When you are selling on Craigslist, you don’t have the same security that a site like eBay would provide. That being said, you reach your local audience better and can sell pretty easily. Of course, with the easy comes the freaking frustrating, and the scammers come out to prey. Here are some tips to picking out a complete scam when selling on Craigslist.
Who knows what they are trying to accomplish, but scammers are going beyond the whole ‘mail me a cashier’s check to cover shipping’ thing, and coming after sellers as well. The first thing they will do is send you an email (as opposed to reaching you via phone) asking you if the ‘item’ is still for sale. They won’t refer to your ‘item’ by name, which should be your first tip-off.
After you respond via email that the ‘item’ is still for sale, the scammer will then shoot you a rapid reply that states something along the following:
They will state that they want the item sight unseen (they have a conflicting work schedule) and will pay the asking price, possibly calling you a ‘serious seller’. They will be sending a cashier’s check or money order to you immediately and demand that you remove the item from the listing before you receive any payment. They will be sending ‘a guy’ to pick up your ‘item’ and other ‘items’ in your town, and that they will send him to pick up said unseen ‘item’ once you confirm your payment has been received. They will not reveal their own name, where they are from, when they will be sending payment, etc.
Then the kicker- they will say they need your full name, address, phone number, and any other ‘important’ contact information so they can send a cashier’s check or money order to get an item they’ve never seen with no date as to when they will pick it up, and without ever revealing who they are or where they are from. When you ask them for their contact information so you can speak with them directly, they will never respond back.
You will notice as well that each time they email you, the email address is different- who has multiple email addresses? Sometimes, you will get the whole, “I want to buy your item…” spiel without even having been contacted by them before.
Who knows why they do this, but it’s happened to me a few times, which I consider to be just par for the course. Craigslist does have its irritations. However, these emails are so fishy that it’s easy to spot them and bait them into leaving you alone. Still, I can see where some people would be excited over an email from a stranger that promises to buy their ‘item’ sight unseen. I don’t know what these people are doing with this information, but it doesn’t sound good.
note: upon further research on Craigslist, it looks like this is a scam in which people send fake cashier’s checks to sellers and then the sellers get stuck with the bill when the check ultimately bounces. Craigslist has a page on their website that alerts sellers and buyers alike of scams to watch out for.
Your best bet to avoid being scammed is to not provide the anonymous email option on Craigslist, and state that you will receive calls only. Once scammers know the only way they can get ahold of you is via a phone call, they are less likely to try to hook you on the line. Regardless of what you do, if it smells like a turd, it is a turd. Don’t give out your personal information, and if you can do so, report any suspicious behavior to Craigslist to protect other buyers and sellers alike.
Source:
personal experience
