Just got a text from the infamous Lina Falzone regarding my furniture being sent by mover to her son as a surprise. Glad I checked here first as I have had a similar incident in the past with Craig's List. The number I was texted from was 312 809-2149.
Sent me a text asking me if I still had craigslist items available for sale. I said they were available. The response texts came back jumbled. "I'am Lina Falzone, I want you to know am buying this as gift for my son,so i want to keep it as a surprise to him on till it delivered. I will not be able to view it but i have a mover who will come for the pickup and also I will be making the payment via PayPal as that is the olnly payment option I can access from I hope you understand.I have some questions for you,Are you the first owner of it?Where do you live?what is the current condition?" First of all my listing said cash payment only, and it listed the current condition and why would she care if I was the first owner of a table and hutch which you could see the condition was great from the pictures? Phishing! I told "her" I just raised the by $500 and its cash. Response "Oh sorry can only do PayPal and the item will be move once payment is made and clear. Thanks
The exact same LINA tonight responded to my add.
Same son surprise story-can't take delivery now-SAME questions-EXACTLY! HOW can I help catch Lina Fazone from TX? Crazy.
Glad I Googled and found all this info.
How does he/she actually scam people?
I am a new Craigslist seller so this is all quite revealing/scary?
Read this - from Craiglist's website - info on how this scam works:
https://www.craigslist.org/about/scams
I've posted just the first paragraph - you'll have to go to the link to read the rest (long, but a lot of good info)!
Avoiding Scams
Deal locally, face-to-face —follow this one rule and avoid 99% of scam attempts.
Do not extend payment to anyone you have not met in person.
Beware offers involving shipping - deal with locals you can meet in person.
Never wire funds (e.g. Western Union) - anyone who asks you to is a scammer.
Don't accept cashier/certified checks or money orders - banks cash fakes, then hold you responsible.
Transactions are between users only, no third party provides a "guarantee".
Never give out financial info (bank account, social security, paypal account, etc).
Do not rent or purchase sight-unseen—that amazing "deal" may not exist.
Refuse background/credit checks until you have met landlord/employer in person.