Is This A Craigs List Scam?

Bryce Frazier · Dec 8, 2015

Got this e-mail last night, about 9 o'clock. What do you guys think? Kind of weird, and I am honestly not sure what to say back other than, thanks, but no thanks?

Dear sir,

I am a retired wounded vet that is truly semi-capable. I am looking for things to do and bartering my time is on the table. You have many neat things listed, and I could be interested in anything. I am offering my time and have a 1 ton f350 to tow or haul. I am from local families and I am interested in any talk, with compensation of barter preferred. Thank you for your time.

At the end, he gave his first and last name, and his phone number. The area code WAS a 208, which is Idaho. . . Soooo??? Thoughts?

rockyridgefarm · Dec 8, 2015

I've been getting these as well. My BS detector goes off immediately because they do not mention anything about the item for sale. It goes off again when they try to give me another email address to contact them.

Kow Farmer · Dec 8, 2015

I get these BS messages too. And even BS texts from idiots as well. I just delete them.
Kow Farmer Kurt

rockyridgefarm · Dec 8, 2015

Wanna get rid of the texts? quit using CL's contact box. spell out numbers of your phone number. (six oh eight seven two three oh oh oh four) semi-intelligent people can figure it out. Scammers don't take the time, and their programs can't detect the words as numbers.

I used to get a lot of scam texts when I put my number in the box, now I get none.

NCWayne · Dec 8, 2015

The part where he says, "I am from local families" is a dead give away that it's some foreigner who still doesn't have a good grasp or the English language and the way we speak. In other words it's someone wanting to pull a scam of some sort.

dr sportster · Dec 8, 2015

Even if it is not a scam [which it is] do you really want to deal with that if it was a legit ad . Heck no!

WI Dan · Dec 8, 2015

(quoted from post at 11:27:57 12/08/15) is truly semi-capable....I could be interested in anything.....I am from local families....compensation of barter preferred....

Those odd, vague, non-descript phrases are a "RED FLAG" to me.

But, what the hey --> a phone call doesn't cost anything. Give him a ring and you'll know in a few minutes whether it's legit or not.

Bryce Frazier · Dec 8, 2015

Well, thats exactly it. I don't want anything to do with it, there is a reason I have two trucks, two trailers, and a dad!! I do my own hauling, thanks, but no thanks.

Mike M · Dec 8, 2015

My craigslist tip for the day.
I NEVER use the email feature or their phone number or text feature. That is a sure way to get scammers !
I DO always put my phone number right in my ad and spell out at least 1 of the numbers. Zero spammers since doing this but I do still get overly excited weird o's who never show up.
Serious buyers have no problems calling me and leaving a message if I am not there to answer.

CenTex Farmall · Dec 8, 2015

Scam.....Syntax and vocabulary both are a little off.

The fake messages have been getting better and better but you can still spot them. Funny thing is I got a long CL reply the other day that was legit.

JL Ray · Dec 8, 2015

I believe it a scam...but, I would message him back, see what is said. And if its a scam, I myself would see how long I could keep communicating with him just to waste his time.

Bryce Frazier · Dec 8, 2015

I am glad to see I am not the only person that had that idea. . . . .

Bryce Frazier · Dec 8, 2015

I got a WEIRD one, and I e-mailed back and said, "this is a scam, not interested"

Writes back "NO NO NO NO!! This is not a scam! My name is Josh! Please call me! 208 --- ----"

I thought about it, decided ahhhhh, why not!

Nice guy! Now the proud owner of a Farmall C too!!

Zachary Hoyt · Dec 8, 2015

I do not trust people in a business situation when the first thing they tell me is that they are a Christian or a disabled veteran. They are generally trying to rip me off, from what I have experienced so far.
Zach

paul · Dec 8, 2015

When I'm out in a social situation, I love to have conversations and discuss stuff.

When I'm selling something, I like to discuss the weather for 2 minutes, and then get to the point of the business.

That reply, which probably is a scam but might just be a good guy having a conversation, does not seem to be doing any sort of business with you.

If you feel like chatting with him socially good for you.

I would not undertake any business with him however. He did not appear to be offering any sort of good business discussion, just a rambling conversation.

The past few years very many scammers have used vets or people in service as their scam, so to me it would be odd for an honest person to start with that line of chat in reply to an ad. It certainly is a red flag!

Paul

Pete in MD · Dec 8, 2015

SCAM. Delete it and move on. You've got plenty of other things to take up your time.

Moonlite37 · Dec 8, 2015

208 is a cell phone area code for ATT here in Missouri Land lines have others

Bryce Frazier · Dec 8, 2015

Oh really?? All of our land lines in Idaho are 208.

North ID that is? No idea what down south, Bosie, etc is?

retired farmer · Dec 8, 2015

Look the phone # up on the web and see where the address is, if it is in Idaho. Sounds like a scam to me.

Nebraska Kirk · Dec 8, 2015

(quoted from post at 09:27:57 12/08/15) Got this e-mail last night, about 9 o'clock. What do you guys think? Kind of weird, and I am honestly not sure what to say back other than, thanks, but no thanks?

Dear sir,

I am a retired wounded vet that is truly semi-capable. I am looking for things to do and bartering my time is on the table. You have many neat things listed, and I could be interested in anything. I am offering my time and have a 1 ton f350 to tow or haul. I am from local families and I am interested in any talk, with compensation of barter preferred. Thank you for your time.

At the end, he gave his first and last name, and his phone number. The area code WAS a 208, which is Idaho. . . Soooo??? Thoughts?

SCAM!!
The poor grammar is a dead giveaway!!

MarkB_MI · Dec 8, 2015

If the first thing someone tells you is that they're a christian or a vet, you'd better hold on tight to your wallet.

CKain(MI) · Dec 8, 2015

I use Craigs List often and have had many scammers reply. Mostly ignore them. A couple weeks ago, I replied back to one with 'nasty ' remarks. Probably did't have any affect on him but since then, my email has been getting 40 to 50 spam AD's per day. I think they wanted a reply, just to 'sell' a workable email address. I will not reply to any again.
The scammers anyways say "I want to buy your item, the price is Ok".... Who doesn't ask questions about the thing for-sale ??? Well then they want to send a 'cashiers check',which has extra money and you are to wire it somewhere, blah blah blah. Don't respond to that ! !
Lately a responder has sent several emails requesting my cell-phone, so I did reply but I gave him a number to local law dept. and I increased my incoming spam ! !

CKain(MI) · Dec 8, 2015

It may be a scammer, however is much different then most. I have never run across a scammer that listed a name or number. That can be checked out. So what do they have to offer you ? Nothing....

Is This A Craigs List Scam?

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