When did Craigslist become the ultimate hangout for scam artists?

[echoSE7EN]

I tossed my PH1000 (for sale here) into the local Craigslist. I seriously cannot believe the number of potential scam artists that have contacted me. Seriously, in the past couple of days I have probably received 9 emails from "interested buyers" that suddenly try to pull the whole "send me your complete info. I will pay via certified check and arrange shipping through my trusted agent..."

Granted, some people have fallen for this stuff in the past. Heck, I'm sure people still fall for this crap once in a while. I hate scams. I've never been caught up in one, but they are simply annoying. I guess I was just naive regarding the "integrity" of people on Craigslist -- i.e. I thought LOCAL people would be looking, not fools in Carjackistan.

[Balog]

It's a great source to get people's emails. It'd be weird if it wasn't.

[Floyd Eye]

One day after it went online.

[hover]

Seriously, if it can be exploited, it will be exploited. It's a free service, you cannot really be surprised.

[warwick.hoy]

It's always been that way.

[waleross]

I thinks its true but up to a point. Recently during the Xmas holidays I decided to sell some of my Ampeg Cabs and other stuff that was too heavy to ship.....I did ok and even did business with a person who happened to be a member of this forum. I received about 10 inquiries and maybe half were bogus the other people were solid and paid in $$$...this was the first time I did business on Cl. You do have to watch who you invite to your home and feel out whether they are coming over to case your house or just tire kickers. This is no different than selling anything else. Like it was just said after all it is a free service and if you take care you can buy and sell items qucikly and safely.

[MJ5150]

In my experience, it has become much worse in the last year. Anything I sell over $100 draws the attention of the scammers.

-Mike