Hello Fellow Mommies. My hubby and I decided to sell our entertainment center. We have never posted on any site before and we decided to try Craig's List. I received an email from someone willing to pay full price. I asked when she would like to come look at it and she replied today that too busy. She wants to pay by cashier's check or certified check and asks for my full name and address so that she can send it via courier. She says check will be in excess so that I can use the excess to pay the company that will be coming to pick it up. Several thoughts, in paying $1500 for the center why wouldn't someone want to see it or send someone to see it? Why should I pay the cargo company, why can't she?
Am I being overly cautious since I am a newby to doing something like this?
Thank you to the many many responses. As someone said, trust your instincts, I did not respond. Also, followed a few other recommendations: a) contacted Craig's List about this person and b) posted on Facebook about what is going on and beware. Thank you again.
OMG-total scam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My friend got ripped off by this to the tune of $2000. You should report them to the attorney generals office.
Never ever ever ever in a million years should the SELLER have to pay. Never.
I would say that this sounds like a scam. I hear all of the time about things like this. If this person were legit, they would be open and above board. I would have issues with a transaction such as this.
Report this to craigslist. It may not do any good but you've done what you're supposed to. If you continue to post things on craigslist you will get some of these emails for everything and they will be worded almost exactly the same each time. I say in my ads that I don't respond to email and to call the phone number provided. Also, there are many people that post that don't include their phone number and are trying to scam the buyer as well.
Hope this helps.
M.
its a scam do not accept her offer i have sold lots of things on craigslist and i get stuff like that all the time...put cash only and local pickup only on ur listing:) have a good day
The faqs section on craigslist says that fake cashiers checks are common and this definately sounds like a scam to me.
don't do it!!!
the general rule when you sell on craigslist is to put CASH ONLY in the ad. these people are totally scammers. do NOT give them your information unless they are going to come by and see the item. even better - meet in a neutral location.
Scam! You will pay the cargo company, she will have your entertainment center and the check will come back as fraud then you're out the money and entertainment center.
This is a scam. You will be giving a courier money that you never see again and the check will bounce. You could call the poliece and the attorney general, or maybe one of the local TV "on your side" reporters, and see if they want to meet the courier and arrest them or expose the scam, but under no circumstances should you give anyone any money in exchange for a check. If they can give the courier a cashiers check, they can also PAY them too. They have no interest in buying your entertainment center.
M.
M.
scam scam scam ignore that one. redo your craigslist post and state CASH ONLY, YOU PICK UP!!!
SCAM!! don't even reply to the email, they want your info too.
SCAM.....RUN DO NOT give any personal info to this person.
This is a classic CL scam..
Don't do it. I haven't done Craig's List but I would only do a cash-only transaction. If you can, get the entertainment center to a neutral location--storage unit or something--so that people can look at it without having to know where you live. I don't know what kind of scam it could be but trust your gut. If you have to ask "is this a a scam?" then for all intents and purposes, yes, it is.
this is kind of a common scam on craigslist actually. definitely don't do it!
SCAM!!! SCAM!!! SCAM!!!! Run as far away as you can. I have used Craigslist before to post things such as cell phones but I never ever once allowed them to my home and IF that was discussed then it would have had to happen when the hubby is home. I always met in a very Public place and always brought the hubs with me except once because I was to meet his wife at her job which was a Regions Bank-so I believe I was safe-and I was nothing happened and you always always get cash. I did offer PayPal once for one of the cell phones because he lived to far to meet so I shipped it and he paid me for the cell plus shipping. This is a scam girl-I am involved in BeautiControl and they passed around two seperate e-mails from people asking to order product but that they would be sending a cashiers check and it would be for more than the order total and they wanted the reps name and address-luckily they were smart enough to forward it on to directors which confirmed it was indeed a scam!
Oh if you can report them
Yep....do not accept that! Scam
Paying for shipping is not your problem. She needs to pay for it. Keep looking for another buyer. This one sounds pretty shady.
It is definitely a scam, and I believe it is called a mule scam, and I hear it is very popular on Craig's List. I think how it works is, basically, the check is a fake. So, you send the item to the "buyer," and you pay out of pocket for shipping, but then, once you go to cash the check, you find that it is a fraud. Remember, unless it is super-obvious, a bank cannot certify that a check is actually a fraud until 24-48 hours later. Therefore, don't be fooled if you cash the check and actually get back cash from the bank. If the bank finds that it is in fact a fraudulent check, YOU are held liable because you submitted it to the bank to be cashed. In the meantime, if you ship the item to the "buyer," you will find that you are now out x 3 -- no entertainment center, AND several hundred dollars short for shipping, AND accountable to the bank to pay back the amount of the cashed check. You just got duped into basically shipping an expensive item to a stranger, and he/she pays nothing out of pocket. Your only out would be to find out who the "buyer" was and sue him/her for the amount you owe the bank -- of course, you will never be able to track down this person.
