your wife to attend to these areas of concern. Make it a hard and fast date that must be adhered to that you both participate in.

Taking the lead in this way will show excellent foresight and planning. Something that cannot help but be appreciated and respected by your wife.

So in addition to making your environment safer you also earn "wife points"!

That's a win-win!

Hope all works out for the best!