I’m selling a lightly used home theater system on Craigslist and after a week of no activity and no interest I sudden got an email from someone who says they’ll pay full price plus a few dollars if I’ll accept a money order. Now obviously that’s suspicious, but I dunno, maybe it’s legit. Should I accept a money order as payment for stuff I am selling on Craigslist?
No you should not.
Let me explain the why’s and wherefore’s, though, so you understand why this is a tricky way to separate you from your stereo system or other expensive electronics.
I’ll start by saying that I have also experienced this sort of thing, and the email I got from the buyer looked like this:
From: suzandavis003@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Philips HTS8100 compact home theater system (North Boulder, Colorado)
I am willing to pay your asking price.I will pay by money order as its the only way i can pay you at the moment.I will make arrangement for the pick-up after payment have been received by you. I dont mind adding an extra twenty dollars so you can keep it in my favor.Please take the posting off craigslist today and consider it sold to me.
Regards
Susan Davis
Now, in addition to the whole payment thing and the strange not minding paying an extra $20 for no reason (what legitimate buyer offers to pay more than the asking price?) I also noticed that her email address indicated she was “Suzan”, but she signed it “Susan”. Quite unlikely to be her (or his) real name.
More importantly, the words money order have become a flashing red warning sign in the world of ecommerce and auctions, and, heck, the very top of the email from the potential seller said:
To test out whether it was a scam or not, I responded with: “I’m afraid that’s not going to work for me. I only accept cash, as I indicated in the advert.” and, of course, never heard back.
But I was curious: how does this Craigslist (or, presumably, eBay or any other transaction) scam work? So I dug around a bit and here’s what I found from the US Postal Service, in a document ominously titled Top Six Counterfeit Check or Money Order Schemes [PDF]:
“You place goods for sale online. The perpetrator poses as a buyer, sends you a check or money order for more than the purchase price, and asks you to wire the excess money to a third party (often someone in a foreign country who allegedly handles shipping logistics). This scheme may be used for large items sales, such as automobiles, motorcycles, or boats.”
Gosh, that sure sounds like what the buyer had suggested!
The Postal Inspectors document goes on to explain what happens in these cases:
“You deposit the check into your account and wire the money to the contact (the employer, shipper, cyber-soulmate, businessman, etc.) when the funds are posted to your bank account. Few consumers realize that, while banks are required to post checks within a matter of days, it generally takes weeks for a check to clear. Weeks later the bank notifies you that the check was counterfeit or stolen, and you are responsible for the full value of the deposited check.”
Phew! The short answer is what I gave at the beginning: Just say no!
Good luck and be careful out there, whether you’re on eBay, Craigslist or just selling something through your local newspaper.
NOW TIME: GLAD I FOUND THIS: MANY THXXX and it’s now Fall 2021, and this article is, SADLY, timeless, from 2008? …almost exactly 13 years ago? I was selling a big, chunky curio cabinet in So Cal with a light fixture inside: the buyer “Edward Donato” emails this from the Los Angeles area Craigslist email link, THAT has expired (4 months, OK, pandemic, been too busy to follow up) by the time I found it in MY invisibly CL connected email, months later for some reason: “I just want to pick it up. does it work perfectly? I never check CL mail. my mail address is gizmowbtacey.shapiro.97@gmail.com” …. WORK PERFECTLY? Seemed weird for a light fixture, when I wrote it did, “…excellent condition”.. I got real hopeful though, and emailed from my personal email acct (STUPID), before taking time to research, so mad at myself. Within hours of my emailing them and giving my cell phone and region of city, and adding a copy of the original ad, with price, I get this response at 5am: from a different person: marcie scott “Thanks for returning my message. I’m currently not in town for now, so I won’t be able to meet with you due to my work frame and also we are very busy at this time preparing for our daughter’s wedding but I’m okay with the price and condition as shown on the advert. I’ll proceed in issuing a cashier’s check to you and when you receive the payment and it clears your bank, I will make arrangements for the pick up. I will also add an additional $50 to hold it down for me. So get back to me with the details below to mail the check out to you asap…….
Name to be on the payment ………..
Address to mail the check to ……..
City, state and Zip code …………NOT P.O BOX
Final Asking price……………….
