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Possible scam (by Annette R.):

I have received an offer on my time share via email from a private party. After we agreed on a price which was a bit less than I was asking, and that he would pay closing costs. He said he said he wanted to close immediately and had a broker to do the closing. I gave him my address and phone number for the broker to contact me. The following day, he sent me an email that he had to go away for several weeks due to a health problem, but still wanted to buy the timeshare. He had tried to contact his broker, but found that he was out of the country on business. So he left a message for him with all the information, including how to contact me. Then, to insure that I did not sell to anyone else, he had gone to the bank and had a cashier's check sent to me for the purchase price PLUS his closing costs. He asked that when I received this check, I deposit it and wait for the broker to contact me, whereupon I could then deduct my deposit and send him the rest for the escrow and closing costs. I would then receive the balance due me when the closing was finalized. This was quite disconcerting to me for several reasons. First I was disturbed that he would do this without checking with me first (although he did say it was an emergency situation and he had to make speedy arrangements). Secondly, why would this total stranger send me a cashier's check for several thousand dollars and trust me to do the right thing? Next, not only did I not feel comfortable being an intermediary in making the escrow payment, I was also concerned about being held responsible if the check got lost. Since he said he would be available by email, I sent him an email with my concerns and asked if he had sent the check by registered mail. I also realized that the only information I had was his name and email address. So I asked for the name of his bank and the name of the broker's company. (He had given me a person's name and city, but that's all). His response was that although he had sent the check by regular mail, he was sure it would not get lost. He did not answer my other questions. I have not yet received the check although it has only been two days. So it would likely not be here until next week. In the meantime, it all seems a bit fishy to me. My bf thinks this is a scam and that if the check comes, I should return it and cancel the deal. I think that if the check arrives, I could contact the bank to insure that it is good, and if so, should hold it until I hear from the broker. Meanwhile, in trying to find out if this is a scam, I wondered if anyone has had a similar experience. Thanks.