I posted an ad in craigslist yesterday to sell my SUV. I have received text messages from three different out of area phone numbers (971 270-0553), (202 627-0259), (406 534-9260). I think they are scams. can you give me any additional information and how to deal with them?
They may or may not be scams, but here are the two common types of scams on Craigslist:
Here is how the "PayPal Scam" works:
Says they will buy the item and will pay extra to cover charges by his shipping agent.
Says he will PayPal the funds and instruct you to send the extra money via wire transfer or pre-paid card to the agent.
He then sends you a fake PayPal deposit notice email, spoofing the official PayPal notice, that says the money has been put into your account.
You, thinking PayPal has your money, go ahead with the wire/prepaid transfer to the shipping agent, who is really the scammer.
After that, you then find out there was no money transferred to PayPal and are out the money your wired.
Here is how a "Craigslist Scam" or any other "I will send you a check for more than you asked" scam works:
He pays for the item + extra funds to cover his shipping agent costs with a bank draft or cashiers check.
He sends you a check, tells you to cash it and send the extra money to his shipping agent via wire transfer or prepaid card.
You cash/deposit check and wire/prepaid the funds to the agent.
Later, the check bounces as it was counterfeit. The money you sent to the agent, who is really the scammer, is unrecoverable due to it being wire transferred/prepaid card.
You are out money and now run the risk of being arrested for passing a counterfeit check.
See:
http://www.fraudaid.com/
http://www.fraudaid.com/solution_center/solution/draftsoption1/2a.htm
I have a craigslist ad for a vehicle I am trying to sell and the same number is texting me. He says his name is Frank and I have attempted to phone him to speak to him personally, he doesn't answer but immediately texts back saying due to the nature of his job he can not make phone calls. I'm pretty sure this is a scam. Have you heard anything else from him?