Scammers Responding To Classified Ads

[jlarrabee]

I just want to inform the general public of fact that I have received a few emails from scammers trying to purchase my canoe I have posted on here.

Please be aware of the warning signs for scammers.
1. Vagueness in the email. (Asking if the Item is Still Available)
2. A excuse to not seeing the item in person (illness, honeymoon, out of country... all examples I've seen).
3. Requesting to pay with check and paying extra for your troubles.
4. Having an agent arrive to pick up the item.
5. Phone Number to text only.

Please look out for the signs. The scammers are getting sneaky and I am only making this post because I have had two scammers from the posting on this page with in the past few weeks. Just want to look out for the people who may not notice the scammers as easily as myself.

Please see the attached photos from the emails I received from the scammer.

Please Be Careful!

 

[Dan Lindberg]

Yes, I've received those from time to time also. I just delete them.

 

[crosscuts]

Once selling a canoe the scammer asked how many hours were on the motor. I should have sent him my age.

R.C.

 

[Dan Miller]

Long-time issue. See here: http://forums.wcha.org/index.php?threads/on-scammers-and-spammers.1678/

 

[BReeves]

We had two of them this month including one who sent a cheque for $4000 more than the asking price. The good news is we went to have the cheque verified before doing anything and discovered it was fraudulent.

 

[Michael Grace]

Overpayment scams are extremely common around the world, and have been for years. They target people advertising wherever they advertise, and the scammers must have some degree of success or they wouldn't still be doing it. Consumer protection groups and government agencies actively attempt to warn people. Whether here in the WCHA or anywhere else that you buy and sell items, always be vigilant for the possibility of being scammed. Here are three helpful websites from the US, Canadian and Australian governments) related to overpayment scams:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/pre...warns-consumers-about-check-overpayment-scams

http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/fraud-escroquerie/types/over-surplus/index-eng.htm

https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/buying-or-selling/overpayment-scams

 

[John J. Connell]

Caution is the word here and on all other sites, such as Craigslist and WantAd Digest,etc. I often think someone alone in hi/her room and life does these scams just for entertainment to be a pain in someone's neck -or there abouts!