Craigslist is full of scammers - but they are easy to spot
I recently wrote about the wonders of Craislist both on HelpMeRick.com and in our free weekly email newsletter.
Someone posted a comment that I think needs to be addressed. There are many many scammers on Craigslist. However, they are stupid and easy to detect.
Here are a list of ways to detect a craigslist scammer.
1. The item is priced very low, but not too low. A $50 digital camera that retails for $5,000 is obviously a scam. Craigslist scammers typically would price such an item at $1,100 making it almost believable. Think about it, would anyone really sell an item for half as much as they could easily sell it for on eBay.
2. Location is not given or is vague. Real listers usually list details about where they are located. For example the Denver Craigslist will list locations such as Arvada, Englewood, Denver Metro, etc. If no location is given, feel free to write but the responder will likely say that they are vacationing or schooling in Manchester, UK or Cameroon.
3. Seller just happens to be out of the country. Don't buy anything from out of the country - EVER!
4. If you suspect that the item is a scam and you can't go see it due to location or other problems, ask to have the seller send a very specific picture that would require the item to be on hand by the seller.
This list may make Craigslist seem scary, but the warnings should follow common sense.
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Scammers
Adam,
The scammers work both ways. A recent ad for a piece of furniture here in GJ listed the item at $750.00. It was almost immediately "snapped up". However, the "buyer" said that they would send a check for more than the $750.00 which the seller was to cash and keep an extra $100.00 for their trouble; and then deliver the remaining overage to the "shipping company" representative when they arrived.
The check which came in the mail was in the amount of $4100 +. Obviously, this was a scam which would have cost the seller over $3000.00 dollars had they fallen for it.
Duane
A craiglist confession
Craigslist can be a great way to get a bargin or to get ripped-off. I found a great blog post called Confessions of a Craigslist Bicycle Trader on the bicyclespokesman blog (www.bicyclespokesman.com) and it give good insight into what goes on behind the listings. It is interesting for anyone using craigslist, not just bicycle buyers.
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