does this smell like a rat?

zombine210

zombine210

New Member
i posted a used acer laptop on craigslist for $300. i got a response from some chick that asked to pay via paypal. she said she was offshore but will include extra $100 for shipping via usps, to a friend as a gift :confused:

this doesn't sound like your typical scam where they use western union and some random shipper.

also, it was not a cookie cutter email either. she did asked a bunch of questions about the item itself.

what do you think?
 
zombine210 said:
i posted a used acer laptop on craigslist for $300. i got a response from some chick that asked to pay via paypal. she said she was offshore but will include extra $100 for shipping via usps, to a friend as a gift :confused:

this doesn't sound like your typical scam where they use western union and some random shipper.

also, it was not a cookie cutter email either. she did asked a bunch of questions about the item itself.

what do you think?
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maybe have her call you and talk a bit about the computer make sure that it is really real???
 
conversation would not make me feel better.
Cash direct does to a paypal account.
your right about scams though. as long as you don't sign nothing.
cash transfer.
 
Money Order only!

This definitely sounds like a scam though, I would be very wary of anyone offering $100 extra for "shipping." It sounds like a scam to make it sound like a sweet deal to you.
 
i did talk to my wife since she has sold over 4000 items.
Says and made perfectly clear.
do not send till paypal clears.
when it clear and validated only from the account.

ive mentioned before and will say again.
if ya sell on ebay do not tie your account to the personal saving or checking account.
keep it separate. open a dedicated account only.
 
you guys r right. i just got another email from another chick that looks exactly the same :eek:

lol, i guess it's the new M. O. for these scammers.
 
tremmor said:
ive mentioned before and will say again.
if ya sell on ebay do not tie your account to the personal saving or checking account.
keep it separate. open a dedicated account only.
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Could you explain the reasoning for that to me? :confused:
 
voyagerfan99 said:
Could you explain the reasoning for that to me? :confused:
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Because hackers and scammers can gain control of your account and spend all your money!

Also, I hate money orders unless it's a USPS money order no others. Can't fake a water mark, and if they can somehow, well the post office will still cash it for you LOL.

I'd take the paypal and not ship for a couple days until the money transfered to my bank account and I verify that it did go through.
 
87dtna said:
I'd take the paypal and not ship for a couple days until the money transfered to my bank account and I verify that it did go through.
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according to my research, you don't actually get any money. they send you a fake email saying the transfer is pending and will clear as soon as you provide a tracking number. i'm guessing they're after your stuff and not your money.... :confused:
 
87dtna said:
Because hackers and scammers can gain control of your account and spend all your money!

Also, I hate money orders unless it's a USPS money order no others. Can't fake a water mark, and if they can somehow, well the post office will still cash it for you LOL.

I'd take the paypal and not ship for a couple days until the money transfered to my bank account and I verify that it did go through.
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Even if it's through PayPal and you only pay with PayPal and accept payment with PayPal?
 
It's a scam, they send you way too much money, have you deposit it and cash it, pay for shipping and send them back the extra money. By the time the bank catches up, it is too late and you are out the money.

Paypal is not impervious to this method either as it takes up to 7 full days for paypal to even fully clear the amount.

If you are going to sell off of Craig's list, with no user feed back and no rating system and no ebay like people mediating, then do it for in person cash only.

I sell all my old tech on Craig's list for cash only. I meet them in a neutral spot, and I hand them the goods they hand me the cash. All is good.

I hate dealing with some people on craig's list though. Especially the ones that think they are tech savvy and want to argue value of my stuff I am selling. Look, if you aren't interested then pass up on it, but quit freaking emailing me.
 
tremmor said:
i did talk to my wife since she has sold over 4000 items.
Says and made perfectly clear.
do not send till paypal clears.
when it clear and validated only from the account.

ive mentioned before and will say again.
if ya sell on ebay do not tie your account to the personal saving or checking account.
keep it separate. open a dedicated account only.
Click to expand...

Id take his wifes advice,only use paypal and wait for it to clear....if he/she is a genuine buyer there shouldnt be any problems. :):good:
and if there is problems at least your covered by Paypal.
 
voyagerfan99 said:
Could you explain the reasoning for that to me? :confused:
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i say open a dedicated account and deposit say $100 and play with that. there will not a tie between the savings or checking that has thousands in it if thats the case. the only one that will have access to my account is me and wife. the other is to play. thats what she does. buy and sell.
 
87dtna said:
Because hackers and scammers can gain control of your account and spend all your money!

Also, I hate money orders unless it's a USPS money order no others. Can't fake a water mark, and if they can somehow, well the post office will still cash it for you LOL.

I'd take the paypal and not ship for a couple days until the money transfered to my bank account and I verify that it did go through.
Click to expand...

They can definitely fake a watermark, and if you cash a fraudulent check, you're responsible for the funds regardless of who gave you the check.
 
PohTayToez said:
They can definitely fake a watermark, and if you cash a fraudulent check, you're responsible for the funds regardless of who gave you the check.
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Who can fake a watermark? And how!

From a legal standpoint I don't see how you could possibly be responsible.
 
87dtna said:
Who can fake a watermark? And how!

From a legal standpoint I don't see how you could possibly be responsible.
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I'm have a fake check in front of me right now with a watermark on it. You can buy check paper with watermarks already on it, and watermarks themselves aren't particularly hard to reproduce, it's just paper that has been pressed in a pattern.

As for the legality of it, you think that the Post Office should take the loss because it was you that was scammed, and you that delivered them a fake check? No, sorry. You're accountable, because it is your responsibility to make sure that you're receiving a check from a legitimate source.

For example, lets just say that I give you a fake check for some merchandise, and you go and cash it. When the check turns out to be fake, the institution is going to come to you for the money. You, in turn, would of course be able to take legal action against me as well. However, lets suppose I'm working out of Nigeria under a false identity. Since you can't track me down, and the government doesn't have the time or the resources, the buck stops with you.
 
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