Had an email from somebody a couple of weeks ago asking if I could complete some I.T Work for them as they were busy in Ireland.
They wanted 9 laptops cleaning and reinstalling etc and would ship them to me along with a cheque for the amount I quoted.
I asked them where the laptops were and they said Barcelona. This raised my suspicions as I'm in the Costa del Sol, and also paying by cheque, so I read through the emails again and noticed slight mistakes in the language used.
I then Googled the email address that the email was from [email protected] and found they had been trying rental scams as well.
Apparently they send you a cheque for an amount over what was agreed which you then bank and send them the overpayment back but the cheque they sent you then bounces.

Just thought I'd let people know especially if they have their own business.

That is a new variation on a very old scam technique.

True. I've got a "mistery shopper" (their spelling not mine) outfit who keep e-mailing me wanting my postal address so they can send "my" payment. I'm tempting to give it to them and see what happens. I'm aware its a scam, but part of me wants to play the game - altho I wont be losing any of my money!!?? [email protected] is their e-mail address for the record!

Jo xxx

I think the golden rule is to ignore anything involving payments via cheques, they invariably bounce, then you're left with loss of money AND police charges for fraud.

I received that loads of times, I can't believe anyone falls for it to be honest.

Every now and then you hear someone falls for it. Always keep in mind, too good to be true...

A while ago a cheque was cashed by my account and wasn't mine! I went straight to the bank because I was terrorised it would bounce, it turned out it was a genuine mistake of the bank cashier. Still, it pays to be vigilant.