Craigslist SCAMS

[sjvcon]

Any of you out there who are selling large ticket items on Craigslist, be wary. I have gotten more inquiries on my quads that have turned out to be SCAMS. Someone sends a response that they want information about your item. Usually is it still available? Do you have pictures (even when they are posted in the ad)? What is the condition? When you respond they offer to buy it using Paypal and have a shipping company pick it up, as they are conveniently out of town. First one of these I got made me leery and I researched. What they do is reverse the charges by disputing the payment through their credit card once the merchandise is picked up by the shipper (who I am not sure is or isn't involved in the scam). Since that first one, I have had 5 more inquiries doing the same thing. One saying they wanted to buy my "car" ... these idiots can't even get it straight on a scam. Last one REALLY PISSED ME OFF as the guy claimed to be in the military and in Afganistan. Dead give away was that he responded to two different ads for similar items in EXACTLY THE SAME WORDING. Using a story that he was military and serving in a war zone really irked me ...

 

Just be wary. You should not accept Paypal for large ticket sales on Craigslist. They warn against it, and I'm here to tell you there are a bunch of scumbags out there trying to rip people off.

[pwrguy]

Thanks for the post. I was not aware this was going on. I do remember some very scam-like encounters when I was looking to purchase a quad on craigslist. Definitely do only face to face with the item in hand if at all possible.

[Snapshot]

Craigslist has become a real joke. The job section is bad too. Over 50% of job postings are fake. People Phishing for info and email adresses. One time I sold some stuff, and I kept getting responses if my computer was still for sale, and they were interested in overseas delivery. I did not advertise a computer. Alot of these originate from Nigeria, and Asia.

 

"I will send you a cashiers check for more than your asking price, but you have to send me a check for the difference" Yeah buddy, I just fell off a turnip truck.

 

In my adds I state that I will not respond to anyone that does not put their local phone number in the response. The scammers will still try and bait me.Then I really start to mess with them.

[loco4coues]

the scam works both ways both if you are selling stuff and buying stuff. When buying, they want all of your info. and for you to send payment through paypal. Then they will ship it to you etc. Be careful out there.

[CRAZYBUCK]

When I was selling my boat had a guy say I will have a moving company pick it up and I will sent you an echeck right off the bat I knew it was a scam so I went with it got the check and it was a company check so I called the company and talked to the owner and he said this guy is at it again the FBI had been workin on this guy for a while the FBI contacted me and I gave them a copy of all my emails to the guy don't know if they ever got him or not but if they want it shipped or want any personal info it's a scam if you can't meet me in person and don't have cash money I am not selling I even take one of the fake money pens with me

[echo co.]

3months ago i put my car fr sale on CL, one guy said he was out on the sea in a boat doing somekind of work with fish,whales,etc, offered to buy it for his dad &would have some company pick it up,send paypal ,i told him send $to dad &i can sign car over to him?never heard frm him since, awhile back a friend of mine had told me that her aunt sold a car on craiglist in PHX for 3000 later she deposit $ in bank &realize that $ was all fake lol talk about dumb criminals her aunt has the buyers info..becarefull whn using CL ..

[ShutYourLib]

Seem pretty tuff to stop someone from doing this. With or without a shipper anyone paying threw PayPal or a cc could dispute. I can't Stand dishonest people, cl could be such a cool way to buy and sell stuff too. Cash is king!

[azshtr]

Look at 419eater dot com. Those guys have fun messing with these low lives. Some funny stuff they get them to do. (419 is the criminal code they are breaking). Lots of them are from Nigeria and they use internet cafes which cost them money. The mindset is to use up there time chasing what they think is a big payout.

[JLW]

Seem pretty tuff to stop someone from doing this. With or without a shipper anyone paying threw PayPal or a cc could dispute. I can't Stand dishonest people, cl could be such a cool way to buy and sell stuff too. Cash is king!

 

+1

 

james

[Snapshot]

I just sold my PSE bow to a guy that responded to my craiglist add here in Tucson. He showed up at my place, drew the bow once, did not even hardly look at the bow, or try to negotiate a lower price. He pulled a wad of $20's out of his pocket, and I got real suspicous. I held everyone of the bills up to the sun to check for the indentifier strip. They were all legit.

[lucky2hunt]

This really spooks me! I've been looking to buy a boat on CL and have been concerned about some of the responses I have been getting to my inquiries.

[Snapshot]

This really spooks me! I've been looking to buy a boat on CL and have been concerned about some of the responses I have been getting to my inquiries.

 

A face to face, cash transaction, should not be a problem as long as the seller has clear title. Just ask for an I.D to match against the title when they sign the back of it. You can also check VIN numbers.

[200"mulie]

ya it seems its been getting worse. I only deal local and meet with them first then we will talk about payment.

[bonecollector]

I hate craigslist! People never show up when they say they will not even a call. Gets old so I stopped using it.

[sjvcon]

AND ... a couple more already ...

 

Man ... these SCAMMERS are relentless. Wished I had some way to track and trap them ...