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Author Topic:   Scam on Craig's List

Sebash4 posted 08-03-2011 11:34 AM ET (US)
This may be an old trick these guy's are using but it's a new one to me.
I recently sold a boat on Craig's list to a guy from somewhere around the Tampa FL area. The guy had a strange accent and that should have been my first clue.
Here is the way it works. The guy sent me a cashier's check for $100.00 to hold the boat for him for 5 days so he could get off work and drive up to Georgia to pick up the boat. I was leary of the Cashier's check but I took it to the bank and explained to my local banker the transaction and the deal I had with this guy. He checked with the bank that issued the check and the check was good.
I told the buyer that I would only accept cash when he picked the boat up but when the person came to pick it up he had a cashier's check from the same bank as the $100.00 check was on and claimed to be picking it up for the buyer. I would not let him have the boat and he became very angry claiming that the check was good just like the first check that was sent to me. He came to pick the boat up very late on Friday afternoon after the bank was closed so I could not verify the check being good. I had to ask him to leave my property and he could come back Monday after I had my banker verify that the check was good. I am now getting angry emails from the buyer wanting his $100.00 back claiming I backed out of the deal.I guess these guy's are willing to risk losing a $100.00 in the hope that the seller will accept a bad cashier's check for the balance.
Be careful guy's, they are everywhere and will try anything.
lizard posted 08-03-2011 12:18 PM ET (US)
I don't know what you have in documentation (perhaps email) between the buyer and you. If you spelled out that cash was required, he breached the agreement by showing up with another check. Is there an email agreement? Did you cash the $100 check? Was it spelled out in email that this was a deposit to secure the right to purchase the boat?
If he decides to pursue it through small claims court, you may have to return the $100. I think that he will disappear. You might respond, via email, that you are notifying the city attorney's office of a potential scam and are providing his contact info for their follow-up.
kwik_wurk posted 08-03-2011 01:41 PM ET (US)
It could be a scam, sounds like one. But either way you need to refund the $100, unless you have a written, signed, dated agreement that the deposit was none-refundable.
If it is a real deal, you both made some mistakes. As a seller you did do the correct thing by stating payment method and such. But you should have a bill of sale, or memorandum of understanding for intent to sell when you got the deposit.
I do my buying, selling and signing of titles all at the bank itself. (They always have small coffee table like areas and such to sit down at and handle paperwork or whatever.)
Nothing clears out the idiots than saying, "great, we'll do this transaction at the bank". I tell the buyer to bring their payment method to the bank, as I will have it verified and deposited on the spot. Titles get signed as soon the bank verifies funds (aka gets an approval number for the check or transaction). Verifying funds is different than just depositing a check.
I just did this last Saturday. Worked like a charm.
skinnywater posted 08-03-2011 01:43 PM ET (US)

quote:
The guy had a strange accent and that should have been my first clue.
In this day and age just what the heck are you insinuating - hell people from Georgia have a strange accent depending on where you are from and I have a hard time understanding some folks in the pan handle of Friggin Lower Alabama (Fla.)
Good looking out for yourself though and good warning on possible scams such as this - if the first check cashed I may have gullibly accepted the second one myself.
Jeff posted 08-03-2011 01:59 PM ET (US)
Deposits are one thing. I will take them in many forms and ALWAYS make them non-refundable. I typically like paypal deposits myself as you can clearly state the terms of the deposit in the invoice.
Payment in full opens up all kinds of scams. I typically only except cash or direct wire transfer and will not release the item until the funds have been verified by a bank. Check and cashiers check funding can be verified by a bank at the time of deposit but, that does not mean those funds will be there once that check clears all of the systems. That can some times be 5 - 10 business days later. Some have been burned by that scam.
The one boat I sold with a personal check I made the buyer wait 10 business days from the time of deposit until I released the boat. He understood and was fine with that...after meeting him I truly had nothing to worry about but, if you do not look out for yourself no one else will.
Interesting scenario of events and I have to say I would have done the exact same thing.
