wire transfers safe?

Having worked in the wire transfer department of a bank, I know that there are a wide variety of checks that a transfer has to go through in order to be verified, so it is less likely for a wire transfer to turn out bad than any other form of payment (credit cards have chargebacks, checks bounce, etc.).
However, any time you give out a routing and account number, you become susceptible to fraud. Setting up a "dummy" account is the best way to go. Most banks will offer you a free secondary account, and can even note it to stay open at a zero balance. I have two accounts for my audiophile dealings, one to serve as a hub for wire transfer activities, and the other as either the destination or source of wired funds.

I've had 3 overseas wire transfers -- and all were without a glitch. I opened an "audiophile" account per se with a few $$ in it. In two instances, one was a buyer in Peru & he wanted me to send the item to a shipping company in Miami (which I did, registered) & the second from a buyer in Portugal to a shipping company in NY (again, registered). Both items were not heavy -- cables. In both these instances, the buyers sent me a .pdf of their request -- it took 4 or 5 work days for the money to make it thru the international/US banking system.

Sounds like a scam to me. Just my 2cents. If he has an agent in Texas, he should wire the money to the agent, then have the agent send you a postal money order. Tell the seller, shipment of the item will take place once the money order has been cashed by the post office (in case they try to counterfeit a money order.)

A_L

For the most part, Yes.

If you are heads up about it, it is completely safe.
Merely open a checking account with $1.00 in it, and use the routing number of that account. Once the money has been transferred to said account, transfer all the money, except for the original $1, out of said account.

My two cents worth.

Careful, be very careful. Once you give your routing and account number to me for example, with just a phone call or two I can set up payments to third parties by ACH Debit. This is the way you pay for things over the phone by check. Your bank NEVER calls you to confirm an over-the-phone payment to the cable company, do they?

Either get an ACH Debit block on your account - meaning you'll never be able to pay by phone - or set up a new account and close it soon as the wire transfer hits.

I have a feeling that the wired money will never show. The key here is that your Brazilian friend is using a US bank as international banks are not in the ACH Debit network.

Wire transfers are the best/safest way to receive good funds, IMHO. (Even cash can be counterfeit). To be completely safe though, use a seperate account to receive the funds through, (paypal too!) then transfer the funds to your working account.

its not good to give a stranger a routing number. tell your bank, just in case.

Once money is transferred to your account..it becomes official..The sender has no recourse..I would verify with bank first before sending the unit..
good luck..