Phone number to text you on
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SO, I add all this and hope our Beloved Host will allow it, so if anyone sees this again, for THEIR CL ad response, they’ll know its a scam: do the scammers look up OUR COMMENTS like this to refine their pitches? I see this one to me didn’t mention a “pay-back” of any kind, but suspect it will come “later”? So much valuable time I have already wasted, but had to get my episode out there to help some one else, I hope. Will my city Police detectives agree to let me give their names and addresses, as my proxy? Is it worth that risk, since they have my name and email? BLEHHHHH.. so much wasted energy by all players: we could’ve all brainstormed ‘Save The World’ policies instead?
[ADMIN: please nickname me Sleeping Beauty]
I have the criminals mail me fake checks and money orders. Then I spoof western union payments and have them running all over attempting to retrieve money at western unions.I had some crooks driving hundreds of miles across Texas as I instructed them that I had specified a specific location and I changed the location 3 times. I have a collection of large cashiers checks totaling over 200K. And I always insist the scammers pay to overnight me my payment or the deal is off. I like to laugh at them and tell them I have decided to keep all their money. I laugh more when they threaten to call the FBI and police. I laugh at them and say I spent all their money on drugs and the authorities will never take me alive. I figure if I am giving them the runaround they won’t be scamming poor low IQ peoples.
Wow, this just happened to me as well, I listed a wedding dress (anyone here need one???) and I got texts for 2-3 days from not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, but SIX scammers all saying the exact same thing, that they wanted to pay me via cashiers check and they were going to pay extra and have me give part of the money to their “carrier” or mover. I was very weirded out by that and was wondering what kind of scam this could be, since I thought a cashiers check would be legit. But I guess it’s not, because I Googled this and found your web page!!! I wrote back these scammers basically saying “Go eff yourself” and said I was going to report them to the police and I blocked all their phone numbers. Here are the numbers they texted from: (206) 462-1453, (518) 333-5436, (714) 592-4827, (262) 346-7489, (978) 905-8135, (347) 796-5738. Only one of them provided a name, which was “Linda Cage”.
This is horrible, I hope these people get caught and go to jail.
Thank you all for your help! I just posted a sofa yesterday and within minutes got a reply from someone who said they would like it for their daughter who is moving out of state. They wanted to send me a money order which would be cleared in about 24 hours according to him. Then he will give me extra money for the movers (included in that money order). Then within hours I received another Email from somebody different saying almost exactly the same thing. He wanted me to take it off of craigslist because he said I should consider it sold. Thank God that I Did get the second email because then I was very skeptical. The phone # I received was 9727521097 and his name was Jordan Henderson. The 2nd person was Peyton Davis at 9172750143. Through this forum I realized that the money order would be fake so thank you everyone!!!
Just got another scammer. 3 in one day! Amazing. I guess these guys are working overtime before the holidays. So horrible that they’re hurting people during the best time of year. Karma folks karma. This latest one was a man who claim to be a University researcher with long hours. His number is 6465356423. Beware!!
This just happened to me and my dad. Email used the name Guzman Owens and Frank Owens. My father gave him his phone number and address. I’m worried for their safety now!
I just posted to sale my refrigerator in Craigslist a few days ago immediately a guy was interested, and email me from Craigslist list and stated that he will send me a cashier check and another name of a person who will be picking it up. Immediately I begin googling on scammers. I told the guy okay, giving him my information to my p.o. box to mail. Than he wanted my number to text and let me know that it has been mailed. I get a text saying that he just had surgery last night, but he is sending more so I can pay the movers. I texted back wishing him a speedy recoverying and I will let him know once I make the deposit. I already know it is a scan, I just going to see how far they’re going to go, I am curious how much more is going to be sent. Once I received the cashier’s check, I will call and say that I am at the bank and the teller needs to ask a few questions. The names are Guzman Owens and Frank Owens is the one to pickup but just had surgery. His number is 720-361-0765. This is sad and awful at it’s best.
Please explain how he would make money if he sends me a money order and never picks up the item. the money order is no good but what does he get from this deal? Even if he does pick up the item it is useless to him ( in my case a big old chair) I can see it with quality tech equipment, jewelry etc. but a chair needing upholstery?