Tohsgib posted 08-03-2011 03:10 PM ET (US)
Keep the $100. That deposit held the boat for 5 days. He is more than welcome to come with CASH to pick up the boat, if he says no...no $100.
leadsled posted 08-03-2011 03:14 PM ET (US)
The other day I recieved an email about a boat I listed for a friend. It stated that he was satisfied with the condition of the "item" and was going to send a deposit and then sent an agent to pick up the item. I emailed him that the person that buys this boat will come and look at it and pay cash at the bank you blankity blank. The funny thing about this "form" letter is he could have sent the same letter to someone selling anything as it stated nothing about a boat. He or she could send out a thousand emails worded the same for any item and maybee fool a few. Talk about trolling for a big one. I sold a boat last year and told the man to follow me to the bank and we would have the bank verify his cash and I would sign the title over there and I would hitch the boat up to his car there and he would be on his way. He had no problem with that. Be carefull.
kwik_wurk posted 08-03-2011 03:40 PM ET (US)
Getting an approval number on a check is much different that depositing a check.
Manually taking the check to a bank representative (not a teller) is what needs to be done in order to verify the funds are available at that exact moment (aka approval number). Hence when you deposit the check moments later, the amount is available for immediate deposit/transfer into your account.
Sometimes the bank rep has to make a few calls to outside banks, but hey, this is an indirect service the bank provides.
A regular deposit does the approval in an automated electronic scanning fashion, hence the check can take a few days to clear.
flippa posted 08-03-2011 05:39 PM ET (US)
Hey leadsled
This guy is trying to scam you!!!
I get this same pitch when I sell cars or anything of value on Craigslist. Whenever they are satisfied with the condition of the "item", cannot see the item in person, will have a "pick-up agent" involved or are vauge in their email about what it is they are trying to buy, I email them back & mess with them a little to see if they are for real.
I recently posted this in the Marketplace when I was selling my Outrage 21. Note that the buyer continued with the scripted responces; he had no clue what I was writing.
On Jul 18, 2011 6:21 PM, philip nosa <philipnosa@gmail.com> wrote: Hello Is it still up for sale????Thanks
flippa1968@yahoo.com - Yes
philip nosa <philipnosa@gmail.com> wrote: Sound great,I accept your price but i would love to know it's present
condition and the reason why you wanted to sell it then i need to see more pics since i will not be coming to view it in person and i will arrange for the pick up agent to come for the pick up from your side as soon as the payment clears,so kindly get back to me with your paypal email address and full name with the total cost.So i can
proceed with the payment as soon as possible. Thanks and hope to hear back from you soon
flippa1968@yahoo.com - It is in really good shape except for the gigantic hole in the front of the boat. A large ship pulled up along side me last year and let out it's anchor which ripped thru the hull. It was just like in the movie Caddy Shack. Did you see Caddy Shack? God what a great movie. That Ted Knight was quite an actor; How about a Fresca, hmmmm. And don't even get me going abour that little gopher; what a scamp. Oh, there was also a little fire, but it didn't destroy that much. My crack-head girlfriend dropped a torch while cooking up a batch of drugs. Do you like drugs? We were really high but still managed to put out the fire. So except for the massive hole and the burnty parts, it is in excellent condition. I do not want money because I already have enough of that. I like kittens; soft fluffy kittens. Could I get paid in kittens please? Anxiously awaiting your responce.
philip nosa <philipnosa@gmail.com> wrote: Sound good,i will arrange for the pick up agent to come for the pick up from your side as soon as the payment clears,.so kindly get back to me with your paypal email address and full name with the total cost.So i can proceed with the payment as soon as possible. Thanks and hope to hear back from you soon
flippa1968@yahoo.com - Hi Philip, can you send payment in kittens thru paypal? I want nice soft fluffy ones.
philip nosa <philipnosa@gmail.com> wrote: kiss my [posterior] cos am not hear for joke please
flippa1968@yahoo.com - Hi Philip, I understand that you do not like joke thank you. Do you like kittens? Anxiously awaiting your responce.
contender posted 08-03-2011 05:46 PM ET (US)
I'm 100% with Tohsgib, If he wants the boat he should come with the cash, and $100 (I'm sure that $100 was a lot less than 10%) for holding the boat for 5 days is nothing, Think of it this way how many other people wanted the boat but you had to tell them it was sold....If he brings cash I would have a money pen to check the bills...I would take the $100 and my wife out to dinner and tell him to pound sand...
