Craigslist Scams
Craigslist and other online classified service scams are both rampant and varied. That said, typical Craigslist cons inevitably involve requests for personal information, queries as to whether you’ll accept uncommon payment methods (such as cashier checks or money orders), and/or claims that Craigslist itself will offer payment protection. And let’s not forget the old “overpayment” routine, wherein the “buyer” proposes to pay even more than is asked, again by check or money order, on the basis that you reimburse him or her for the extra bucks. Of course, said check or money order will be as legit as a $3 bill. One other thing – if the dude interested in your $10 blender lives overseas, you best look for another buyer.
But craigslist scams are by no means confined to email. If you include your phone number with your ad, you can expect unwanted verbal contacts too. We placed an advertisement for a 1998 minivan and fielded several automated calls from a purported “service” and a ridiculously friendly representative who made us feel all fuzzy about our amazing vehicle by saying he had at least five people ready to buy it, today, at a premium price. Too bad then that the entry fee for said service was $200. Even worse – we checked into the originating telephone number and found only the comments of other frustrated potential victims.
And of course, sellers aren’t the only ones being scammed. We tried to arrange a get-together with a fellow who was seemingly selling a legit set of speakers. Our first clue something was amiss? When he waffled on the model number and wasn’t sure if he’d purchased them outright or received them as a gift. And then there was the uncertainty over his address. He first told us he lived ten minutes south. Two days later, he lived north of us. Ultimately, we were asked to meet him at a nearby intersection. In his “buddy’s car.” ‘Nuff said.
How to avoid:
• Take care when responding to names and messages that are clearly unusual. We advertised several tech- and computer-related items and several weeks later were besieged by parties with strange, all-uppercase monikers such as “CASE RAFAEL” and “NICHOLAS MIDDLETO,” each suggesting we enroll in an online course teaching us how to “market through Google.” It didn’t help the scammer’s cause when we were informed we’d be served on a “first come, first severed” basis. Ouch!
• Craigslist clearly states that it does not play a role in or guaranty any transaction. Thusly, don’t ever believe someone when they say Craigslist has their back.
• Sure, you may get the odd person out of county or out of state who honestly wants what you’re selling. But, as Craigslist maintains, the majority of distant “buyers” aren’t buyers at all. If you do deal with someone far away, do so only on the basis that the payment arrives in cash or that it clears fully before you ship the item.
• Do you due diligence. Learn about the item you want before you go shopping. Check online reviews. Realize its durability and weaknesses, and ask the seller pointed questions in that direction.
• Online classified services are great places to offload hot items. Quiz the seller as to where and when they purchased the goods and look for credible, quick responses. Ask the model number. Ask for the receipt if they say they received an item as a gift. Tell them you want to see your prospective purchase in action before you commit. In short, don’t leave anything to the imagination.
• Do not hand out your personal financial or banking information to anyone at anytime.
• The best advice of all? Involve yourself only in local, face-to-face transactions where merchandise and payment (in cash) are exchanged simultaneously. If the purchaser (or seller) can’t meet you in person, fuggedaboutit.