..maybe some of the seemingly lesser events are “tutoring, practice tests” for their interns? I have a deep feeling they plan to sell any info FROM US, to dark data-collectors, who may eventually get enough info on persons, from many directions, over time, to advance serious harm… 3rd-ly, most “marketing” firms do not know where the info THEY get comes from, for legit business LISTS purchases… how do these folks sleep at night?
Thank you so much for this post! I was trying to see my range and I had the exact same experience. I literally got five different out-of-state interested buyers. One who said he would by it and would send a money order with extra for the movers. When I asked if he was local, the answer was yes. That made no sense to me. Very happy that a quick internet search brought me here. Glad to have my gut instinct confirmed!
Sadly, people fall for these scams. I’m glad someone posted this…I got the same scam and immediately knew it was a scam but I wanted to troll the person a bit.
This was from 765 761 5258…I got another text from another scammer on a different item from number 415 475 9253
Still available for sale?
Yes it is
I’ll prefer to pay cash, but am leaving town today for a job. Send your full name and address for payment by Money Order. You will get in 3 to 4 days with USPS delivery tracking and pick up subsequently. I will add fifty dollars for the delay.
When will you pick up the item?
Once you receive the payment and get it cashed you can let me know the best time for pick up and pick up address i will make arrangement for immeidiate pick up okay?
So you’re going to give me $225 for an item I’m asking $175 for, let me cash the money order and then wait for you to find a time to pick it up? What if I’m a dishonest person and never contact you?
I a honest man and I believe in karma so I hope so to you. Once you send me your full name and mailing address I will make sure your payment goes out ASAP.
Ok…sounds fair. here’s my info. Killer the cat, 1234 Main St, New Zealand, New York, 91473
I need your name that will be writen on the payment so you won’t have any issues cashing the payment and so the payment will not be delivered to the wrong person.
Killer the cat is my name. my parents have a strange sense of humor.
……no response…..
I sell things on craigslist for years.. I get these all the time. They are fake money orders or payroll checks. U need to be careful, once i cashed a 900.00 one at wellsfargo., not realizing it was fake. I ended up ruining my credit for ten years. I still remember the bank teller cashing it,I brought the bank the envelope, fed x pkg it went to the fraud unit to no aval. I must say, ive wired money out of state and had good success buying vintage motorcycles. Yes, its a risk. the buyer and seller need to be on the same page. I can usually tell if its a fake by, 1) asking seller to take a real time photo. 2) confirm a piece of mail online. check address on line. but these are not 100% safe technics BUYER BEWARE
So glad I found this page. Just received an “Available?” text message and when I texted back that it was and were they interested, this is the reply I received…”Am leaving town today for a job. Send me your full name and address for payment by M O then you will get in 5 – 7 days and pick up subsequently. I will add $30 for the delay.”
Yeah, IMMEDIATE red flags and I did a search for a scam like this and this page popped up. Keep getting the word out there guys! Phone number is: 954-459-3039. I responded back that I don’t accept money orders, cash only, and low and behold, no response back.
I listed a Chevy truck for sale on Craig list, I got two different texts wanting to send me a check for full price they would have their shipper pick it up when I got the cash, they only seen a few pictures of it they never asked me any questions about the truck at all, from two different numbers, I sent both numbers back a text say I could only accept cash, haven’t heard anything back since, here are both numbers 805-751-6416 and 505-336-3300, thank for all the good information Gary.
Hi,
I just received a text a little while ago asking if the bass guitar I am selling is still available. I said yes and sent two pics to them, I got a reply back that they would like my name and address and that they would mail me a money order. I decided to check online to see if it was a scam and thankfully came upon your post. I decided to message back “don’t you want to look at it before you buy it” and I added that I only would accept cash. I did get a reply back saying “Ok, thanks for your time”. No name or anything further. There was no mention of over payment. I figure if they were really interested they would let me know.
Phone number was 215-372-4363 out of Philadelphia which is about an hour from me.
Really makes it a pain to sell something.
Thanks for all the people who wrote there stories!
Kind regards
Scott
Every freaking time I post something on craigslist, within a day or two I get message from these scammers. First he asks “Available?”, then he tells me this bs about money order and adding $40 on top of that for inconvenience. I can’t believe. Every time!!! And I post a lot.
