"Do you want some free new equipment?" What is this scam??

[beppington]

Here at work last week, & then again Saturday, a guy in a minivan asked us "if we wanted some free new equipment" & that "his boss told him to just give it away".

What the heck? Anybody else heard of this?

Obviously it's baloney - Just wondered what the scam is?

My co-worker answered the door at work last week, & shoe'd him off, just saying, "No we don't need any".

Saturday I was actually on my tractor, & the guy stops me on the side of the road to make his pitch (I thought he was gonna ask for directions, is the only reason I stopped). He made his pitch, & I said, "No, I don't need any new equipment" & he didn't try to convince me or anything, just said OK & drove off.

It's about 15 miles between the two locations, so apparently they're scouring our area.

 

[beenthere]

If me, I'd take the license number if possible, but then call the local police. Just to let them in on it if they are not already. Might be a clue to something going on that fits their case info.

I'd guess the next step would be a need to either have you pay for shipping, or would need some earnest money paid down by you to hold the deal.

 

[forgeblast]

probably trying to get cash, and then come back and break in after they offer to put it in your barn for you so they can scope out your goodies...or they will call the cops on you and want a reward...either way does not sound good.

 

[deere755]

Sounds like the old saying. If it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Sounds like the old saying. If it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

Nothing is FREE...

 

[vsumoski]

Nothing is FREE...

Agreed, so what's with the 'free' tax software and even more 'free' credit repot dot com bs always on tv? These commercials have to cost lots, no? What's the scam?

Vince

 

[Sumpter]

I would start asking a lot of questions. Where is it from, why is it free, how can you afford to give it away, etc. Then see how nervous the guy gets, then report it as suggested above. There is some sort of scam there, or as also suggested above, may be a way to case out your property.

 

[stravis]

I guarantee the equipment was yellow and was Titan brand. They come to our office all the time (construction company) with the same pitch. They had too much on the trailer and the boss told them to just get rid of it before they come back to the warehouse. "We'll take $500 for the whole trailer full".

 

[jonyyuma]

probably trying to get cash, and then come back and break in after they offer to put it in your barn for you so they can scope out your goodies...or they will call the cops on you and want a reward...either way does not sound good.

This one would be my choice.....Or Hot goods,,,Jy.

 

[MMagis]

Agreed, so what's with the 'free' tax software and even more 'free' credit repot dot com bs always on tv? These commercials have to cost lots, no? What's the scam?

Vince

The tax software is free to a point. They "encourage" you to use them for both State and Federal taxes. For the one I used, Federal is free, State is not.
"Free" credit reports are free if you enroll in some program, which you pay for.

 

[jinman]

Agreed, so what's with the 'free' tax software and even more 'free' credit repot dot com bs always on tv? These commercials have to cost lots, no? What's the scam?

Vince

Did you get your TBN bill this month?:laughing:

 

[tallyho8]

Did you get your TBN bill this month?:laughing:

Jim, I'm sure you realize that reading this forum on TBN is not free. It has cost many of us quite a lot of money over the years,

 

[ren1pa]

For those who are interested in knowing about their credit, there is in fact a free site, made possible by the FTC allowing ONE FREE credit report per year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Click the following link for more information:

Your Access to Free Credit Reports

In addition, several of the computer tax programs do offer FREE, ONLINE basic tax preparation. You can then print and mail the completed forms yourselves. They will then probably offer to E-File the return for you; at a price however. (Usually $15-20)

Agreed, so what's with the 'free' tax software and even more 'free' credit repot dot com bs always on tv? These commercials have to cost lots, no? What's the scam?

Vince

 

[Western]

Did you get your TBN bill this month?:laughing:

You didn't get my check?? it's in the mail!

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I've told my kids that "Free" is an incomplete sentence. Everything that's free is either free IF, or free WITH.

TBN is free with ads. I for one try to click on the TBN ads if I see anything that interests me. I want very much for this site to be profitable for Muhammad and anyone else involved.

As for the free equipment scam, I can't think of what the deal would be. I'm interested to know if anyone has more information. It's obviously a scam, but I share the OP's curiosity about what the scam is.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

So, my curiosity got the better of me. I did some research. According to the website below it's some kind of scam to get your bank account.

Churches Cheated in Opportunity Scam | BCP Business Center

It will be a deal where you pay for the equipment and some crook in Nigeria will send you worthless checks to re-imburse you. It sounds like they have it figured out where the first few checks will actually clear, and then they clean out your bank account.

I'd love to bait those crooks and see to it that they rot in Jail. We can't do anything for the crooks overseas, but the guys in the states peddling the bad stuff are surely subject to our laws.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Agreed, so what's with the 'free' tax software and even more 'free' credit repot dot com bs always on tv? These commercials have to cost lots, no? What's the scam?

Vince

Well, I know that the "free" credit reports are not actually free...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Jim, I'm sure you realize that reading this forum on TBN is not free. It has cost many of us quite a lot of money over the years,

That it has...

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Well, I know that the "free" credit reports are not actually free...

This is the one that's free... https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Everything else is a ploy to get your personal information so it can be sold to advertisers.

 

[bky]

Doesn't it count against your score every time you credit is checked?
also I am skeptical about putting my SS number on the net even it says it is a secure web site.
has anyone received theirs online?