Scammers are getting better and better

[totallyfrozen]

Some of the wording chosen is the British usage and not American; however, the rest of the letter strongly suggests that he's not a native English speaker. Hmm...who has very poor English and the English they do have is British?
I'm thinking Eastern Europe, Europe, Africa, and most 3rd World Countries (the ones that aren't French speaking). That's a big red flag to me. That and he doesn't seem to know much about the oil industry based on a couple of things that he said...makes me suspicious.

 

[totallyfrozen]

I think "advert" and "programme" are correct in British English. The problem I would have is that the indefinite article is left out in several places, something done a lot, for instance, by native speakers of Slavic languages.

^^nice!^^
I think we're on the same vibe.

 

[Muzoid]

I would also think that even replying to said scammers gives them your email address, which they can then sell/pass to other scammers...and eventually you will be flooded with email scams.

 

[Jim Campbell]

I would also think that even replying to said scammers gives them your email address, which they can then sell/pass to other scammers...and eventually you will be flooded with email scams.

my email has a "report spam" function.....i press that and without even opening the spam it reports and deletes......done....

 

[shadow_FIX]

Always just look for someone who refers to the product by name/color/model in the response. When they say is "it" still available, this is a red flag.

I use Paypal on a regular basis with no problems...you just have to be smart about who you're dealing with. Whenever I inquire about something, I say something like "Hi there, I was wondering if the black 2000 MusicMan Stingray5 you have for sale is still available?" That way the other person should be able to distinguish that it's not automated and I'm an actual bass player interested in the actual product he's selling.

 

[walker rosewood]

I don't trust anything with a gmail account. It seems the scammers always have a gmail. I also put an email address into google, and if it's a real person they're usually on a forum, or database, etc.

Whenever I post on CL a put the obligatory "if it's still posted its still available. If you send me an email that says 'still available?' I will not reply"

 

[totallyfrozen]

...Whenever I post on CL a put the obligatory "if it's still posted its still available. If you send me an email that says 'still available?' I will not reply"

What's the point of that?

 

[JoeVictim]

I now provide the address and phone number to the local police station for them to inquire about the "item".

 

[My name is Mudd]

I don't trust anything with a gmail account.

I have two gmail accounts...just sayin...

 

[Adef187]

Even eBay is **** anymore. Anyone can easily bypass any buyer requirements or restrictions you put in your listings. For instance, I've had two items "sold" in the past week to buyers who didn't meet my feedback threshold, nor my requirement that they have a shipping address in the US.

The scammers, while still easily spotted, are fraking everywhere.

 

[Stumbo]

My cousin is a post master with the U.S. Postal Service. He told me to always pay by bank check or money order, a postal money order is even better. Then send it via U.S. Mail.

If the seller does not ship the item or it is not as described, they have committed mail fraud which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $1,000,000. If the buyer commits fraud, the same penalties apply.

Unfortunately, they may go to jail, if the USPS can find them, but you'll still be out the money. IME, the courts are not collection agencies. If you do get your money returned, it will be years away since it's evidence in a crime investigation.

 

[Dusty89]

I've gotten stuff like,

"I would like to buy your bass, but I have sexually harassed many times on craigslist. I would like to meet you, but am afraid you might do the same. How can I trust you?"

And

"I'll pick your amp up next week. Here's how it's going to work, give me your home address and routing number to checking account. I will deposit the money in your account two to three weeks before I pick it up."

You gotta love that kind of stuff .

 

[SurferJoe46]

Yeah - I'll hold the nail and when I nod my head, you hit it.

 

[zachoff]

I don't even do craigslist via email anymore. Call or text only.

 

[ggunn]

We (my wife and I) have only put things on CL a couple of times. It's local only, meet to exchange, cash on the barrelhead. Otherwise no deal.

 

[My name is Mudd]

I've mentioned this before in other CL threads...my method is to meet the other party in the main parking lot of the county courthouse/sheriff's office, which is (conveniently) two blocks from my house. If they balk at that location, then I'm out.

 

[ggunn]

I've mentioned this before in other CL threads...my method is to meet the other party in the main parking lot of the county courthouse/sheriff's office, which is (conveniently) two blocks from my house. If they balk at that location, then I'm out.

Heh. That's good.