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How to not get scammed on craigslist
JWashke
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I'm selling a few particular large electronic items on Craigslist. And I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to avoid getting scammed, I've heard of people using fake money and so on and am a bit paranoid.
JWashke on
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Just don't sell to people who are clearly idiots.
Example:
Good day to you.
Did you still have this for sale on craigslist and let me know if you accept paypal as payment mehod as well,
pls let me know now
Thanks
Yes I still have it although many people have taken an interest in it so I do not know for how much longer ... and yes I can take paypal
Hello there....i have made the payment of $180 to your paypal account and i will like to know if you have been contacted my paypal....please do ship the item out via usps post office to the address confirmed by paypal through the payment made.
Please do get back to me asap.
Thanks alot
Lois
First of all, I was asking $100.
Second, I never told her I would sell to her.
Third, I never gave her my paypal address.
I had another guy wanting me to ship to his only son in Africa.
Just don't ship, deal with people locally. Generally I've found people to kind. If the money does end up being fake, you know what they look like so you can turn them in. Chances are they'll drive there, so you'll have their license plate # as well.
Also, under no circumstances whatsoever should you accept any mailed payments from a potential buyer out of the city. That's a classic scam.
EDIT: Never thought to use paypal, but that works too.
Haha, Ectasy the whole ship to Africa thing. When I first sold stuff on ebay years ago I got scammed with the whole traveling abroad thing.
C.R.E.A.M
Dolla dolla bills ya'll
That's about all you need to know to deal on Craigslist.
The guy who was scammed with fake money did it in a place with cameras and the police were able to apprehend the suspect.
They can only tell if the money was printed on wood-based paper vs fiber-based paper. If you get a fake, it'll likely be printed on wood-based paper, unless you hang out with bigtime drug smugglers or terrorists.
Also, check out the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's website that details security features in the new bills. Even if someone is able to print money that looks real, it most likely won't have the watermarks and security strips that are now embedded in currency.
I've sold a fair amount of stuff on craigslist, from furniture to a huge rear projection HDTV. I've just had the person come pick it up. They hand you the wad, you count it. If you're suspicious, "lose count" on the last few bills and start over. Fake bills typically stand out; the good counterfeiters aren't scamming craigslisters.
Don't set things up via email -- respond to a legit email with "call me at [number] and we'll hash it out." Most people are looking for a deal, and most scammers stand out like sore thumbs. Don't respond to an email that just mentions "the item" or "i saw your post is it still available?" Look for specifics, like they're in the area or they work around you and can pick it up after work, etc.
You can always meet at their bank and either get a cashiers check on the spot, or just cash their check at their bank.
and with an in-person meeting, you have no way of proving that
if you withdraw the money ASAP, Paypal and the scammer are SOL...
Seems to me that Paypal could still debit your account, leaving you with a negative balance.
they can't take money you don't have in your account
it'll basically mean that your account is no longer usable (i.e. if you use it again, they will take your cash), but for several hundred $$ i'd be willing to do so
I actually worked at work on Saturday. Also I went out on a date with a real life girl.
Can you like, permanently break the forums?
"FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later."
CASH CASH CASH. If your paranoid, you could meet somewhere more public if you don't want strangers coming to your house.
When I sold my old computer for $300 on craigslist I got 3-5 emails that were barely english that may or may not have been legit. After a week or so I got a couple or emails I could actually understand and got the deal done.
it's pretty hard to fake money for the average joe. as soon as you touch it/ hold it up to the light you can usually tell if it's real