Don't do it!
SCAM, SCAM, SCAM!!! Do NOT do it! Don't give them your name or address. If you already did, and you get a check in the mail, tear it up!!! Google "scams on Craigslist" and you will see this is a common scam. The check will look real, but its not. You will be left holding the tab.
Total scam! Exact same thing happened to my husband when he was trying to sell a car stereo.
Yes it is a scam! Stay away!
A very typical scam!
You can look up frequent scams on Craigslist - that one will be listed.
This is a scam and do not pay her. The cashier's check is bogus and the money you pay to the cargo agency is the money they get from the scam. This is posted right at the top of craigslist not to accept money orders, cashier's checks, etc. As a merchant I try to make people aware of this but many people see $ signs in this economy and think "great, extra money". Report her immediately and as she is using the internet to pursue this, this is a federal crime. There are several watchdogs groups as well as the FBI which pursue these types of people.
Good luck.
That sounds like a scam. Everytime I have bought something off of craigslist it has been with cash. DO not except the check from her. Cashiers checks can be fake or stolden.
I wouldn't do that deal. Cash only.
Total scam. When you post on CL - ALWAYS state in the ad cash only, no checks or money orders. If the object you are selling is something you can't reasonably take to a public meeting location, then make sure your hubby is home when the person comes to your home. I have successfully bought and sold many things on CL; just today I bought a double Baby Jogger City Mini stroller - but just be careful.
I have a friend that posts on CL occasionally and he never gives a buyer his address he will meet them at the nearest coffee shop and if he feels it is safe he will allow them to follow him to his house to see the item for sale. if they are truly interested they will agree, and understand his being cautious. that sounds like a scam and like they will take everything else in the house with them in their moving truck, and you get to pay for it! glad you didn't get hurt in anyway.
personally I would never accept anything but CASH or paypal
It is aTOTAL scam, Fake check. Anytime anyone offers to pay over the asking price beware!
Scam. Classic. Don't even respond.
It is a scam. Never take a cashiers check on craigslist. It will look legit and when you put it in the bank they will take it and then after a little bit the bank will find out its not and take the money out of your account. Good for you for being cautious.
Scam. Do NOT do it.
NO NO NO don't do it it is a SCAM My son got involved with selling his bike and it got me into a real mess with fake checks and leaving me overdrawn. Turn it in there are numbers to call and they will investigate. That is what my husband and I did.
C-
This is a scam. It says right on craigslist "any offers to send cashiers checks are 100% fraudulent" right at the top.
Hi,
You may have already gotten your answers by now but it is definitely a scam! This was on the news earlier this year. Please be careful....
It is a scam!!!!! Trust your instincts and do not correspond with the person.
SCAM! I get these emails a lot when I posted a few items on Craiglist, I always just ignored it. Your thoughts are correct and please don't give out your name and address.
definitely a scam...my husband works as a fraud police officer. HE sees this all of the time. Never ever take checks, cashier checks, money orders from people you do not know. When we sell on craigslist, we tell them cash only, and local pkup only. I also think its odd that they dont even want to take a look at it beforehand. I wouldnt give them any kind of information!
Sounds like a scam....don't fall for it.
SCAM!!!!!! This same scam has been circulating through bakeries this past year. Unless they are willing to come to your house or meeting place and give you CASH, just walk away.
I would be very concerned about paying with a cashier's check. I would ask for cash only.
I wouldn't do it unless you are getting the money through Paypal. Most purchases done on Craigslist are either picked up by the person themselves or they send a company and THEY pay the company. Do you have a paypal account? If you don't, open one -it's fast and easy and very secure. Tell her she will need to pay you through Paypal. If she still wants to do that and pay you the excess to give the pick up company -then fine. Paypal guarantees that you've received the money into your account. Don't allow her to send anyone before you've gotten that confirmation. Once you do -you should be fine.
Turn down the deal immediately. Definitely a scam!
SCAM!! This a classic scam and is posted somewhere on Craig's list as a warning.
I had the same thing happen to me. They said they loved the looks of my item and I didn't even post a picture. (I did not fall for it)
They send you a a very real looking, fake check that will bounce after they have your goods and then you will be responsible for FULL amount of bounced check and all charges involved.
BEWARE!!
Updated
SCAM!! This a classic scam and is posted somewhere on Craig's list as a warning.
I had the same thing happen to me. They said they loved the looks of my item and I didn't even post a picture. (I did not fall for it)
They send you a a very real looking, fake check that will bounce after they have your goods and then you will be responsible for FULL amount of bounced check and all charges involved.
BEWARE!!
I would not accept it. It sounds like a scam. When I sell stuff on ebay I only take a pay pal transaction. This gives you security and the knowledge that the money is where it is supposed to be.
Scam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do not do it! Its is a scam.
.
