Tips for Sellers
Please be aware of internet scams when using this website. Persons will often “shop around” until an innocent victim takes them up on their offer. In many cases scammers devise a legitimate sounding story or reason to pay with a 3rd party check from an inheritance or insurance settlement made out for more than the cost of the purchase with a request that the seller return the overage to them during the transaction. Sometimes they are “nice” enough to let you keep a small payment for your troubles. Sometimes they rush the transaction and want to use what looks like a legitimate personal check. This may include fraudulent certified checks, bank drafts, insurance drafts or lines of credit. Do NOT engage in this type of scam! Also use caution when the buyer is from overseas or the buyer states that he/she must purchase several horses quickly. Tips to minimize your risk of being scammed include:
- Don’t accept checks for purchases.
- Only accept a check during normal banking hours when funds may be verified (and verify the funds).
- Don’t accept third party checks or checks for more than the purchase amount.
- Don’t sell your horse to someone that wants to rush the transaction without inquiring about the animal itself.
- Don’t let the horse leave your property until the check has cleared.
- Ask the potential buyer about themselves, their intentions with your horse, their riding discipline, horse keeping experience, etc. This should be standard for any seller wanting to ensure a good fit for the horse and a legitimate buyer will want to tell you this information.
If you must take a check and before the “buyer” leaves, you may want to take down information such as:
- License Plate #
- Copy of driver’s license
- Birth date
- Picture of person and vehicle
- Consider using an ink pad to capture a thumbprint
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