I just put a brand new, unused $300 Michael Kors purse on Craigslist Hampton Roads for $200. I received a response in only an hour after the post, same verbage used…I am interested, will add $50 for the shipment to keep it in their favor, please remove it and consider it sold. Will have their assistant send me a money order and asked my name and address. I already deleted the text, knew it was a scam. Asked them how they saw the purse on my local Craigslist when they are in Florida? had a 407 area code. Used the name Steve.
I just received the same exact message from a “purchaser”. I told them that I only take payment by paypal, through Ebay where i also have the item listed or cod!! Still tried to get me to take a cashier’s check. I told him to go scratch. I listed the item Sunday morning, and within the hour I received two such messages with the exact verbage above. I don’t want to sell on Craigslist because of this crap!!
Just almost got scammed by a Guy WITH THE NUMBER 954-947-1593 — He was trying to buy my beats by dre studiowireless headset from mev(MCM Edition), they’re sold out everywhere so I asked for the full retail price he promised 600 and a extra 40 for holding it for him and I thought that was odd because who wants to pay more than they have to for a item it wasnt until later that I looked up this number and saw someone place a comment on it saying SCAMMER ON CRAIGSLIST BEWARE and though oh crap, what did I get myself into thinking he was gonna send a legit money order to me! whenever I sent him a message he just responded the same long paragraph “need your full name and address, Am paying by M.O., am adding forty dollar for keeping it in my favour” what a piece of s***!
Repeat offender at 201-283-8445, originally found this on http://findwhocallsyou.com/201-283-8445. Watch out — and cash only, in person!
Same thing happened to me. Replied to txt I got through email and got this response.
Good, I am ready to buy it now as a gift for my daughter, I am at sea at the moment as i am a marine engineer and due to the nature of my Job,so l won’t be able to come and check it.
I’ll have to arrange for a pickup agent( Shipper ) who will be coming to pick it up as soon as the payment is made and i’ll like to pay u through PayPal and do u have a PayPal acct so i can make the payment of the funds or if u don’t have one, u can set up at http://www.paypal.com it’s fast and easy to set up.
Thanks for your understanding ..
Mrs.Jessica
Sent it to kijiji and paypal.
So I’m selling a dress online for 250. I get a text if I still have the dress in the same day I posted! Of course I was excited, they asked me for info so they could have their assistant send a money order. Then turns out she sent an overpaymentioned and accidentally sends two money orders, and if they could trust me on sending their half back. So I get the money order, it’s from PA when I live in FL. But it doesn’t have a return address. And the money order is filled out for 985!!! I have asked the person multiple times what was their name so I can send back the money via Western union and they haven’t responded to that. They just ask if I have received the payment…. I have no idea what to do! Someone help! Do I just rip up the money order? What happens if I try to cash the money order?
The money order is a fake. I’d put it on a shelf and save it for a few weeks, but email them and say that you’ve cancelled the transaction and offer to mail back the money order. Save your email to them. And wait. They’ll just vanish!
Wow. Here I was thinking I sold my wardrobe on Kijiji.
Same thing -“Thank you for your swift reply…” and so on.
I knew it was a little strange when this person didn’t even try to haggle the price.
I thought a money order was as good as it gets.
BTW -This person goes by the name MELINDA JACK and has an area code of 310.
Anyhow. I went ahead and sent my info for payment delivery. Money order is apparently “on the way” – I will simply tear it up and keep on trying to sell the item online.
What desperate times we’re in.
cheers
Omg it just happened to me. Thanks for this post
So what happens if you take the Money Order, cash it? the bank still holds money form you? and what if you go to a check cashing place like walmart that doesn’t require a bank card…what happens when i cash the check? they can’t trace my bank account or anything.
I just had a similar situation, I was selling a Dark Gray Sofa using Offerup app and a lady wrote me saying she really wants the sofa, that she going to instruct her assistant to send the payment because she was about to take a flight to London (was really estrange to me that someone checking at the airline counter was checking offerup, but you know there is crazy people), well she said she will be sending a money order and once i have my money on hand she will have someone picking up the sofa.
the money order took almost two weeks to arrive and I write her back and told her i will wait no more and will put back the sofa for sale, then she wrote again saying that her assistant made a mistake sending the payment, she send more money (never said how much more) and ask me to deposit the money order and send back the rest of the money.