Sebash4 posted 08-03-2011 05:50 PM ET (US)
Hey Skinnewater, sorry if you feel insulted !! My experience with these scamers has been that most of them are East Indian discent at that the accent this guy had.
I can always understand a Tarheel :-)
Sebash4 posted 08-03-2011 05:52 PM ET (US)
Note to myself. check grammar before posting. Sorry about that Jim H.
flippa posted 08-03-2011 05:57 PM ET (US)
The guy who ended up buying my Outrage showed up with CASH for the deposit and balance as I requested.
If you requested cash, and they can't follow your directions, I would keep the deposit until he shows up with the balance.
Newtauk1 posted 08-03-2011 06:02 PM ET (US)
ALL of the scammers I deal with DO have funny accents and write or use broken English. I do not reply to any of them anymore. I guess they have ruined it for legit people with funny accents. It should be a warning sign to sellers on Craigs List.
superdave_gv posted 08-03-2011 06:36 PM ET (US)

Thanks for sharing. I have to admit, for someone that traveled that far, and considering the check was identical to the first one that cleared, I probably would have checked his driver's license and written down the dl# and taken the cashier's check. In anticipation of the deal, I would have googled/zabasearch the individual to ensure a valid address matching the name, etc. I was not aware of in person scams with counterfeit cashier's checks, just the paypay/mail type stuff.
The best idea of those offered is the "meet at a bank" or "cash it at a bank the next morning". Any buyer with any sense would understand that it's worth it to get a hotel and buy it in the morning.
The other craigslist scam I have noticed is fake ads and responses to ads where I am selling something just to get your email address. They are quick robotic and generic. So you have to request people be verbose enough to validate a human is on the other end of the email.
lizard posted 08-03-2011 06:39 PM ET (US)
Yesterday, the news contained 3 separate assaults and thefts committed on the same day, associated with a buy/sell on craigslist here. All three were lured by the individual and then beaten and had the item for sale stolen or the money to purchase an item stolen.
Two of these incidents were committed by african-american males, one by a caucasian male. The absence of an accent should not lure anyone into a false sense of security. In short, you are dealing with strangers, there is no "safe ethnicity" and you need to take appropriate precautions.
Frankly, I have had great luck with craigslist, bought and sold quite a few items without incident. I always meet in a public place. A friend/family member is given the email info and contact information for the individual I am meeting, as well as where we are meeting. It is a shame to have to do things this way.
I only accept cash and for larger sales, such as a Whaler or a RIB, I provide a detailed bill of sale including the conditions of the sale and both parties sign it.
modenacart posted 08-03-2011 07:42 PM ET (US)
I sold my boat and we did the transaction via wire transfer. I open a new account for the transfer, then closed it right after the transfer went through. It worked great for me.
Buckda posted 08-03-2011 08:39 PM ET (US)
Michigan, and some other states, have open carry laws. I'd just show up to the transaction with a pistol in my holster.
:)
Swellmonster posted 08-03-2011 09:31 PM ET (US)
I am selling a kayak on craigs and the person said he will pay with a cashiers check and will wait to take possesion after the check clears.
I said just show me the cash and its yours..
Weird out there.
rgy posted 08-04-2011 09:38 AM ET (US)
+1 Buckda!
southshore fisherman posted 08-04-2011 09:49 AM ET (US)
Wire transfers are the only way to go.
The seller gets the money in his account and knows it's there.
Cashier's checks can be cancelled. Cash can be bogus. As a buyer I would not want to have a large sum of cash on me while meeting with a stranger.
I just traveled to Kansas to buy a whaler and did a wire transfer. It cost me $30 but I wasn't carrying that much cash with me. The buyer had his funds and I drove away with my boat.
