Craigslist scam, how does THIS work?...

[+ Italiano]

It's the second time in a few months that I post an ad on craigslist in order to sell some piece of furniture.

 

The first time I received this enthusiastic email from someone asking me to take off the ad because he (or she) was going to buy the item (a sofa bed) without even coming to look at it, and offering on top an extra 50 bucks in order to guarantee me the interest, and that he (or she) was going to send me a money order, not to worry for the movers of course provided by him (or her), and to give him (or her) my name, address, phone number in order to cash the cheque and only after that he (or she) would have someone to pick up the sofa...

 

It sounded so bizarre that I didn't even consider it.

 

Yesterday I put another ad to sell a desk, and a few minutes later I received a VERY similar email! No idea if it is the same person of last time, most probably not, but of course at this point it's obvious to me that it's some kind of scam that must be quite typical in these cases.

 

What I don't get is how this could possibly work, where is the catch?...

 

I can be dumb, but I don't see it!

 

Thanks for the explanation!

[Boomer]

To give someone a money order I believe all you need is a name. I've never been asked for the recipients phone number or address. Perhaps if you bite the money order will suddenly become a wire transfer which would give them access to your bank account. If it walks like a duck...

[Guest Spanky]

Classic craiglist scam is for the person emailing you to send a check that is in excess (usually significantly) of the price you are asking. Sometimes it's a "mistake" and they ask you to send a money order for the difference, other times they ask that you return the difference, in cash, to the "mover" that picks up the item. You deposit the check, send the money order or pay the guy the difference ("Hey, go ahead and take an extra $50 for your trouble") and then later on you find that the check was fake or it bounces.

[justaguy]

Spanky, thanks for your explanation. I hadn't even thought of that. As Boomer said, if it walks like a duck....

[MiamiLooker]

It's the second time in a few months that I post an ad on craigslist in order to sell some piece of furniture.

 

The first time I received this enthusiastic email from someone asking me to take off the ad because he (or she) was going to buy the item (a sofa bed) without even coming to look at it, and offering on top an extra 50 bucks in order to guarantee me the interest, and that he (or she) was going to send me a money order, not to worry for the movers of course provided by him (or her), and to give him (or her) my name, address, phone number in order to cash the cheque and only after that he (or she) would have someone to pick up the sofa...

 

It sounded so bizarre that I didn't even consider it.

 

Yesterday I put another ad to sell a desk, and a few minutes later I received a VERY similar email! No idea if it is the same person of last time, most probably not, but of course at this point it's obvious to me that it's some kind of scam that must be quite typical in these cases.

 

What I don't get is how this could possibly work, where is the catch?...

 

I can be dumb, but I don't see it!

 

Thanks for the explanation!

 

I've gotten these before when selling something on CL. I accept their offer and give them a name and address (such as the police dept in Nome, Alaska) to send the check. If nothing else, they'll be out the cost of their FedEx expenses.

[jackcali]

Spanky has it exactly right. The check is frequently from a non-U.S. account so that it takes a while to clear. Money orders always take a while to clear. This way, the scam (picking up the item and collecting the extra money) can get completed before your bank has told you that the check or money order is fake.

[+ Lucky]

The same thing happens with apartment rentals. They are eager to rent it sight unseen, will forward the deposit, etc. etc. etc. I don't use Craigslist at all anymore as it seems to be the home of the biggest flakes.

[JoeyBryant]

LOL, so this boat mechanic/builder is looking for an au-pair so he can pretend to his wife that he's repairing boats in Monaco France but in reality sneak out from his wife and kids in Newham East London to have a ball in a private gay costume party in Monaco and probably get laid untill he doesn't know if hiss ass*ole is up-front or down-rear? LOL

 

Sincerely, Anton/Amsterdam.

 

Laugh my ass off....that was funny.

 

In any event...don't be so hard on craigslist! On my 1st try, I found a very good item of name brand furniture on there recently. However...the other 3 times I tried, the people flaked out. One gave me his address and everything to pick up an entertainment set, but when the time came before I called...he didnt pick up or return the call.

[+ Italiano]

This is what I have received.

Still, if this person accepted to send me 50 bucks more than the price of the item, if he sends me the check and I cash it (even if after one week it appears to bounce), where is the catch?...

 

Would he (or "his movers"...) for real be coming to take the dresser before the cash bounces?...

 

I must be stupid, I don't get it!

 

"Thanks for your prompt response, I am quite satisfied with the

condition. I am very interested and I am really okay with the item and

would love to make an instant purchase,so please do withdraw the

advert from Craigslist, I don't mind adding an extra $50 for you to

take the advert down from Craigslist so that I can be rest assured

that am in hand of the item. I would have loved to have a look at the

item but I am a very busy man, I hope you understand. I would also

like you to know that I will be paying via company certified check,

and it will be sent to you via courier service due to the distance.

You don't have to bother with the shipment, I will take care of

that..... So I will need you to provide me with the following

information to facilitate the mailing of the check.

1. Full Name on the Check

2. Address where payment will be sent to, not P.O Box (because my

courier service does not deliver to P.O Box)

3. City

4. State

5. Zip Code

6. Phone Number

Once again, I would like you to know that you will not be

responsible for the shipping of the item as I will have my mover come

over as soon as you have cashed the check.

Have a nice day.

Regards."

[+ Travis69]

I have sold things on Craigslist and always put in the ad the line "cash only. emails indicating other types of payment will not be answered." also I never give out my last name.

[+ Italiano]

I have sold things on Craigslist and always put in the ad the line "cash only. emails indicating other types of payment will not be answered." also I never give out my last name.

 

This seems the wisest thing to do.

 

Thank you all!

[fedssocr1]

yeah, I can't imagine ever accepting anything other than cash when selling things on CL.

[Guest Tristan]

This is the MO for one of the most common scams on Craigslist.

 

Someone responds to your ad without a phone number. He says that he's very interested, but too busy to come over or even talk on the phone, and will send you a Money Order or Cashier's Check. Once you cash the check, his mover will show up to pick up the merchandise. Sometimes, they also offer to give you an extra $50.

 

I get hit by this scam just about every time I run an ad on Craigslist trying to sell something. So I contacted Craigslist. They responded promptly and said that the scam is the check. They advise posters that they should NEVER accept a cashier's check. There are a lot of fraudulent cashier's checks out there. That's something that was once safe, but no longer is.

 

What happens is that, for some reason, it takes time for the bank to discover that the check is bad. By then, the buyer has picked up your merchandise and is gone. To add insult to injury, the seller is responsible for passing a bad check, even though he cashed it in good faith. Bottom line: Don't accept any payment but cash in person.