Craigslist

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   schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years ago

   The last couple of times I sold something, I met the person (in these two cases were women) at a public place, busy with people.
   
   
   I just had a horrifying discovery. I'm quite upset at the moment. And anxious.
   
   I applied for a job position on craigslist. [Now I'll just use temp agencies] and we emailed back and forth. I sent my resume which was pretty crap actually.
   then set up phone interview today. All was cool until I got their email later.
   
   It said to meet them at such and such (which is turned out to be a residential place) and to get into the "company van" to "carpool" to the "job location" as a team effort.
   
   So I thought about it, and said to myself "Get in a van with people I don't know?!"
   
   It freaked me out that I came so close to a scam. And made me a little mad.
   I called the local police and reported it.
   
   I just hope some person doesn't fall victim, but the police said unfortunately it happnes alot.
   
   I think I'll write a hub on it.
   *sigh*
   
   What's your take on this, or experience knowledge if any?
   Also the website they gave on their email was misspelled. It IS a real website, but the person is prob Not the actual website person... although they used the same phone # as the website. but for all I know the whole website could be fake.
   either way, I'm not getting into a van with people I don't know!!!.
   as soon as I responded to the ad, it was taken down. also.

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      ptosisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If it's too good to be true=it isn't.
      I was "hired' sight unseen at a high dollar wage and they wanted my SSN and bank account info for direct deposit. Even if you are hired at a good job in a real place. Give 'em your Savings account number for direct deposit - never your checking, it's safer!

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   Aficionadaposted 12 years ago

   I wrote a Hub about a job scam that was posted on Craigslist, but I never faced any real danger.  Let me know when yours is published; it might be one I want to link to my article. I'm so glad you were cautious!!

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, so much..
      I've heard bad things but it shocked me!

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3. 68

   brakel2posted 12 years ago

   I am afraid of Craigs list ever since the medical student went to prison after using the service.

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   Stacie Lposted 12 years ago

   I've sold a few items on it and did what schoolgirlforreal did. I have also checked out some jobs and the responses were creepy...Craigslist needs to clean up its act and be more responsible to their readers.Safeguards should be in place, like posters having to verify themselves...

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      agreed

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5. 88

   Denise Handlonposted 12 years ago

   Wise choice not to get into the van or take this invite any further.    That is scary and stupid, but there are victims.
   
   My sister almost got scammed recently from a 'buyer' for her boat who wanted her to send out $900 to clear their check...how stupid are people?????  anyway, she called Craigslist and reported them.  She got another 'buyer' almost immediately that asked her to do something similar.  I told her it was probably an organized ring and they could actually have been sitting next to each other.
   
   I do not trust craigslist or anything similar for those reasons.

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   1. 77

      schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      true.

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6. 0

   Arlene V. Pomaposted 12 years ago

   I will not use Craigslist for anything.  My neighbor uses it all the time to sell her excess stuff, but she's taking big risks by having people come to her home or meeting them in parking lots.  I used to work a lot of temp jobs when I was in my 20s, but only through reputable agencies who sent me to known, professional businesses.  You get in a vehicle with strangers, there's no telling where they will take you and what they will do to you.  That's how a lot of women end up beaten, raped or dead.  Also, Craigslist also has a history of "buyers" robbing the buyer of the advertised goods.

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I know.

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7. 77

   schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years ago

   I just reported the entire thing, and all the info, to the bbb.org for them to investigate! In hopes no woman/person falls victim!!
   
   

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8. 0

   Arlene V. Pomaposted 12 years ago

   Good for you, schoolgirlforreal!

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   1. 77

      schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks! Taking action makes me feel powerful and proactive to counteract the ill feelings it gave me

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         Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         good for you.  Also, you might consider reporting it to the agents who organize and run the craigslist site.  That is what my sister did and they were grateful for the info.  It helps them to 'try' to keep it clean and legit.

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            schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Good idea!

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   Lisa HWposted 12 years ago

   I looked on Craigslist for job listing a few times (and before I got fed up), but what I ran into was all kinds of people posting what looked like decent jobs, and then I'd discover it was someone like an agency without a specific job (as implied) and just looking for new people to sign up with them, or else something like an Internet writing site looking for new sign-ups.  So, between that and whatever weirdness goes on with things like apartment listings, selling stuff, etc. etc., I just stay away from there.
   
   The van thing could have been legitimate (like one of those places that doesn't care who shows up and just lets people work on a day-to-day basis), but - you're right - who in their right mind (and especially if they're a woman) is going to show up and get in a van?  (One way or another and "legitimate" or not, the way I see it, if a van is involved little good will come of it anyway.    )  You're better off sticking with agencies (or else you could try just sending your resume with a simple, professional-looking, little letter that asks if they're hiring).  Sometimes if you hit someone at just the right time you may get an interview out doing that.

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Lisa HW!

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   2. 77

      schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I spoke about this situation with a friend today, and they suggested I try to reason with the owner and meet them which is in fact only 15 mins away. So I thought it may be a good idea. I looked into their business thouroughly and I think it might be okay. I really need a job.
      Well, I'll see how he responds and how it goes from there. He said it would be 1 1/2 hour paid training and payment for gas as well. Which is not bad.
      The company was also revealed to me which they will be cleaning.
      Their business is three years old and new, and they are still growing.

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