All is good.

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Author	Topic: Scam on Craig's List
Sebash4	posted 08-03-2011 11:34 AM ET (US) This may be an old trick these guy's are using but it's a new one to me. I recently sold a boat on Craig's list to a guy from somewhere around the Tampa FL area. The guy had a strange accent and that should have been my first clue. Here is the way it works. The guy sent me a cashier's check for $100.00 to hold the boat for him for 5 days so he could get off work and drive up to Georgia to pick up the boat. I was leary of the Cashier's check but I took it to the bank and explained to my local banker the transaction and the deal I had with this guy. He checked with the bank that issued the check and the check was good. I told the buyer that I would only accept cash when he picked the boat up but when the person came to pick it up he had a cashier's check from the same bank as the $100.00 check was on and claimed to be picking it up for the buyer. I would not let him have the boat and he became very angry claiming that the check was good just like the first check that was sent to me. He came to pick the boat up very late on Friday afternoon after the bank was closed so I could not verify the check being good. I had to ask him to leave my property and he could come back Monday after I had my banker verify that the check was good. I am now getting angry emails from the buyer wanting his $100.00 back claiming I backed out of the deal.I guess these guy's are willing to risk losing a $100.00 in the hope that the seller will accept a bad cashier's check for the balance. Be careful guy's, they are everywhere and will try anything.
lizard	posted 08-03-2011 12:18 PM ET (US) I don't know what you have in documentation (perhaps email) between the buyer and you. If you spelled out that cash was required, he breached the agreement by showing up with another check. Is there an email agreement? Did you cash the $100 check? Was it spelled out in email that this was a deposit to secure the right to purchase the boat? If he decides to pursue it through small claims court, you may have to return the $100. I think that he will disappear. You might respond, via email, that you are notifying the city attorney's office of a potential scam and are providing his contact info for their follow-up.
kwik_wurk	posted 08-03-2011 01:41 PM ET (US) It could be a scam, sounds like one. But either way you need to refund the $100, unless you have a written, signed, dated agreement that the deposit was none-refundable. If it is a real deal, you both made some mistakes. As a seller you did do the correct thing by stating payment method and such. But you should have a bill of sale, or memorandum of understanding for intent to sell when you got the deposit. I do my buying, selling and signing of titles all at the bank itself. (They always have small coffee table like areas and such to sit down at and handle paperwork or whatever.) Nothing clears out the idiots than saying, "great, we'll do this transaction at the bank". I tell the buyer to bring their payment method to the bank, as I will have it verified and deposited on the spot. Titles get signed as soon the bank verifies funds (aka gets an approval number for the check or transaction). Verifying funds is different than just depositing a check. I just did this last Saturday. Worked like a charm.
skinnywater	posted 08-03-2011 01:43 PM ET (US) quote: The guy had a strange accent and that should have been my first clue. In this day and age just what the heck are you insinuating - hell people from Georgia have a strange accent depending on where you are from and I have a hard time understanding some folks in the pan handle of Friggin Lower Alabama (Fla.) Good looking out for yourself though and good warning on possible scams such as this - if the first check cashed I may have gullibly accepted the second one myself.
Jeff	posted 08-03-2011 01:59 PM ET (US) Deposits are one thing. I will take them in many forms and ALWAYS make them non-refundable. I typically like paypal deposits myself as you can clearly state the terms of the deposit in the invoice. Payment in full opens up all kinds of scams. I typically only except cash or direct wire transfer and will not release the item until the funds have been verified by a bank. Check and cashiers check funding can be verified by a bank at the time of deposit but, that does not mean those funds will be there once that check clears all of the systems. That can some times be 5 - 10 business days later. Some have been burned by that scam. The one boat I sold with a personal check I made the buyer wait 10 business days from the time of deposit until I released the boat. He understood and was fine with that...after meeting him I truly had nothing to worry about but, if you do not look out for yourself no one else will. Interesting scenario of events and I have to say I would have done the exact same thing.
