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Camellia
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2004
- Messages
- 352
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hi all,
PLEASE be careful!
best wishes,
Camellia
scams and fraud from http://www.craigslist.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most people who use craigslist have great stories to tell about their experiences with buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords and such, but we also receive occasional reports of scams and fraud. We've found that one of the best ways to avoid this problem is to keep all transactions local -- whenever possible, don't do business with anyone who is not in your local area.
Use caution and common sense when dealing with any financial transaction:
DEAL ONLY WITH LOCAL BUYERS AND SELLERS! Most non-local inquiries on craigslist are scams.
NEVER wire funds to a distant buyer, via Western Union or any other carrier
Be wary if the other party wants to use an escrow service such as BidPay or Squaretrade
NEVER give out personal financial information (checking account number, SSN, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
trust your instincts, and always remember the most important rule -- BUYER BEWARE
If you think you have been scammed, contact the non-emergency number for your local police department -- they may be able to offer advice about your options.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who should I notify about fraud?
FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ifccfbi.gov/)
If you suspect that an item posted for sale on craigslist may be part of a scam, please email the details to "abuse@craigslist.org". Be sure to include the URL (or eight-digit post ID number) in your message.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recognizing scams
Most scams meet involve one or more of the following:
long-distance buyer or seller
offer includes a cashier's check, postal money order, Western Union, or escrow service (BidPay, Squaretrade, etc.)
refusal to meet face-to-face
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Types of Scams
1. distant seller indicates craigslist will guarantee the transaction through the Craigslist Protection Program
This program does not exist!!!! Craigslist does not have any role in any transaction.
Seller will request a down payment, and will provide detailed documentation of the "protection program".
2. distant buyer offers a high-value (but fake) cashier's check in exchange for your item
you receive an odd email (actual examples sent to craigslist sellers below) offering to buy your item site unseen.
cashier's check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for an apartment, or just about anything else.
value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - buyer asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service
banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR
scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)
3. distant seller requests payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:
seller often claims that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before he can withdraw your money - this is FALSE, once you've wired money, it is GONE.
common items currently: laptops, plasma TVs, cell phones, tickets - but could be almost anything
common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere
deal often seems too good to be true
4. distant seller offers to send you a cashier's check and then have you wire money:
this is ALWAYS a scam, in our experience - the cashier's check is FAKE
sometimes accompanies an offer of merchandise, sometimes not
scammer often asks for your name, address, etc for printing on the fake check
deal often seems too good to be true
5. distant seller suggests use of an online escrow service.
most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers
for more info, do a google search on "fake escrow" or "escrow fraud"
if you must do business with a distant seller, insist on a legitimate service, such as www.escrow.com
6. distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship goods
he says he trusts you with the partial payment
he may say he has already shipped the goods
deal often sounds too good to be true
Other Resources
U.S. Postal Service warning scambusters
PLEASE be careful!
best wishes,
Camellia
scams and fraud from http://www.craigslist.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most people who use craigslist have great stories to tell about their experiences with buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords and such, but we also receive occasional reports of scams and fraud. We've found that one of the best ways to avoid this problem is to keep all transactions local -- whenever possible, don't do business with anyone who is not in your local area.
Use caution and common sense when dealing with any financial transaction:
DEAL ONLY WITH LOCAL BUYERS AND SELLERS! Most non-local inquiries on craigslist are scams.
NEVER wire funds to a distant buyer, via Western Union or any other carrier
Be wary if the other party wants to use an escrow service such as BidPay or Squaretrade
NEVER give out personal financial information (checking account number, SSN, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)
trust your instincts, and always remember the most important rule -- BUYER BEWARE
If you think you have been scammed, contact the non-emergency number for your local police department -- they may be able to offer advice about your options.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who should I notify about fraud?
FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ifccfbi.gov/)
If you suspect that an item posted for sale on craigslist may be part of a scam, please email the details to "abuse@craigslist.org". Be sure to include the URL (or eight-digit post ID number) in your message.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recognizing scams
Most scams meet involve one or more of the following:
long-distance buyer or seller
offer includes a cashier's check, postal money order, Western Union, or escrow service (BidPay, Squaretrade, etc.)
refusal to meet face-to-face
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Types of Scams
1. distant seller indicates craigslist will guarantee the transaction through the Craigslist Protection Program
This program does not exist!!!! Craigslist does not have any role in any transaction.
Seller will request a down payment, and will provide detailed documentation of the "protection program".
2. distant buyer offers a high-value (but fake) cashier's check in exchange for your item
you receive an odd email (actual examples sent to craigslist sellers below) offering to buy your item site unseen.
cashier's check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for an apartment, or just about anything else.
value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - buyer asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service
banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR
scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)
3. distant seller requests payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:
seller often claims that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before he can withdraw your money - this is FALSE, once you've wired money, it is GONE.
common items currently: laptops, plasma TVs, cell phones, tickets - but could be almost anything
common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere
deal often seems too good to be true
4. distant seller offers to send you a cashier's check and then have you wire money:
this is ALWAYS a scam, in our experience - the cashier's check is FAKE
sometimes accompanies an offer of merchandise, sometimes not
scammer often asks for your name, address, etc for printing on the fake check
deal often seems too good to be true
5. distant seller suggests use of an online escrow service.
most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers
for more info, do a google search on "fake escrow" or "escrow fraud"
if you must do business with a distant seller, insist on a legitimate service, such as www.escrow.com
6. distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship goods
he says he trusts you with the partial payment
he may say he has already shipped the goods
deal often sounds too good to be true
Other Resources
U.S. Postal Service warning scambusters