scams, scams and more scams

[Tiggeroo]

If you are not careful and smart there are scammers everywhere. Recently I have had to search help wanted for several things. I found that on Craigs list and the local paper online classified there were people advertising selling of cars, puppies and apartments all of which were a scam. They were looking for ways to conduct their business via pay-pal or ebay and it was clearly a rip-off. But they are so good at what they do that if you weren't just a bit savvy you would be taken advantage of. If you have slightly older not too tech smart relatives you might want to warn them.

 

[EMom]

I wanted to buy a Siberian kitten because of my allergies but ran into so many scammers that I'll probably just get a kitten at the pound and eat antihistamines for the next 20 years.

 

[bicker]

Yup, I'm very suspicious of eBay, Craig's List, and all the rest.

 

[Tiggeroo]

There are many legitimate people on ebay and craig's list. It has just recently become the new place for all of those nigerian scammers to try to do business. It's a shame. If you are careful you can avoid it. We looked for a used car. If you read the replies carefully you could see they sounded the same. Why would you send somebody money to have a used car shipped to you sight unseen. They are using an ebay motors guarantee to make it sound legitimate.
We are looking for a puppy and I only searched locally because, of course I planned on picking the puppy up. All of these scammers are selling popular brands for a bit less then most breeders. Again, there is always a reason you can't pick them up. They try to feel you out to see where youl live first and then pick somewhere too far for a call ride.
They have gotten better at it and they look more legitimate with less translation errors. The people you have to be careful about are probably elderly people and teens who are more inclined to believe what they read and not realize it's too good to be true.

 

[IFLOSIRI]

IF YOU BUY ON EBAY LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT THE PERSON HAS SOLD AND PERCENTAGE OF SATISFAction

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I've been posting my parents' vacation home for rent on Craiglist and fielding the e-mail replies. If someone is serious about renting and their dates are open, I have them call my mom to arrange the payment and receive the keys. Last year, we got two legitimate renters. This year, we've had none!

I get these weird e-mail replies where someone wants the exact name, address and phone number of the owner so they can send payment without even talking to anyone or finding out what dates are available. We tell them to call directly and they come up with stories about not having time since they just had a death in the family. They want us to give them the info. so they can send a check. Of course, if we gave them the info., the check would be for way over the required amount and they would ask us to wire them the excess and they'd run with it! We absolutely don't rent to anyone we haven't personally spoken with. We never give out more than a phone number over e-mail. And I've gotten to were I can smell the scams right away and don't even respond to the fishy messages. It's really too bad because Craigslist could be a really valuable resource.

 

[terri01p]

.

 

[EMom]

They will often have a reason (medical, usually) that they cannot actually SPEAK to you on the phone. No, it has to be by email. The scam Siberian kitten sellers seem to all suffer from vestibular schwannoma......And it's rapidly getting more serious, so they are in dire need of surgery. Gee, I wonder if the Siberian kittens are "carriers" of vestibular schwannoma?

 

[Disney Daddy et al]

I no longer sell on E-bay due to fees but I still buy alot. Vacations,toys,video games,HM pins,specialty items. Not one bad experience. As for Craigslist I "do" suggest using caution when buying or selling. I have done both but when I lived in Ohio it was much safer and reliable.
Here in Florida it is a different story. I only buy on CL so far but responses are very sporadic. Most times I never hear back from a seller or they say they will meet and do not show up. Either way I will continue to use both.
I buy stuffed animals to give out at the parks when I see a child or parent having a rough day. The bottom line is this. Use good judgement and caution when dealing with anyone online or in person. Always meet in a public place and take a friend if possible. Finally never give out your personal info EVER.
Dollars and Sense doesn't hold a candle to just a bit of the "Common" variety.
Have a great day

 

[Robinrs]

The old saying goes "a fool and his money..."

Sadly, these people prey on people EVERYWHERE. And everyday there is a person who is not aware and falls for it.

I deal with CL and eBay every day. I sell and buy. You can smell a scam a mile away. I was also able to smell scams on the street and in the mail. Whatever avenue they use it's buyer beware.

My neighbor's house was up for sale and lo and behold, someone had a pic of it on Craigslist with it for rent. As a joke I answered the ad. This loser sent me a highly badly worded email about being unable to maintain the home because he had to move to West Africa but I sent him the deposit he would mail me the keys... My neighbor and her realtor were FLOORED!

eBay protects their PayPal customers WAY more than the sellers. I've been on both sides, happy as a buyer, not so happy as a seller because they always take their word over yours.

I will continue to use them. No vehicle of exchange can avoid scams, it's the nature of the human beast.

 

[Robinrs]

There are many legitimate people on ebay and craig's list. It has just recently become the new place for all of those nigerian scammers to try to do business. It's a shame. If you are careful you can avoid it. We looked for a used car. If you read the replies carefully you could see they sounded the same. Why would you send somebody money to have a used car shipped to you sight unseen. They are using an ebay motors guarantee to make it sound legitimate.
We are looking for a puppy and I only searched locally because, of course I planned on picking the puppy up. All of these scammers are selling popular brands for a bit less then most breeders. Again, there is always a reason you can't pick them up. They try to feel you out to see where youl live first and then pick somewhere too far for a call ride.
They have gotten better at it and they look more legitimate with less translation errors. The people you have to be careful about are probably elderly people and teens who are more inclined to believe what they read and not realize it's too good to be true.

I flag my ads and they show you what countries are watching your item. If I put something up for over $75 I immediately get a bunch of viewers from Nigeria. I imagine a huge room of people hired to scan all CL ads over $75!