Tohsgib	posted 08-03-2011 03:10 PM ET (US) Keep the $100. That deposit held the boat for 5 days. He is more than welcome to come with CASH to pick up the boat, if he says no...no $100.
leadsled	posted 08-03-2011 03:14 PM ET (US) The other day I recieved an email about a boat I listed for a friend. It stated that he was satisfied with the condition of the "item" and was going to send a deposit and then sent an agent to pick up the item. I emailed him that the person that buys this boat will come and look at it and pay cash at the bank you blankity blank. The funny thing about this "form" letter is he could have sent the same letter to someone selling anything as it stated nothing about a boat. He or she could send out a thousand emails worded the same for any item and maybee fool a few. Talk about trolling for a big one. I sold a boat last year and told the man to follow me to the bank and we would have the bank verify his cash and I would sign the title over there and I would hitch the boat up to his car there and he would be on his way. He had no problem with that. Be carefull.
kwik_wurk	posted 08-03-2011 03:40 PM ET (US) Getting an approval number on a check is much different that depositing a check. Manually taking the check to a bank representative (not a teller) is what needs to be done in order to verify the funds are available at that exact moment (aka approval number). Hence when you deposit the check moments later, the amount is available for immediate deposit/transfer into your account. Sometimes the bank rep has to make a few calls to outside banks, but hey, this is an indirect service the bank provides. A regular deposit does the approval in an automated electronic scanning fashion, hence the check can take a few days to clear.
flippa	posted 08-03-2011 05:39 PM ET (US) Hey leadsled This guy is trying to scam you!!! I get this same pitch when I sell cars or anything of value on Craigslist. Whenever they are satisfied with the condition of the "item", cannot see the item in person, will have a "pick-up agent" involved or are vauge in their email about what it is they are trying to buy, I email them back & mess with them a little to see if they are for real. I recently posted this in the Marketplace when I was selling my Outrage 21. Note that the buyer continued with the scripted responces; he had no clue what I was writing. On Jul 18, 2011 6:21 PM, philip nosa <philipnosa@gmail.com> wrote: Hello Is it still up for sale????Thanks flippa1968@yahoo.com - Yes philip nosa <philipnosa@gmail.com> wrote: Sound great,I accept your price but i would love to know it's present condition and the reason why you wanted to sell it then i need to see more pics since i will not be coming to view it in person and i will arrange for the pick up agent to come for the pick up from your side as soon as the payment clears,so kindly get back to me with your paypal email address and full name with the total cost.So i can proceed with the payment as soon as possible. Thanks and hope to hear back from you soon flippa1968@yahoo.com - It is in really good shape except for the gigantic hole in the front of the boat. A large ship pulled up along side me last year and let out it's anchor which ripped thru the hull. It was just like in the movie Caddy Shack. Did you see Caddy Shack? God what a great movie. That Ted Knight was quite an actor; How about a Fresca, hmmmm. And don't even get me going abour that little gopher; what a scamp. Oh, there was also a little fire, but it didn't destroy that much. My crack-head girlfriend dropped a torch while cooking up a batch of drugs. Do you like drugs? We were really high but still managed to put out the fire. So except for the massive hole and the burnty parts, it is in excellent condition. I do not want money because I already have enough of that. I like kittens; soft fluffy kittens. Could I get paid in kittens please? Anxiously awaiting your responce. philip nosa <philipnosa@gmail.com> wrote: Sound good,i will arrange for the pick up agent to come for the pick up from your side as soon as the payment clears,.so kindly get back to me with your paypal email address and full name with the total cost.So i can proceed with the payment as soon as possible. Thanks and hope to hear back from you soon flippa1968@yahoo.com - Hi Philip, can you send payment in kittens thru paypal? I want nice soft fluffy ones. philip nosa <philipnosa@gmail.com> wrote: kiss my [posterior] cos am not hear for joke please flippa1968@yahoo.com - Hi Philip, I understand that you do not like joke thank you. Do you like kittens? Anxiously awaiting your responce.
contender	posted 08-03-2011 05:46 PM ET (US) I'm 100% with Tohsgib, If he wants the boat he should come with the cash, and $100 (I'm sure that $100 was a lot less than 10%) for holding the boat for 5 days is nothing, Think of it this way how many other people wanted the boat but you had to tell them it was sold....If he brings cash I would have a money pen to check the bills...I would take the $100 and my wife out to dinner and tell him to pound sand...
