Craigslist Scam

[MBP13]

I answered an ad on Craigslist for a free MacBook in a town over from me. I finally received a reply from the poster, but the reply says this:

"Hi,

I never thought I would get this many emails for one item, but you emailed me first, so we diceided to give it to you. Just go to: http://cl-verified.org validate your number through the site and I'll contact you and give you directions to our place, so we can decide what time you want to come get it.

Thanks,

Lauren"

Is it safe to say that this is probably a scam? I really wanted this, but if it's a scam, it's not worth risking my identity.

Thanks for the help.

 

[renewed]

I answered an ad on Craigslist for a free MacBook in a town over from me. I finally received a reply from the poster, but the reply says this:



Is it safe to say that this is probably a scam? I really wanted this, but if it's a scam, it's not worth risking my identity.

Thanks for the help.

Look at what I bolded. That should answer it all.

 

[MBP13]

Yeah, it sounded to good to be true, but in the CL ad, it states that the MacBook is "broken".

http://houma.craigslist.org/zip/2527154009.html

 

[blueroom]

Depending on the neighborhood they might be looking for a Gimp.

 

[R94N]

You don't get nothing for free these days! *shakes fist*

Seriously though, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't. This is such a case.

 

[MBP13]

I wrote back to the CL ad person and told them I'm not interested in being scammed.

Darn it! I so wanted a free MacBook.

 

[AustinZ]

Forgive me for my ignorance, but if the product is free and going to be picked up why would the seller need the buyer's credit card information at all?

 

[R94N]

Darn it! I so wanted a free MacBook.

Who doesn't?

 

[einmusiker]

I don't have anything nice to say, so I won't say anything at all *slaps forehead so hard the room shakes*

 

[MBP13]

Forgive me for my ignorance, but if the product is free and going to be picked up why would the seller need the buyer's credit card information at all?

I didn't know they wanted that because I didn't bother seeking out the deal once I saw that fake CL page.

 

[killerrobot]

Do everyone a favor on CL and report the email as spam/fraud and the add as spam/fraud.

 

[MBP13]

How do I go about doing that?

 

[renewed]

How do I go about doing that?

Upper right corner. Spam/Overpost.

 

[killerrobot]

How do I go about doing that?

Also if the email is sent through the craigslist server there should be a link at the bottom of the email to report it.

 

[iJohnHenry]

Forgive me for my ignorance, but if the product is free and going to be picked up why would the seller need the buyer's credit card information at all?

He just needs to know where he lives, so he can break-in while the pooch is on his road-trip. He may even live in the same town, to give him more time to case the joint.

 

[Ryy]

Depending on the neighborhood they might be looking for a Gimp.

Best reply of all time!

 

[Looon]

Here's a good rule to go by not just on craigslist but in all life: if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

 

[JetBlack7]

I'll tell you an old saying from my country: "Quando a esmola é muita, até o pobre desconfia."

Translated is something like this: "When the tip(money given to a homeless person) is too much, even the homeless person suspects something."

It's exactly what I think you should think.