Finally the mail arrived and I received two money orders for $ 915.00 each one, was sent from an address in North Arlington, VA, and i wrote back asking her an explanation how can someone send almost 1500.oo dollars more and how she is planing to pick up the sofa if I am in Miami, FL.
vstrawderman600@gmail.com
this is the email address from we were communicating .
I am LITERALLY just talking to this person right now! Wanted to sell a rug, got a jumbled text
“I’ll prefer to pay in cash but i’m leaving town for a work, I will have to prepare and mail your payment by money order which I’m sure you will get within two to three days, I’ll add thirty dollars extra for the delay. Pls let me know where to send your payment i wont want to loose it to someone else, so send me your mailing address and the name you want on the payment so i can make the payment asap”
I asked when they would be getting back, because if they were serious I offered to just hold it for them, as I hadn’t received any other offers on it. They responded with:
“yes am serious……..am out of time for a business trip send me your mailing address and full name so as to instruct my assistant to make the payments asap”
I responded that I wasn’t really comfortable with giving out that much personal information and offered to use paypal instead. They responded:
“This is the only way i can make the payment at the moment due to my schedule and i believe everything ll go smoothly thanks and let me know your mailing address and the name you want on the payment, so i can mail it out asap”
At this point I decide to see if anyone else has received this kind of message and lo and behold, the original message is quoted verbatim in this comments section! At this point I ask how they are planning on getting the rug, as they have mentioned nothing about actually obtaining the item (and they’ve sounded like a poorly spelling robot the whole time) and I have received no further responses.
The number is (862) 246-7141. Please be aware!
I literally just had the same exact text mumbled text and all from someone wanting to buy my washer and dryer their number this time was 754-202-9400 from Hollywood, Florida!
Jordans for sale, Jackson Gordon txtd me from 727-914-5818 telling me that he will have his assistant send me a money order which will take 2-3 business days, he will pay 30 extra dollars, please provide details (name, address..) and will make an arrangement for a pickup after i receive the payment…..what bafoonery! i txtd him that id love for him to send a money order to a complete stranger lmao
Same happened with me 5 min ago…. Thanks to this post I could avoid getting scamed!
I want to add another number to this list. 307-242-1530. He said he wanted to buy my R9 290X with a “certified check” and that he will “have my movers come pick it up after you must have cashed the check so text me the name and address you want on the check”. What a scam.
I got one from the same number for my vintage alloy wheels.
Literally same number for my alloy wheels as well. I said, seems sketchy, I’m only going to accept cash. Haven’t heard back since.
Yes, it still happens a Woman just texted me to ask me to hold the item for $40 more I’m selling it for $75 she said she is out of town and she will send the MO with her assistant if I hold the item for her. Her number is 786-471-3177
She just left me a message asking to pay with something by M.O – money order and pay extra to hold it, the number is 786-471-3177. SCAMMER. When i called her out on it and told her she was a thief I never got a response back.
I’m selling something on craigslist and received a text with the same pay with money orders and him having an assistant and will pay 30.00 extra for the delay of having payment mailed the number is 405-801-9313 name was Eric, Sounded like a scam to me, And from looking at the previous comments it looks like it is. The number carrier is in Oklahoma.
Will be adding a new number to this. (420) 287_7425
Grimm fairy tales wonderland omnibus-$50 Hello do you still have it for sell i am looking for buy? 8:11pm
Hi! 🙂 Yes, I still have it for sale. If you would like more pictures, I could send some your way. 8:18pm
Hi, am ok with the price… I will instruct my assistant to prepare and mail your payment which I’m sure you will get in about 3-5 business days. I’ll add $30 extra for the delay. I’ll pay by money order so send me your info (I.e. full name, mailing address and) I will also make arrangement for pick-up which will be after you must have received and cashed the payment. Awaiting your info. Thanks, Robin. 9:20pm
I’m sorry, I do not have an account of any kind for a money order. 9:32pm
I’m selling an all in one series omnibus and they’re talking about an assistant and sending over money via money order? No thanks. Second I read assistant and they’ll pay more than asking price, I knew it was a scam.