SCAM! I had the same thing happened to me when trying to sell my laptop
This is a well known scam that craigslist actually warns about (read the warnings on top of the page). Accept cash only, do not meet anyone alone in your house.
I used to do Craigslist quite a lot, never a bad experience (except for no-shows), but you have to be safe and smart about it!
Good luck!
Yup, It's a scam. :-)
I am very glad that you didn't jump at the offer, as TONS of people have been scammed by this very same thing. I got a lot of replies with the same basic story when I was trying to sell my FIL's 15 yr old car. Luckily, I had already heard my little brother's story who fell for the scam when he was a college student. He ended up having to work with the FBI to try to catch the crooks, since it was Grand Larceny.
This is a scam. I had an advertiser put my day care on Craigs List and got tons of e-mails from people coming here from Africa to work and they do not even know where I live. They ask if I would be willing to go to the hotel or my home and willing to pay more then I am asking. Once a reverend was coming for months with two girls about July and even called to ask my dress size so he could bring me a native attire.Then they sent me a cashiers check for $6500 which is way more the day care and any decent person would send them the rest back. But I took it to my credit union and they said it is a scam and by the time I found out and it cleared ( or not) they would be long gone. Since then I get tons of calls from Craigs list until I am not there any more and will never be again. Always a man with darling children wanting my best care and always willing to pay a lot. Do not do it. Get cash only Take care G. w
Yup, sounds like a scam. Also stay away from any reply that mentions Africa :)
I was looking at rental houses once & responded to a couple ads. The replies I got were from 2 different email addresses and "names" but it was the same story worded slightly different. A couple owned a house, but just found out they could purchase petroleum land in Africa, so they are moving to Africa, didn't want to sell their house & decided to rent it. Basically the supposed tenant would be completely responsible for taking care of the house, AND you were supposed to send the deposit & 1st month's rent to them in Africa in hopes of getting the keys back! LMAO! Are they serious??? I laughed for days about that.. haha
No it's not at all safe. I would report this as well, to Craig's List and to your local police. The police might want to put this info in a local news release to alert other people that things like this are going on.
Cash only. I guarantee it is a scam...it almost happened to us. It is always a fake cashier's check or certified check...and they always want to mail it, and they are almost always willing to pay more. If you have the money for a cashier's check...you have cash. It is that easy. Don't accepet ANYTHING besides cold hard $$.
I think it seems fishy to me but if it is a ceritified check (not a persnal check) it may be ok. If you decide to go forward, be sure to cash to the check (and it has completely cleared) prior to allowing pick up.
Don't accept a personal check...you could take it to the bank, pay the haulers, and then have the check bounce and you would be out of the money and your stuff.
I suggest requiring cash. I would tell her that she can write a check to the trucking company if they are ok w/ that.
I probably don't need to say it, but SCAM!! First, CASH ONLY! Second, unless in your case with something excessively heavy, I even try to meet the people in a public place. There are good people out there just trying to get a good deal & I've been really lucky so far, but not all are like that. It's good to keep your guard up. I had someone try this on me once. My husband told her sure. Later that day when I realized what he did, I sent her another email telling her no. I'm not comfortable with that set up. Needless to say, I never heard from her again & the check never came.
I sold on craig's list and posted CASH ONLY in my add's took a little longer, but checks these days (even if they say cashier's check) you never know...someone forged a "cashier's check" on my bank info...so from those i don't know...it's CASH ONLY and i have my little "counterfeit pen" ready to go
o! and schedule a "MEETING LOCATION" that is mutual but well populated, so they can't find out where you live...both to look at it AND to make the sell
She is sending you a cashier's check by courier, with an excess amount. But, you are supposed to pay the courier out of your own money (you can't cash the check while the courier waits, right?). Um. You are being scammed. You might consider calling the police and have them be there when the "courier" arrives.
this has scam written all over it. Don't do it.
those cashiers checks are forged and will bounce later.
Do not do it. Only take cash on site from CL customers. It is a total scam!
scam! I say always trust your gut instinct and when dealing with craigslist always deal in cash
Total SCAM!!!! Dont do it or give them any personal info. I dont know if you watch the show Teen Mom on MTV, but this is what just happened to a girl on there and she was out $3000 for a car deal gone bad.
Please dont do it! Somebody local will buy it.
Ugg scam. Skip her and move on
SCAM SCAM SCAM!!! Don't do it!! Anytime anyone wants to pay you more than they are supposed to and have you keep the money or pay someone else that is a scam!!!!! Email her back, say no thanks! We are just taking cash for the entertainment center.
I am telling you, there is about a .0001% chance this is not a scam. Last year someone in our area put a ring on craigslist and three people broke into their house, killed the father, beat the mother...it was awful. And they are my SIL's family. Don't give her your address, and if possible, when someone does come to buy the entertainment center try and sell it at a meeting place...if not, make sure hubby is home...maybe even a neighbor with you.
L.
From the horses mouth:
http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams
Its a total scam.
