An Old Craigslist Scam is Back

[Binx]

I'm selling something on Craigslist and an old scam has popped up that I'd like to share with others here so they know how it works. The buyer wants to pay by check and entices me with extra money. This is where I stand with the buyer right now. I'd like to keep stringing him/her along but my wife is paranoid that he/she will somehow hack us.

The way it would go down if I continued is I agree to take the check, I'd get an email while it was in transit that they brain-farted and overpaid the amount with a frantic heart-rendering plea that I immediately send back the over payment via western union once I cash the check because they'll be short on their car payment, rent or whatever. Days later I get notified by my bank that the check bounced.

Here's a copy of my email. Read from the bottom-up. Scammer name changed to protect the...well, you decide...

I'm Jeremy Scammer. I would have loved to come take a look but I am presently out of town on an assignment. Don't worry about the pick up,as soon as you received check clears, then pick up will be arranged.Send your full name, address,phone number so i can proceed with the payment

On 4/7/17, craigslist 6075005991 <> wrote: > > Sorry. This will have to be cash at pick up. > > Lonnie >

---- Jeremy Scammer <> > wrote: >> >> I'm interested in buying the item and i will be paying by check. I >> will be adding an extra $50 so you can keep it in my favor,once the >> check clears the pick up will be made, send your full name, address, >> phone number where check can be mailed to. Thank you

>> >> On 4/6/17, craigslist 6075005991 <> >> wrote: >> > >> > Yes, it's still available. >> > >> > Lonnie >> > ----

Jeremy Scammer >> > <> >> > wrote: >> >> >> >> Still for sale? Please let me know..

[cas3]

every time i sell on cr, within minutes i get text from scammers, even though i put right in the ad-NO TEXT. its a tell tale sign of trouble, just wait for a phone call from a real buyer

[texas webb]

I only use my phone # and I don't text,old flip phone.

[JSeery]

Scammers can use just about any pay method to their advantage, but I prefer PayPal myself.

[edhd58]

I still have a bogus check sent by a scammer. I told him before the check came it was a pick up only item. after the check came he kept telling me to ship it. I told him i'll hold the check till he comes picks up the item. I still have both.

[cas3]

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interesting, wheres the check from, pakastan ?

[fordwife]

I got an offer like this this week. Here's another tip off:The buyer offers to pay your price,sight unseen, and asks no questions about the item you are selling.

[cas3]

fordwife, yup, thats what all the text that come in within the hour say. me too, flip phone dont text. i get it, its a text message. could be handy for quick messages that need no responce, like, i'll be an hour late. but most use it as text conversations. just call me on the phone

[mhsprecher]

I never give out my phone number on CL, but use a special e-mail address that I have for selling items. I do get scam/spam e-mails asking, Is it still available? I usually don't respond to those. Sometimes I state in the ad that the respondent must list the item in their e-mail, otherwise I will ignore their message. Probably nothing is foolproof. I makes you long for the old days. I still have a land line, so I guess I could put that number in there for real phone calls.

[Paul Bennett]

Craigslist is face to face. No need to share, just ignore the abuser and go on with life.

[cas3]

mhspreacher- i dont respond to adds that do not have a phone number. i'll buy the other guys that i can talk to...unless its somthing very special, and i find in most cases the seller never responds to the email.your number is hidden from robots, so why not put it in there???

[Flathead Dave]

After the scammer sends me a few texts or emails from Craig's List, I will always send them a phone number to arrange for pick up. The phone number is for the Fontana P.D.

[Frank Miller]

Another buying/selling idea is to meet someone in a public place. Some police stations have a designated area for this. Was a recent stabbing at the mall near me when a seller tried to rob a potential buyer.

[cordbob]

I guess there is no solution to buy on line other than paypal mailed somebody a check for an item 25 days ago everything this person says has not been done ,package has not been shipped according to FedEx. Never received a tracking number ,that's probably why, emails not returned promptly etc , the excuses just go on and on.I will not buy anything online again and only purchase parts at swap meets, the old fashioned way.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by cordbob

I guess there is no solution to buy on line other than paypal mailed somebody a check for an item 25 days ago everything this person says has not been done ,package has not been shipped according to FedEx. Never received a tracking number ,that's probably why, emails not returned promptly etc , the excuses just go on and on.I will not buy anything online again and only purchase parts at swap meets, the old fashioned way.

I buy online weekly and have never really had a problem. Scams are everywhere, but PayPal is reasonably safe.

[Scotty's 52 F3]

I gave my last scammer ALL my info. I mean FBI Phoenix info. I never heard back.

[chap52]

I told a potential buyer for my truck that we could meet me at my Uncles Office with the cash in hand so we could have my Uncle's secretary notarize the paperwork for him. I told him my Uncles Office was at the nearby Police Station where he is the head of the Detective Division.
Never heard from him again???