I was contacted by text message agreeing to purchase my item. Buyer stated this exactly- will pay by money order the only option ive got for now to pay you dont mind shipping in a bit extra say 50$ so you can keep it in my favor. hope its in good condition. send ur fullnames and address so i can have my assistant mail the payment to you. i will update you on the item delivery mode. really need it so please take off the ad from the listing. thanks Dray Mark. I am just waiting for my money order now so I can take it to the Sheriffs office. I googled Dray Mark and his name popped up as a craigslist scammer. The number he contacted me from is (321) 420-5769. Around Orlando,Fl. and I am in Mississippi. posted May 14,2015
Same name and number trying to buy an antique buffet I have listed! Dray Mark (321) 420-5769.
Also text from 1410100002…not even a phone number.
And 216-468-5174
They say they cannot speak on the phone because they are deaf…really?!?!
All of them are deaf?!?!?1
Nyc: Just got offered full price for stroller I’m selling plus $40 if I would accept money order (no thank u, I only accept cash)
There number is (201) 283-8445
Beware!!!
Just got a response from this same number!! Great thing I read this!!
elizabeth anderson
10:39 PM (1 hour ago)
to me
Hello… I’m so sorry for late response .. I will be buying from you so
please kindly withdraw the advert from Craigs-List. i will be paying via
certified check from my Bank it will be delivered to you via UPS Next Day
Air,so I’ll need you to provide me with the following information
facilitate the mailing of the check…
Full name to be on the payment and full of address with Apt # suite #
including your cell phone,and a firm price.I will make arrangements for the
pick up as soon as you have your money I am completely satisfied with the
advert and the payment will be delivered via UPS.
Thanks
Another name and phone number to the list of scammers. His name was given as Alexander and the phone number that texted me is: 424-217-7067.
Similar story as most others – he was paying with a money order, his assistant sent to much and wanted me to send it back western union. Sounded fishy so I started searching to see if anyone else had the same issue. I told him the deal was off since I found out he was a scammer and there as been no communication from him since!
My story is identical to yours!! Selling spin bike. Buyer offered to send me money order and an additional $40 to “keep it in my (buyer’s) favor.” Then I get a text saying there is a “mix-up in the payment my assistant sent to you.” The buyer realized that his assistant sent an overpayment to me and sent me two money orders instead of one. I was asked to cash the money order at my bank, deduct my money, and “return the balance back to me (buyer) via western union money transfer.” No thank you!!! Beware….
That’s EXACTLY how the person worded it for me! But I only got suspicious when I finally received the money order of 985$!!! The dress I’m selling is freaking 250, how does your assistant accidentally sent that much more??? So now I’m here with this big money order and I have no idea what to do!
Selling a tablet for 50 bucks. Person texts me and says price is fine but can pick up for 5 days because they are on a business trip and would like to add 30 bucks to it for me to hold til his assistant can pay me via money order or check. Now the item brand new is 65 bucks! I am not stupid. The phone number is from Florida anyways. Told them cash only and that they don’t need my name and address. We can meet somewhere in public. Told him I thought it was a scam and never heard back.
Just did the same thing: a $50 printer (the “item”) that they offered to have their “secretary” send a money order for $25 to hold. I told them take the $75 and go to Staples and buy a printer. Wish I had suggested having the secretary come and pick it up, she would be safe b/c my husband is in law enforcement.
Seems like some really dumba** scammer to waste time on a $50 item. Guess there’s a hierarchy of stupidity even among the stupid.
I got this one today:
Hello,
Thanks for your swift response,I am sorry that i could not longer
come to view it because i had a change in my work schedule but i
believe am okay with the condition as stated in the ad. I am ready to
make instant purchase. My mode of payment would be in Certified Bank
Check via USPS or FedEx which will be delivered to you in 1 to 2days.
I’ll arrange for a local pick up as soon as you get the
check cashed and have your money in hand , I would have really love to
come for the viewing but due to my work frame that might not be
possible and i promise everything will go smoothly. Kindly provide me
the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check to
you as soon as possible.
