Craig's List Scammers?

Minor Axis

Minor Axis

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Do you have any personal experiences with Craig's List scams?

I've been on Craig's List for several years now, but this is the first time I've seen this. Two weeks ago I've posted a guitar on Craig's List. I get an email- "I used to live in the Houston area, but I just moved to New York. I'll send you a check and give you an extra $20 for the trouble, then have my 'mover' pick up the item."

Thinking this was a commercial mover, I asked for a local name and number for the mover, the conversation went dead.

Yesterday I posted a set of oriental rosewood chairs on Craig's List and get an immediate response back, first the buyer asked if they are in good shape. When I said "yes", the potential buyer told me he did not have time to look at the items. I consider this very strange as they are listed for close to $2000 for the set. The buyer requested a name and address to send a cashier's check to include an extra $20 if I remove the item from Craig's List to make sure he got them. Thinking he was using a commercial mover, I asked him who was he using and requested a phone number. I'm waiting to see if he gets back with me.

Then a light bulb went off! You know when they say it is too good to be true? I searched online and came up with:

*FraudGuides.com

*Craigslist.org About Scams

This is what jumped out at me:
DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one rule and avoid 99% of scam attempts on craigslist.
FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.

So the question is, if I am dealing with scammers, I would have to assume they are local or at a minimum have local contacts to facilitate their heist? I'm wondering if there is any way to ID them and if I turned them into the cops, would anyone really care?

For 99.9% of my Craig's List postings Cash is a requirement. For expensive items I am willing to take a check, but will hold the item until the check clears the bank.

How do you deal with expensive items you have listed on Craig's List- do you take checks and if so what are your conditions? Thanks! :)
 
Can you not use paypal or something instead of asking for cheques? That might be a bit safer.

I don't use craiglist because it has such a seedy reputation I've just never gone there! I do use gumtree, I don't know if they have a US site as well as a UK one but they're relatively good, you still get the odd scammer like you do anywhere but mainly it's been decent :)
 
anything that looks to easy and good to be true one should question

they were probably setting up to rob you

I bought a Fender Bass off Craigslist. It was in mint condition and about $300 than anything I could find at a store.

I had the guy meet me at my office which was a half way meeting point between his house and mine. I still was a bit nervous.
 
Minor Axis said:
So the question is, if I am dealing with scammers, I would have to assume they are local or at a minimum have local contacts to facilitate their heist? I'm wondering if there is any way to ID them and if I turned them into the cops, would anyone really care?

For 99.9% of my Craig's List postings Cash is a requirement. For expensive items I am willing to take a check, but will hold the item until the check clears the bank.

How do you deal with expensive items you have listed on Craig's List- do you take checks and if so what are your conditions? Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

Seems like you are doing the right thing. Asking for contact info is a good way to find out if someone is trying to BS you.
 
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