Here is how to spot a phony RV ad:
- There are a lot of random spaces, punctuation, characters, or symbols in the subject headline, often between words and letters (example: "%**%**%(((2002))=|"|"| Fleetwood Bounder Need to see it to_+_+:|":|":%"). Or there is alternating capitals and lowercase ("NU3NY LarGerVSLiDe2009 jaYCO slEEPer eAgLE 308Rls CLeARrvtItLe"). This is done to evade craigslist's spam filters, as they post in several cities at once.
- It has an out-of-area or out-of-state phone number.
- There is a phone number or email address on the photo of the RV, and it's not the number of an established RV dealer.
- They want you to only contact them by text, or email. (Especially if it is a free email like Gmail or Hotmail/Outlook)
- The price is too low or unrealistic (for instance, $2000 for an RV or camper less than 15 years old).
When they reply:
- They want you to use eBay, Paypal, Amazon or iTunes. Or they will send a link to a fake Paypal or eBay page.
- They will claim that a nonexistent "shipper" will drive the nonexistent RV to you.
Flag the fake ads, by clicking "prohibited" at the top of the CL ad (next to the "reply" button). It takes more than one flag to remove an ad.
And, most importantly, NEVER pay for an RV (or camper, car, truck, motorcycle) you can't see and inspect in person!