OT help me please - Craigslist scam?

Riverslim · May 31, 2018

Potential buyer has such enthusiasm with first response - price is no problem, condition is no problem. Send your full name and address and check will be overnighted. I don't like that, sounds suspicious. How do they get you? (1958 Pontiac station wagon).

bjb in TX from Ne · May 31, 2018

Usually they are counting on you to let the item go or ship it with the check in the mail/ before the check clears. By the time it does bounce, you are out of the item and the money.

the tractor vet · May 31, 2018

Real simple only do CIF transaction face to face and have one of them PEN's that check for funny money and never deal alone always have BACK UP --------- OH CIF stands for CASH IN FIST , no check , no credit cards, no money orders, CASH

DoubleO7 · May 31, 2018

One way they scam is to send you a check.
Then the check will be for more than the sale.
They will want you to cash the check and send the extra via western union, etc. right away to their "shipper" so that they will come and get it.

There is no shipper as it is the check sender.

Then after several days or weeks your bank will declare the check to be fake. And will subtract the check amount from your account.

allisfan · May 31, 2018

He is correct, one way is they send you more than the price saying it is for shipping and want you to send the remainder to this address ASAP. The check turns out to be a fake and your money has already gone. I had a tractor for sale and they tried it, but I would not send the money until the check cleared, they emailed me constantly for two days then just disappeared.

Steve@Advance · May 31, 2018

He's being very obvious.

No one would offer price and condition no problem that was on the level.

The only person that will legitimately buy that would be a collector or restorer. It should be very easy to strike up a conversation that would let you know if he were for real. Ask some questions, what else he has, where is his shop... The answers will reveal whether he on the level or stumbling for answers.

If that goes well, then it's up to your gut feeling to trust him to bring cash and get the car and title.

If you are uneasy, offer to meet him at the police station parking lot to make the transaction. No need to let him come to your house that way.

grizz02 · May 31, 2018

that's the oldest C/L scam walk away

paul · May 31, 2018

Yup.

Some get fancy enough to create a real check (money transfer) then create a fake of the real one.

Send you the fake, let you cash it, then they cash the real one themselves.

The banks end up believing the fake one you cash; then take a while to sort out the real from the fake when the second (real) one shows up;
and you get your funds withdrawn much later than normal, after you would have believed the transaction had cleared. So trying to hold the item
for a week or two doesn't always work, they have found a way to greatly extend the take back period.....

Typically they are less sophisticated and send you 'extra' money on a fake check, and just want to make the few $100 bucks that they added on
to the bill, have you send it back to them.

Paul

grayrider · May 31, 2018

Scam, leave them alone unless you want to scam them back, I usually tell them make check to the Police Dept in my town and tell them that?s where it can be seen, no more response from them then, I?m a prankster too

Riverslim · May 31, 2018

Thank you gentlemen, yes he did say he would send funds for car AND MOVER FEE.

Billy Shafer · May 31, 2018

He will also move the money out of your account. Face to face with cash or no deal.

coshoo · May 31, 2018

No, they don't care about the "item"- they'll never send a shipper, because there is none- they are just after the few hundred extra dollars that you Western Union to the "shipper". Their check will later turn out to be phony, transaction will be reversed, and you're out the "shipping" money.

dr sportster · May 31, 2018

So how much do you want for this wagon ?

jim buford · May 31, 2018

A lot of those are popping up now on clist. Some with stuff to sell and some to buy what you have.

Crazy Horse · May 31, 2018

Doc ....... I did a Google, pretty general search but I did find this one in Montana. Might be the one, the only '58 that showed up. Riverslim is probably still running and won't see this reply or yours for that matter, the boys put a scare into him ..... ha!
Craigslist 58 Wagon ....... maybe ?????

Riverslim · May 31, 2018

Yes this is it, thanks

Duner Wi · May 31, 2018

Here is one way the can get you.

https://www.mybanktracker.com/news/simon-suspect-fake-cashiers-check

Kerwin · May 31, 2018

I agree with the other comments about the shipper fee being the tell for a scam. I've gotten that kind of a response on ads even for small things...a shipper/mover, really? Delete.

coshoo · May 31, 2018

Actually, Steve, he may well get a legitimate offer "sight unseen"- the pictures offer a pretty good story, especially the one showing the floorboards (and therefore, the frame) to be in good shape, and that's a decent price for a rare car. Especially true since this is going to need a restoration, so any other problems that don't show up in the pics are not going to be "deal breakers" to a guy who wants that car.

But I agree, the deal he told us about is a scam.

Traditional Farmer · May 31, 2018

Let them overnight the check it'll cost them about $40 and then just ignore them beat them at their own game.

Elton Fancher · May 31, 2018

It is a scam. You can cut back on the amount of those texts by not putting your phone number in the cl box provided for that. Also spell out one or two of the digits in the number. I don't know if they have some sort of program that reads these adds, but for the most part they are copying your info and obviously have no idea what you are trying to sell. You can also reply to them and ask that they add $100 good faith money, that is fun, or just reply " cash only "

Crazy Horse · May 31, 2018

Riverslim ....... I follow the auctions for collector cars and no doubt that older wagons are taking off for value. Realistically though, do you think you have a reasonable possibility of getting that kind of money for your wagon?

Riverslim · May 31, 2018

In a word, yes

Crazy Horse · May 31, 2018

Well, I suspect whoever buys it will rod the vehicle and be prepared to put in some money for the project. I must say, it certainly looks good body wise other than the floor pans and upholstery. I wonder what the reason all of a sudden for the popularity of old wagons? Good luck with your project, if you sell it, perhaps make a post at YT and let everyone know that someone picked it up. As for the scams, they must work for a lot of people, the scammers keep at it and I guess if they get one in a hundred, that works for them.

Frantz · May 31, 2018

Wagons have been gaining in popularity for over a decade. Mostly because they're awesome. At first they offered something different than a sedan, an excuse to have a 4 door rather than convertible or coupe. But gradually folks loved them for what they were. Nothing obviously missing trim wise from this car, and that is the hard part on these wagons. IDK about $4k. It feels high, but there aren't many out there to pick from. 58 is a good year IMO for Pontiacs if you're into the 50s thing. A restorer would want more there, and a hot rodder wouldn't demand such a nice body and all the trim. I'd think with the engine/transmission there $4k would be easy to get. I just hope a SBC doesn't end up under the hood. What a boring way to power a really cool car.

mtny · May 31, 2018

I always specify cash in person . That shakes out all the scams.

CKain(MI) · May 31, 2018

I agree with that,, they not interested in the 'item'..they just want the 'overage' in the check sent back quickly !!!
I use CL alot. Since I now state CASH ONLY, and put a couple letters in my number,the scams have stopped. I listed a horse once, reply said, I will buy your item, price ok, will send a check, with extra $ and you wire the extra, after keeping $50 for yourself!! NEVER one question about the horse !!!

Kansasredneck · May 31, 2018

When you get the check, tell them it will cost a heck of a lot more to ship the car to Nigeria.

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 1, 2018

The best course of action is to terminate all contact with this person, and flag their email with Craigslist. Then be done with it.

You are not "pranking" them or "scaring" them with your clever "turn the tables" schemes. They just move on to their next mark. Don't waste your time.

Also, "h o o k e r i z i n g" your number by spelling out some of the numerals doesn't work anymore. They have algorithms that can figure out the numbers. Either use the contact area provided or leave your number in cleartext, and Craigslist will cover it up so that the reader needs to click on it to see it. There is bot/abuser detection whenever the number is clicked on, and it won't display for bots or people who try to reveal lots of phone numbers.

OT help me please - Craigslist scam?

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