I recently wrote about the wonders of Craislist both on HelpMeRick.com and in our free weekly email newsletter.
Someone posted a comment that I think needs to be addressed. There are many many scammers on Craigslist. However, they are stupid and easy to detect.
Here are a list of ways to detect a craigslist scammer.
1. The item is priced very low, but not too low. A $50 digital camera that retails for $5,000 is obviously a scam. Craigslist scammers typically would price such an item at $1,100 making it almost believable. Think about it, would anyone really sell an item for half as much as they could easily sell it for on eBay.
2. Location is not given or is vague. Real listers usually list details about where they are located. For example the Denver Craigslist will list locations such as Arvada, Englewood, Denver Metro, etc. If no location is given, feel free to write but the responder will likely say that they are vacationing or schooling in Manchester, UK or Cameroon.
3. Seller just happens to be out of the country. Don’t buy anything from out of the country – EVER!
4. If you suspect that the item is a scam and you can’t go see it due to location or other problems, ask to have the seller send a very specific picture that would require the item to be on hand by the seller.
This list may make Craigslist seem scary, but the warnings should follow common sense.
Related articles:
Loading ...
,
No, they’re not always “easy to spot”!!!
Many scams don’t reveal themselves until you respond to them. They look entirely legitimate…either something for sale, or a job posting, whatever. No sign of a scam whatsoever. It’s when you receive a response that contains another link requesting personal information that you know it’s a scam.
Craigslist has truly become a complete cesspool of fraud and scams. The idea that the community can collectively police these listings is proving to be untenable. Craigslist needs to start charging fees, verifying identities and going after abusers and fraudsters. I’ve quit using the site now and won’t miss it. I just don’t have time to waste.
My name Cassie, i m posting this cos i have a good conscience and i ve been warning my mom concerning her illegal act, she has been scamming people on craiglist.org pretending to be given out a free bike and i will urge anyone who has fall victim to come the address below for your money, my mom is a THIEF and a SCAMMER, she is not worthy of a good mother. i hate her
DEBORAH
4— BAY RUN DR COLUMBUS
OHIO 43228
phone#: 55555555
email: deborahvoll(at)yahoo.com
Thank you for letting me know where your scammer mother lives. Now it will be easier for the FTC, Craigslist fraud and the police to find her.
What about the email address miners?
Is this Item still avail?
How can I contact you?
Once you reply they have your address to scam with.
I post 3 items on CL and that week I had questions asked and no replies back and the spam started…pills,debt crap I’d never gotten before.
So I now put in my CL ads Will not responde if name phone or email is not in reply due to scammers
Craigslist can be a great way to get a bargin or to get ripped-off. I found a great blog post called Confessions of a Craigslist Bicycle Trader on the bicyclespokesman blog (www.bicyclespokesman.com) and it give good insight into what goes on behind the listings. It is interesting for anyone using craigslist, not just bicycle buyers.
Adam,
The scammers work both ways. A recent ad for a piece of furniture here in GJ listed the item at $750.00. It was almost immediately “snapped up”. However, the “buyer” said that they would send a check for more than the $750.00 which the seller was to cash and keep an extra $100.00 for their trouble; and then deliver the remaining overage to the “shipping company” representative when they arrived.
The check which came in the mail was in the amount of $4100 +. Obviously, this was a scam which would have cost the seller over $3000.00 dollars had they fallen for it.
Duane
How do you report someone who has scammed you on craigslist? They should not be able to get away with this!!!!!
i just recently posted an ad to sell a laptop computer
here is the email i received
RE: acer aspire 3680 notebook pc – $375?
From: Karen Edwards (kwards.1958@ymail.com)
Sent: Wed 12/17/08 3:05 PM
To: steve womac (stevewomac@hotmail.com)
Thank you very much for the response, Anyways, I’ll be mailing a check via my Bank to you due to my job transfer and shortness of time. However, to ease the pick up, I’ll be engaging the services of a mover to do that after the check has been cashed. I’ll need this details below to mail out the payment to you asap…
? The Full name on the Check
? Mailing address be it residential or office
? Cell phone # and
? Final Price of the item
I’ll appreciate it if the item is kept for me. Thank you for the understanding.
Regards,
Karen.
no legitimate person would buy a computer without looking at first
i caught this scam very fast!! beware!!!
if you want to buy a genuine and cheap puppy is cameroon,get to this contact.annaforpets@yahoo.com.she is an American breeding chihuahua and Yorkie puppies in cameroon.i have been taken so many time but was only survived by this woman who sent to me a cute and healthy chihuahua puppy for $500.i think this is the only genuine supplier of pets from cameroon.