what is this craigslist scam?

[thunderbyrd]

i put 2 guitars up on CL. had to go over to my daughter's house and get my son in law to help because i can't remember how to post pictures. by the time i got home, i had several texts wanting to buy it. but i didn't believe them. i answered a couple and told them to call me if they wanted it but none did.

they were all trying to give me a number to use as a code or something, but i didn't go for it. then i got up this morning and i have several emails asking the same thing. some want to know where to pick it up.

i'm sure somebody here has seen this. what exactly is going on, what's the scam?

 

[Prairie Phoenix]

I don't know exactly, but the short answer is they can use that code to impersonate you.

 

[Peegoo]

@thunderbyrd

Here on Planet Peegoo, any prospective buyer that cannot communicate clearly or one that insists on defining the purchase process gets shoved off the train.

Period.

You are the seller, and you define the process. It should be convenient for you--not them.

The sad fact is many scammers know sellers are intent on getting cash in their hot little hands. So they attempt to manipulate and take advantage of weaker-willed people. Do not fall for it. Let somebody else lose their money.

 

[Marc Morfei]

Yes, that is a very common scam. They want you to contact them directly - outside the Craigslist messaging system - so they can get your email and other personal information. Just ignore them.

Quick guide to Craigslist scams:
-- contacts you within an hour of posting your ad
-- wants you to email them directly, outside of Craigslist
-- refers only to "your item," rather than the actual thing you are selling (ie, "your guitar," etc)
-- says they want to buy "your item" without asking any questions about it.
-- does not have a local phone number (not always a scam, but often)
-- Offers you extra money to ship it to them, or wants to send their "friend" to pick it up.

Just ignore any messages such as these. Do not engage. A real buyer will be local, will be curious about what you are selling, will want to see it in person, etc. Stay within the CL system, and talk to the person.

 

[gitold]

Out here in the greater Denver area the first day you put something on Craigs list you get 2 or 3 texts from scammers in the first hour!

 

[Marc Morfei]

Out here in the greater Denver area the first day you put something on Craigs list you get 2 or 3 texts from scammers in the first hour!

Yep, here too. They must have some automated bot that sends a generic "I want to buy your item" email to every new ad.

 

[Preacher]

Even when you put on your AD, do not send a "is this still available?" response they still send it.

 

[Masmus]

I believe this particular scam works on your Google account. Something about getting an account verification number that google will give you then they use that number to set up their password on your account.

 

[jackinjax]

I hope there's a special h*ll for scammers. Extra imps with bigger, sharper pitchforks!

 

[BB]

I hope there's a special h*ll for scammers. Extra imps with bigger, sharper pitchforks!

(using best pirate voice) 'Aye Laddie....how bout we simply call it Abaddon.'

 

[lil scotty]

To reduce scams, I do not use my phone number for CL ads. Make them email you through CL. I say in ad, ”Email me through CL. Include your name and phone number in the body of this email. I do this to avoid scammers.” If prospective buyers can’t follow these directions, I do not want to do business with them.

 

[Short on cash]

Hi,

My name is Magoomba. I am a price from (fill in the blank). I am interested in your (fill in the blank) . I will send my special agent to your destinaion with $500 over your asking price if you
would provide me with your bank acount number we can make this transaction as smooth as possible. The overage is to ensure you are happy with the deal.

As soon as I have all your money I will dissapear in the night.
Sincerely,
Magoomba


OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT

 

[teletail]

I respond, “Thanks for contacting me. Sale is cash only, in person only, meet at the local police station.” That weeds out 99% of responders.

 

[mountainhick]

I respond, “Thanks for contacting me. Sale is cash only, in person only, meet at the local police station.” That weeds out 99% of responders.

Ditto, County Justice Center/Sheriff's office parking lot.

 

[Milspec]

I believe this particular scam works on your Google account. Something about getting an account verification number that google will give you then they use that number to set up their password on your account.

That is exactly what the goal is for these thieves. They will tell you that they need the code to verify that you (the seller) isn't a scammer, but providing that code gives them full access to your whole internet existence on google. You do not want that.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

They are trying to steal your phone number and/or other credentials or access an account belonging to you by getting past two-factor authentication to your phone.

 

[Peegoo]

"Sale is cash only, in person only, meet at the local police station.” That weeds out 99% of responders.

Don't say "weed" out loud in the cop car park

 

[kuch]

I've had several experiences where the buyer wouldn't provide a phone # to set up the sale: end of conversation for me.

I even had a seller who wouldn't call after I gave them a contact phone #: end of conversation for me

I'm never desperate to buy or sell things so cest la vie.....

I've used the meet at the cop shop ploy and it has weeded out some buyers

 

[SRHmusic]

Don't say "weed" out loud in the cop car park

"No, sir, I wasn't trying some weed out on people 'using' in the parking lot! You must have misheard me. I said I was trying to weed out people, like, you know, scammers, by using the parking lot! Really."

 

[1stpitch]

Several police stations around here have an "Internet transaction parking spot" in their lot. They are well lit and have cameras that are displayed 24/7 on a monitor on the dispatcher's desk, and recorded. If a buyer won't meet me at one of those, it's a no sale. I have asked sellers to meet me there as well, and most of them have.