Sebash4	posted 08-03-2011 05:50 PM ET (US) Hey Skinnewater, sorry if you feel insulted !! My experience with these scamers has been that most of them are East Indian discent at that the accent this guy had. I can always understand a Tarheel :-)
Sebash4	posted 08-03-2011 05:52 PM ET (US) Note to myself. check grammar before posting. Sorry about that Jim H.
flippa	posted 08-03-2011 05:57 PM ET (US) The guy who ended up buying my Outrage showed up with CASH for the deposit and balance as I requested. If you requested cash, and they can't follow your directions, I would keep the deposit until he shows up with the balance.
Newtauk1	posted 08-03-2011 06:02 PM ET (US) ALL of the scammers I deal with DO have funny accents and write or use broken English. I do not reply to any of them anymore. I guess they have ruined it for legit people with funny accents. It should be a warning sign to sellers on Craigs List.
superdave_gv	posted 08-03-2011 06:36 PM ET (US) Thanks for sharing. I have to admit, for someone that traveled that far, and considering the check was identical to the first one that cleared, I probably would have checked his driver's license and written down the dl# and taken the cashier's check. In anticipation of the deal, I would have googled/zabasearch the individual to ensure a valid address matching the name, etc. I was not aware of in person scams with counterfeit cashier's checks, just the paypay/mail type stuff. The best idea of those offered is the "meet at a bank" or "cash it at a bank the next morning". Any buyer with any sense would understand that it's worth it to get a hotel and buy it in the morning. The other craigslist scam I have noticed is fake ads and responses to ads where I am selling something just to get your email address. They are quick robotic and generic. So you have to request people be verbose enough to validate a human is on the other end of the email.
lizard	posted 08-03-2011 06:39 PM ET (US) Yesterday, the news contained 3 separate assaults and thefts committed on the same day, associated with a buy/sell on craigslist here. All three were lured by the individual and then beaten and had the item for sale stolen or the money to purchase an item stolen. Two of these incidents were committed by african-american males, one by a caucasian male. The absence of an accent should not lure anyone into a false sense of security. In short, you are dealing with strangers, there is no "safe ethnicity" and you need to take appropriate precautions. Frankly, I have had great luck with craigslist, bought and sold quite a few items without incident. I always meet in a public place. A friend/family member is given the email info and contact information for the individual I am meeting, as well as where we are meeting. It is a shame to have to do things this way. I only accept cash and for larger sales, such as a Whaler or a RIB, I provide a detailed bill of sale including the conditions of the sale and both parties sign it.
modenacart	posted 08-03-2011 07:42 PM ET (US) I sold my boat and we did the transaction via wire transfer. I open a new account for the transfer, then closed it right after the transfer went through. It worked great for me.
Buckda	posted 08-03-2011 08:39 PM ET (US) Michigan, and some other states, have open carry laws. I'd just show up to the transaction with a pistol in my holster. :)
Swellmonster	posted 08-03-2011 09:31 PM ET (US) I am selling a kayak on craigs and the person said he will pay with a cashiers check and will wait to take possesion after the check clears. I said just show me the cash and its yours.. Weird out there.
rgy	posted 08-04-2011 09:38 AM ET (US) +1 Buckda!
southshore fisherman	posted 08-04-2011 09:49 AM ET (US) Wire transfers are the only way to go. The seller gets the money in his account and knows it's there. Cashier's checks can be cancelled. Cash can be bogus. As a buyer I would not want to have a large sum of cash on me while meeting with a stranger. I just traveled to Kansas to buy a whaler and did a wire transfer. It cost me $30 but I wasn't carrying that much cash with me. The buyer had his funds and I drove away with my boat. All is good.