How to spot CraigsList Scams

[TupperMom7]

Help! I have listed a couple things on Craigslist for my son and had no problem selling them, payment was fine, etc. I decided to sell a few things of my own on Craigslist and all I keep getting are responses that send up a red flag for me.

One guy wanted to know if the item was still available and I said yes. He then sent me an email saying that he was going to have his bank send me a check and that he was moving to the area and would have his movers come to pick it up if I would hold it for him after the check cleared.(it's an exercise bike). Then today I got another response asking if it was available and I said it might be because I still had not decided what to do about the first guy. Then this one emails me back saying that he's presently on vacation but will ask his assistant to prepare and mail my payment. And he is sure I will receive it in the next 3 - 7 business days. He will add $35 extra for me to keep it in my favour and also for the delay. He will pay me with a Money Order. If this is acceptable by me, Send him my info i.e my full NAME and ADDRESS for the payment and also a contact NUMBER. Arrangement for pick-up will be after I must have received and cashed the Money Order. Awaiting my info.

Doesn't something sound a little off with both of these?

I'm used to selling on Ebay - list it, people bid and win and pay on PayPal. Works or me. But the exercise bike is big and I would have had to list it as pick up only, which doesn't usually get as many hits and I'd have to pay all their stupid fees to list it. Craigslist is free, but does it always bring out the weirdos?

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Don't do a check. You should do cash only. There are alot of banks that won't even accept money orders nowadays.

I see red flags on both of these. I'd keep trying to sell it and not sell to either of these guys.

Craigs List can bring out the wierdos but it's usually an easy quick way to sell your stuff.

 

[beavismom]

Both are scams. Cash only is the way to go and any response that includes a scenario where the person is out of town, the country or whatever and can't come to pick it up is a scam. The last thing I listed got a response from someone who was supposedly in Iraq (who was going to send a money order for extra, blah, blah, blah). It made me laugh because this was an old fax machine I was getting rid of... what soldier in Iraq needs that and why would they be surfing Craigslist from over there anyway.

 

[TupperMom7]

Well the only thing is, what would they get out it? If the bank check was no good - the bank wouldn't cash it. Would they actually come and pick the item up?

 

[JoiseyMom]

Well the only thing is, what would they get out it? If the bank check was no good - the bank wouldn't cash it. Would they actually come and pick the item up?

They send you a money order or check that is bad...they make it for more money by accident and ask you to send the difference. People do this and by the time they find out the mo/check is bad..the person is out the money. It happens all the time.

 

[DisneyDazed]

look at the "avoid scams" warning on craigslist. They are both scams and obviously getting something so why bother. Cash only or you will regret it. If someone wants something bad enough they will come to you with cash.

People are weird... I was offering a 5 yr old maytag dryer and thought I would offer for a cheap 100 before the delivery people hauled it away. I stated the time and day they would have to pick it up as it would coincide with the new one being delivered. This guy wanted it.. Yet he wouldnt give me his phone number.. so we emailed then he said he wanted to come in my house the night befoe and just take it out themselves. I said no. the delivery people would since they are insured etc, not to mention I dont want strangers in my house. He said fine but got pissy... then wouldnt give me his number to set up the time. When the delivery people came and i STILL Hadnt heard from him with his number I had them haul it away as I wasnt going to risk having it sit in my driveway and this dumby not picking it up. When he found that out we went NUTS and threatened me and everything. SO ... one must be VERY cautious IMO

 

[happily single]

Yes those are scams. Same thing happened to a girl I work with. She was selling a piece of exercise equiptment. She was asking $40.00, to buy it new was $80. SHe got "someone" in Canada who wanted it and offered her $100. for it. Hello, that's more than it cost new Anyway he sent a "Money Order" which came UPS (not the Post Office because that becomes a federal crime). He said he was from Canada but the UPS package came from Florida and it was a Money Order from Texas. The Number amount on the check was for $200.00 but the words said $2,000.00. Opps. Of course as soon as she received the package he e-mailed her stating he overpaid and could she please refund him the difference.

She contacted the bank that the Money Order was from and they confirmed it was a scam. Never heard from the guy again.

My rule on Craigslist is-Cash Only, you pick up. No shipping.

 

[nd5056]

My rule on Craigslist is-Cash Only, you pick up. No shipping.

So is mine.

.

 

[mountdew1]

Well the only thing is, what would they get out it? If the bank check was no good - the bank wouldn't cash it. Would they actually come and pick the item up?

They hope to pick it up/get the extra money before the bank bounces the check. It is possible that even though your Bank cleared it, that when it actually gets to the issuing bank, they deny it. And you get left holding the bag.

 

[melc0305]

Take it from me, someone who did get scammed on Autotrader, these are both scams. Cash only, local pickup only.

Red flags are: people who ask you to take the listing down, so they can deal directly with you. Vague emails asking if "it" is still available - it will never say your specific item(s). Overpaying you. Paying with check, certified check, money order...anything other than cash. Anything involving Western Union.

Melissa

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

OP, I had the same scam pulled - the whole I'll have my movers pick up, bank check, etc. It was awhile back and we were still farily new to CL, so I'm glad it raised red flags for me. It was an air compressor my DH was selling, so it was a fairly pricey item too. I responded with, "As the ad states, cash and pick up only!"

 

[Mom of three]

Whats a check? Is that what they used back in the olden days?

 

[dmbrez67]

It seems to me craigslist should be for people in your own area to sell and swap items. I would be suspicious of anyone not offering cash.

 

[DSNY4ever]

wrong post- sorry, I thought I started a thread!

 

[Mom of three]

wrong post- sorry, I thought I started a thread!

Not neccessarily...maybe you can look for cheap/free Valentines Day gifts on Craigslist?

 

[seashoreCM]

Above all, don't send them back any change.

Sending a check for too much is an almost sure sign of a scam. The best thing to do is (eBay, Craigslist, included) to call off the sale. Now if you did deposit the check by accident, keep the change

 

[TupperMom7]

OP here. No, I have not received any payment. I haven't even given out my name or address or phone number to either of these two. I did respond to them after reading these replies and told them that we accept cash only. I haven't heard anything back. I'd like to think that the one with the moving van was legitimate....and had cash!

Should I report them to Craigslist or something?

 

[torinsmom]

I don't even allow people to come to my home. I almost always meet somewhere public. The one exception is when I was selling my son's Wii; I knew the buyer would want to see it hooked up and insure that it worked. One lady was surprised when I said we should meet somewhere public, since we were both women. I told her you never know that who you talk to is who is going to show up. Better safe than sorry!

You run into some scammers and some loonies on CL, but if you have the time to wait, it is a good way to sell things.

Marsha