Avoiding Scams On Craigslist

There's nothing wrong with that! I've used Craigslist successfully many times to sell some junk and even buy some junk! Craigslist in and of itself is not a good or bad place, it is morally neutral. It is like any other crowd of people.. Some are good and some are not! So you just have to know how to look over your shoulder!

New very annoying scam:

I like to look through the "free stuff" area just to see what goodies might be out on a curb near me! Most of these are legit and may include pics of the free stuff and even an address where to come get it! Sometimes it's stuff you can actually turn around and sell!

Yesterday, I responded to an ad that read, "free 5 y/o computer". It stated that it was an old Dell, taking up closet space, needed it off his hands.. I thought, "Wow! I'll go get it!" so I responded.

The response I got read, "Sorry, I already gave it away, but you can go to this web site for a free Mac iBook!" LOL! Scam! I've heard of this happening with other types of products. I guess if the "free" product sounds too good to be true, it may be. But at least you don't really get hurt with that kind of scam. It is annoying, though, because you realize the "free" product never really existed!

The old, "Oops! My secretary wrote the check for too much!" scam:

I can't believe people still try this scam.. Unless people are STILL falling for it! This one just got tried on me tonight!! That is why I was inspired to write this article! It has been tried on me a few other times before, as well!

Basically what happens is you have an item listed for sale on Craigslist. You are contacted by a non-local buyer who will mail you a certified check, or money order. The "buyer" gets your name address, etc, tells you he will mail the check and send someone to pick up the item.

Soon he notifies you that the check has been sent but air-head secretary wrote the check for too much, by oh... $2000 or so! LOL! You are asked to cash it and wire the difference back!

I really don't know who would fall for this but I just thought I'd let you know it's still going on! Below I have included the e-mail exchanges from the person who tried it on me tonight!

Here's what it looks like and how to stop it once you see what it is!

First email I got from someone trying to scam me on Craigslist.. It was sent responding to an ad I placed offering computer repair services in my area:

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

Hello let me know if you are capable of repairing computers in volumes...

this message was remailed to you via: serv-f768g-1244601611@craigslist.org

Not exactly sure what the e-mailer meant, by "in volumes" I replied:

Hello,

Do you mean many PC's at once?

At my last job I repaired 5-8 laptops per day..

Let me know specifically what you are looking for.

Thanks!

Kevy

This is when I knew it was probaly a scam (I underlined the clues):

I got pentium IV dell laptops . Below are the things needed to be done one on each laptops.
1 Format Hard Drive
2 Instal Win Xp with Service Pack 2
3 Microsoft Office Package
4 AVG Virus Software (Free Lifetime Updates)
5 Adobe Acrobat
6 Laptop Cleaning of the keyboard, screen and other case.
7 Diagnostics of the entire system after to check hard, cdrom, floppy, etc. Get back to me with your total cost for the services of 7 units. I will pay you with a certified check .
I await your urgent response so that i can make Moving arrangements and payment as soon as possible...

Just to be sure, I wrote back:

Do you already have the Windows XP and Office software. AVG and Acrobat Reader are free. If you want Acrobat Publisher, you'll need to have that software also.

I will charge $60 per unit ($420) and will happy to work on them at your location if your are nearby.

From: Ann Stratton <hagopen4000@yahoo.com>
To: Kevy Booker <kevyrae@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 12:27:58 AM
Subject: Re: Laid-off PC tech needs cash! (Balch Springs/Pleasant Grove)

I got pentium IV dell laptops . Below are the things needed to be done one on each laptops.
1 Format Hard Drive
2 Instal Win Xp with Service Pack 2
3 Microsoft Office Package
4 AVG Virus Software (Free Lifetime Updates)
5 Adobe Acrobat
6 Laptop Cleaning of the keyboard, screen and other case.
7 Diagnostics of the entire system after to check hard, cdrom, floppy, etc. Get back to me with your total cost for the services of 7 units. I will pay you with a certified check .
I await your urgent response so that i can make Moving arrangements and payment as soon as possible...

Their reply:

Thanks for the reply. I am okay with the price i have all the necessary softwares needed for the service installations... I will instruct my secretary to prepare a check for you on your

name and address . Do send me your full name and address and your phone # so as to prepare the check and shipping of the laptops to your address. i have a reliable shipper that will pickup the laptops when you are done with it.I am looking forward to hear from you,so we can have payment and shipping asap.
Thanks

My reply:

I am sorry, but I will only work with local, cash paying customers at their site.

Thanks anyway,

Kevy

Haven't heard back! This is not the first time someone has tried to pull this scam on me! So be careful out there! If I had said, "Okay" I would've received a fake check in the mail, that the secretary "accidentally" wrote for oh.. $2000 to much. I would've been asked to cash it and wire the difference back. And keep a little extra for my trouble! LOL! The laptops? They don't exist!

I am sending all this to the authorities along with their IP address. This stuff makes me mad!