Laura Blackburn Attempted scam on horse trailer purchase Statesville North Carolina

Contacted by "Laura Blackburn" via phone. She stated she wanted to purchase my 2015 horse trailer for a client. She would send a cashiers check as a deposit and pay the balance in cash via her shipper/picker. I stated I would not meet with the shipper/picker until the deposit check cleared my bank.

She texted me on Tuesday, January 24th that the check had been mailed. Check arrived on January 25th. Unmarked envelope (no return address). I deposited. I notified her the next day, January 26th that the check had arrived. She responded that she was glad I got it, to please cash it, and her shipper/picker would meet with me on Monday, January 30th with the balance and arrange for pick up. The next day, January 27th, I received a text stating her husband had surprised her with a brand new trailer for her birthday. As she was in a good mood, and sorry for any inconvienence, for me to decuct $500.00 for any hassle she had caused and to send the balance to her that day. I texted back, that as my bank had told me the check had cleared and the hold on the funds released, I would reimburse her, minus the $500.00. To forward her complete name and address. She then proceeded to specify how the reimbursement would be sent, four individual money orders, $1000.00, $1000.00, $1000.00, and $450.00 and that it was to be sent FedEx overnight delivery. She provided an address. She also wanted to know when I was going to FedEx.

I responded, via text, that I was unable to just up and go to the bank as I was at work. That this was spur of the moment notification. She asked if I was aware of when FedEx closed etc. I said I understood, but hoped she understood as well. She then texted me that to save me some time, to send if via USPS by next day air. She then requested that I text her copies of the Money Orders and the receipt and the overnight tracking number.

As my warning bells had been going off from the very beginning, I responded, via text, that I had just received notification from my bank that the funds clearance had, in fact, NOT been verified. That as soon as I received verification, I would comply with her request and refund her immediately. Her response, via text, was asking when the bank estimated it to be available and that it "usually only takes 24 hours". 

No contact was made on Saturday, January 28th. On Sunday, January 29th she texted me with just a "Hi, how are you?" message. I responded with I was fine, that I would be calling my bank the following day, Monday, to verify clearance of funds from the bank the "cashiers" check was drawn on.

I received no further contact from "Laura Blackburn". Funds were withdrawn from my account on Wednesday, February 1st as the issued check was returned.