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Postal Code:
Cell Phone Number:
Agreed price to sell :
And as soon as this is provided, the payment will be overnight to
you and i will let you know when its mailed out. Thanks and I hope we
handle this in good faith while waiting to hear from you. I will add
an additional $30 so that you can hold it for me till the check reach
you.
Thanks
Bob Trinchero
I got the exact same email and after i gave my information I’m afraid they might show up at my door.
What can I do?
Help!
Don’t worry, they won’t show up at your door. It’s just a scam to part you from your money. But if someone does show up, call 911 if you fear for your safety. Definitely do NOT let them in, and do not complete the transaction.
A guy text me and said he would pay 800 for my pool table. He wanted my address, name. He will send cashiers check. he called me but it was from a 239 area code and Im in 480. Seemed strange he didn’t want to see pool table and said one I have check postd in bank he would have his mover pick up the table. HMMM??
Sounds like a scam to me, Laura!
Same identical O’Riely message above Happened to me yesterday and now got another one on my other item today! Offered $50 more than the item asking price and said his assistant will mail a cashiers check. I did an area code look up and he is out of North Carolina and this made it clear that no one from NC is going to pay $50 more for an old beat up garage refrigerator! Then they must share information because I got another one this morning for my other item!! did an email address look up and it came back as suspicious possible fraud. Thanks for the article really proved that both are scams.
What’s the person email or phone #
I think im dealing with the same person. Numbe4 is 209 732 7388.. Anyone else have this person trying to scam you?
Ive been trying to sell two tvs on CL for a little while now, I first experienced the same email from some one with an explanation why they were away and wanted to pay by money order. I thought it was strange and asked for cash…no response. Then it happened twice more, I always ask these people why they would not want to come make sure the TVs work before sending a stranger a decent amount of money, and as always no response. here are two numbers to watch out for:
(678) 734-0865 goes by Dickson Matters…dick matters? really lol
(856) 473-4634
Thats funny, I woke up to a text from the 856 number this morning trying yo buy my tablet from me and the offered me a money order
Me: Yes, the car care manual is still for sale. 9:38 AM
Car Book Query: I’ll pay with Money Order & U’ll receive in 4days. So text me your name & address 11:33 AM
Car Book Query: I’m going out of town for a job so my Assistant ll mail ur payment & Pickup ll be after U receive & cash the MO. John 11:33 AM
Me: I’m sorry, it’s a cash only transaction. We can meetup when you get back. Cash only, please have exact change. Thank you! 11:38 AM
This guy’s number is 1-515-329-0633
And another…
Natasha Holt wrote:
Hi,
Thanks for the response. I am willing to pay your asking price. I will pay you with Money Orders as its the only way i can pay you at the moment due to the fact that i am away for a family emergency. I will make arrangement for the pick-up after payment have been received by you. I don’t mind adding an extra $30 just for you to keep it in my favor. Reply with your full name and address where payment should be sent,and a phone number where i can reach you.Please take the posting off Craigslist today and consider it sold to me.
Expecting to hear from you soon.
Regards,
Natasha
Hi Matt,
I just got scammed by this same woman. I was wondering if you took any action against her, and if you did, whether or not I should do the same. This is my first time getting scammed, and I have no idea where to go from here. Thanks so much!
~Elizabeth
Yup, definitely still at it. I just got this message:
Hello,
Thanks for the response.I am willing to pay your asking price.I will pay by money order as its the only way i can pay you at the moment as i am away.I will make arrangement for the pick-up immediately after payment have been received by you. I don’t mind adding an extra forty dollars so you can keep it in my favor.Please reply with your full names,cell phone number, and address where payment should be sent.Expecting to hear from you soon.
Regards.Tony Butera
Me too!
from the same guy – Tony Butera
They are still at it; just got this e-mail from “Ben Anderson” B Anderson ;
Hello,
Thanks for your prompt response, However, i will need your name and
address for payment,As am only able to make payment by money order at this time b/c i am away on assignment.
It will be nice if you can send me more pictures. It will take about 4days payment to get to you. As per pick-up, I will make arrangement for the pick-up after payment has been received by you. I don’t mind adding fifty dollars so you can keep it in my favor.
Please take the posting off Craigslist today and consider it sold to me, Include your phone number. Expecting to hear from you soon.