12 replies to this topic

[ACrystal2011]

Ok, so my boyfriend put an ad up on craigslist and some guy just offered to pay the asking price plus an additional $500 by way of certified bank check. This made no since to me, why would someone offer more money than what the item was listed for. Is this some type of scam?

[Ransom]

I would say yes, it's a scam. There are lots of variants of scams using certified checks and overpayment. Here's one: http://theunemployed...ertified-check/

You can google for others.

[save2600]

Definitely a popular and common scam, avoid! Always use your common sense when dealing with people on CL or wherever.

[ACrystal2011]

Thanks for the reply, I was a little sceptical when he said he would add an extra $500 most people try to get stuff for less not give away free money.

[rmaerz]

ACrystal2011, on Tue Dec 27, 2011 9:16 AM, said:

Thanks for the reply, I was a little sceptical when he said he would add an extra $500 most people try to get stuff for less not give away free money.

You should've told him to pay cash for the item and give you a certified check of $500.

[ACrystal2011]

LOL we sent him an email saying that we didn't feel comfortable with the Certified check due to thinking we might be getting scammed, he hasn't sent a reply yet. I'd rather we don't sell it and have it sit in the garage then go through a legal mess.

[Austin]

When I sell on Craigslist, I advise on the listing to send an email to the anonymous Craigslist email I advertise on the post (CL will forward the mail to my inbox). When I respond to them (if they email), I will let them know if I have accepted their offer or not (they usually haggle a bit), then I direct them to call my cell. If they don't follow through with that next step I know they are not serious or are possibly attempting a scam. The ones that do follow through have always ended up buying for around the price I originally asked, and they have usually been able to pick up right away.

Regarding the $500 check, yeah, that's a scam. I've had that one before, too. Just be careful and use your common sense.

[nathanallan]

Scam! Craigslist is great to get items sold but you have to play it safe. Scammers will go to all sorts of trouble They have attempted to scam me several times.

[ACrystal2011]

Austin, on Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:44 PM, said:

When I sell on Craigslist, I advise on the listing to send an email to the anonymous Craigslist email I advertise on the post (CL will forward the mail to my inbox). When I respond to them (if they email), I will let them know if I have accepted their offer or not (they usually haggle a bit), then I direct them to call my cell. If they don't follow through with that next step I know they are not serious or are possibly attempting a scam. The ones that do follow through have always ended up buying for around the price I originally asked, and they have usually been able to pick up right away.

Regarding the $500 check, yeah, that's a scam. I've had that one before, too. Just be careful and use your common sense.

I never thought to instruct them to call, thanks for that tip!

[Mxyzptlk]

ACrystal2011, on Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:59 AM, said:

Ok, so my boyfriend put an ad up on craigslist and some guy just offered to pay the asking price plus an additional $500 by way of certified bank check. This made no since to me, why would someone offer more money than what the item was listed for. Is this some type of scam?

It's a scam.... period. Same shit happened to me when I was selling one of my pins. I played along and asked for a phone # ...and amazingly they wrote back that they were deaf. My suggestion to you is to have some fun with it and string them out like I did.

[brojamfootball]

I always tell them to send the check so they have to go to the trouble.
Then, I deny having received it and try to make them send another one.
I love messing with these guys.
Just use your junk email address.

[Metal Jesus]

I've sold a couple things on Craigslist...mostly small electronic stuff like old cell phones, drum machines, etc...

My favorite is the dude who will email asking me to just GIVE IT to them for free. This happened on a Palm cell phone that I sold for easily for $100. Happened again on an iPad 1 I sold in 5 hours for $400 cash... yet people don't hesitate to ask you to give it away. Why the hell would I do that?

[SpendTooMuchOnAtari]

I've sold on Craigslist and always meet in person, in a public place and accept cash only.