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Craigs List Scam.....BEWARE!!!!!!!!

My client put her home for lease on Craigs List and has rcv'd tons...no, not KG or pounds, buts tons of SCAM emails and calls. I put my TREO on there as well and had the same problem with a similiar outcome.

It starts out with someone from the UK or other country saying that they want to rent or purchase goods right away (without seeing the product or home)

My clients house is 1995/mth in Temecula CA on the golfcourse but here is how the SCAM goes....

They don't fill out the documents, they say they are sending over their financier with a cashiers check for $25,132.25 and if you "the unsuspecting shmuck" would please pay the difference to the courier for the delivery of all their furniture (in this example anyway)

My client didn't get back to him because she knew it was bogus. Low and behold, the next day is an email with a UPS# saying that the financier couldn't come but that he sent over the check and to just give the difference to the courier when he arrives the next day afte UPS.

Saying that she "freaked out" was an understatement. I checked the UPS website and also called and there was, if fact, a letter package be delivered that day to my client.

It delivered, my client refused and we reported this guy to the authorities. Take the time to read Craigslist disclosures on scams and such. It specifically says to not accept any paymentfrom "out of your area" especially out of country and without proper documentation confirming all data.

Posted by Lisa Forss on 01/14/2007 03:29 PM

Comments (17)

craig list, scams, financier, checks from overseas

17 Comments on Craigs List Scam.....BEWARE!!!!!!!!

JAN

2007

Thanks for the heads up. These scammers are unbelievable. They never stop do they?

Thanks Jay

It sure sounds like the old Nigerian scam.

I hear you. We had some professional grifters come into our town.

Thanks, Lisa. I haven't had a problem myself but it's just like when you post on eBay - you are blasted with a zillion people who want to buy your product, etc. etc. I've never heard of anyone actually getting a letter or package...WOW. It's a shame because I have had great success with CRAIGSLIST (not in real estate but in selling stuff). Not ready to give up, however, but you clearly have to watch out.

Lisa,

Thanks for the post. I have personally had three emails this past week, seeking my participation in some monetary scam. Unfortunately, no real way to block them!

Thanks for the heads up, seems like there are scams all over, you really have to watch out

I am amazed that a letter was actually sent via UPS. That has gone further than anything I have heard of before. Good thing your seller knew it was a scam. I have had great success with craigslist. From renting a house I own, to selling things, to buying things. I wish there could be a site just for scammers so they would leave the nonscamming population alone. Oh well. I suppose only in dream land.

You know what is amazing....I will not stop using Craigslist because I have had some success, actually "commission type" success on sales! The nonsense is just part of it, much like people that are time wasters, but its my job to weed them out so it just gets done and clients get taken care of.

Just be careful on who you respond to. I've been told a couple times that people were sending money and wanted the difference in a local check but I never actually ever rcv'd a check either so that was shocker. My client responded by sending them an application and credit screening form which maybe gave them hope I guess. Granted, we didn't open the package that was rcv'd because we didn't want to muddy the waters but I certainly wanted to see if there really was a check, rubbery or not, in there. I had to remind myself..... "Curiosity killed the cat if I'm not mistaken" ;P

JAN

2007

Craigslist has been a fantastic resource for me. I just closed an escrow for a buyer who called from one of my ad's and he is not the first.

Phylena, I must have missed the NY scandal, what happened?

I get all of these ridiculous emails also, I just ignore and delete, they are easily recognizable as scams. I am the nephew of the Late Big Cheese here in country you never heard of, la la la ......

Laurie, Exactly, they're pretty recognizable, especially when they are offering 25-50,000 over what you are asking.

Phylena, I hadn't heard of the NY scam either, can you elaborate?

Thanks

JAN

2007

I totally agree about Craig's List: Too much scamming to even be worth your while tyring to sell something. The UK request came first, then another.... When listing state "LOCAL and CASH." It really helped.

JAN

2007

Kathy, Great Advice, Thank you . The actual disclosure on Craigs List even says to only do business with local people and my client didn't read that until after she listed it; so putting "local and cash" or if a home "local and by California contract/law only" might persuade those unlawful stinkers to go elsewhere. Thank you for that tidbit!

APR

2007

I recieved the same scam from Yahoo real estate. I haven't had an issue with craig's list. I told them to send the check to the title company and it will be held until the time of closing. I never heard back from them.

SEP

2007

It is amazing what people will do to rip people off. Craig's List does have alot of disclaimers, but people do not read them.

SEP

2008

VERY UNFORTUNATE. THE NEWEST SCAM IS BUYING AGENTS RIPPING OFF LISTING AGENTS BY POSTING PROPERTIES THAT THEY DO NOT REPRESENT IN HOPES OF LANDING THE BUYER. THIS IS UNETHICAL AND ITS SAD WHAT AGENTS ARE RESULTING TO FOR BUSINESS.

OCT

2008

I have a new one I am not real sure of. Has anyone had an experience like this? I am a freelance photographer that moved to a new state. I began to use Craigslist as an outlet for word of mouth. So I placed an advertisement for wedding photography and a real low price to build business. I have had good experience with this and still do. Then I received a very poorly written email response from a gentleman wanting his wedding photographed. I had the date open and responded with a yes. We went back and forth with meeting dates to view the church, sign agreement and pay deposit. Then I don't hear from him for two weeks, thinking he has changed his mind I move on. Then out of the blue I hear from him again with a new date and more details of location, time etc. I again try to set up a meeting without resolve. Then I get another email that the date has been changed again due to a family medical emergency, but wanted to secure the date with a cashiers cheque (for of course more than my quote) and would send it to me. I have never received a check of any kind. At this point I am thinking this is not going to work. To make a long 4 month story short, I contacted the church and they had no one of that name or those dates booked ever. Then I was told the address was their business address not the actual church address. So I set him up saying I needed special permission for some of my pics and needed a contact name to set up a meeting with the church authorities. He responded saying he had faxed them an agreement contract and I have permission to do whatever as long as the church was clean. Then said he would be out of town. I have decided not to respond anymore but he still emails me with new dates and promises of payments. I am aware of all the traditional hoax out there, I am just confused at this one. What is the point? Now I am getting another one that writes in the same manner but no specifics and leaves a phone number. I have not called but don't know if I want to anymore. It's just strange. Has anyone else had this type of experience?

JUN

I had someone use my listing to try to get $1,000 wired to them - keys would come later! A nice lady called me who had seen my animoto.com video on youtube to let me know someone was using my listing info to scam people.

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