Example of a typical Craigslist Scam

[daze]

Trying to help, how? By wasting bandwidth? First of all this is Macrumors Forum not Craigslist Forum. You can go to Craigslist and easily find out the info about scam's. It's usually front and center.

I had to log in to post a comment here to macrumorsMaster. Get a life! The OP has the full right to share information that was clearly in good faith. You should troll elsewhere if you think you are smarter than everyone else out there. The original post, if nothing else, is at least a good reminder to be careful on sites like Craig's List. But to shun anyone like that for wasting bandwidth is just silly.

Anyway, I'll go back to lurking mode now and welcome to the forums, kbjeff!

 

[Creative One]

Although I believe this informs the public of the growing scams on the internet. I think it is redundant to continue to post topics such as these.

 

[Blaine]

I had to log in to post a comment here to macrumorsMaster. Get a life! The OP has the full right to share information that was clearly in good faith. You should troll elsewhere if you think you are smarter than everyone else out there. The original post, if nothing else, is at least a good reminder to be careful on sites like Craig's List. But to shun anyone like that for wasting bandwidth is just silly.

Anyway, I'll go back to lurking mode now and welcome to the forums, kbjeff!

Agreed. MacrumorsMaster, thanks for your useless addition to the thread.


Many people fall victim to these types of scams. Thanks OP for posting

 

[Habitus]

A) Too good to be true
B) Seller emails back to say "I'm currently out of the country"
C) Seller wants to use escrow company

The listing:
http://hartford.craigslist.org/sys/1447202732.htm

Here's the email back from the seller (jp3inbox@gmail.com). From what I'm seeing, almost all the scammers doing this use almost the same verbiage:

**************
Hi
The item is brand new in box with all accessories.
I am now outside USA so i can only ship the item to you.The shipping is free and i will also ship with insurance
So we can be both protected i want to use an escrow company if you want to continue with the deal.In this way the transaction is safe.I ship the item ,the shipping company will inform you that the shipping was made and will instruct you how to make the payment.The payment will be sent to the shipping company not to me and will be release to me only after you will get the item and inspect it.You have 3 days to inspect it and only after if you decide to keep my item you will give your approve so i can get the money from the shipping company
I think this is the best way
I have 5 available.I can offer a disccount if you buy more
If you agree let me know as soon as possible
Have a nice day

Don't purchase it! It's a scam!!

Habitus

 

[macrumorsMaster]

Please don't attack me, I'm a sensitive soul, but by all means reply to the point I'm trying to convey.

All I said was the person didn't even bother to search before posting, if they had they would have seen the numerous warning threads already here. Also, Craigslist's has a link to warnings about scam's on the front page of each city. If you're too lazy to even click on that, BEFORE sending your money overseas, by western union, etc, then those are the brakes

 

[mcrain]

Thank you.

I am fairly well versed, and not a newbie, but the craigslist reminders never hurt. After being very careful for years, I nearly got suckered.

I was looking for new housing. I didn't think scams would be common there, I mean, how do you fake a house?

Well, they tried, and it it weren't for that constant buzz in the back of my brain from people saying watch out for scams, I might have fallen for it.

Yes, we will rent to you. I'm out of the country, so I need to be really certain about the people we're going to rent to. We're less worried about making money off the rent, and more interested in the quality of people renting from us. Can you send us proof of employment, salary, etc....

The rent seemed too good. The pictures seemed too good. Out of the country? What?!?! Oh wait a second...

 

[Scott6666]

Go away bashers

I think anyone who doesn't think the post or thread should just move on rather than posting their snide remarks, and then on top of that maintain they are saving bandwidth, the integrity of the forum, the world or whatever.

I'm really tired of the bashers. They're not moderators, they're not special, they just seem to have way too much time on their hands to criticize others. They make these forums unpleasant.

Each of us can judge what is important the them. Your basher opinion may not be what we all think, so stop trying to censor threads. If you really wanted to save bandwidth, the integrity, etc you would just move on without comment.

Thank you OP for what you thought was important. Of the many threads available it obviously caught my attention. I'm sure there are some out there who see "escrow company" and figure that provides a layer of safety. Your warning may do someone some good.

 

[bt22]

I felt compelled to join in this debate. I have seen several threads discussing the attitude of some posters here. I think one of the greatest things about the Mac is the feeling of community and the fact you have sights such as this. I have been reading post here for some time and have only recently bought an iPhone and even more recently MacBook Pro. I have certainly been given great advice and feedback from this site and feel that everyone has an opportunity to offer helpful tips or suggestions when necessary and choose to ignore ones they don't feel like responding to. I may not like what's on TV, but I can turn the channel or turn it off. I know that I felt the desire to join in these discussions and have certainly made undesirable threads. I think we should welcome newbies and guide them when necessary rather than be rude to someone and make their Apple experience less desirable.

My 2 cents...

 

[kellen]

If you get that mad about redundant posts, even if from a new user, then you are taking this website too seriously. Or you could always not respond to it.

Almost as bad as people who care about spelling, when you obviously know what the OP means.

 

[eman]

Op, thanks for the useful post! If this saves one person or newbie from the scammers, it was worth it.
For the criticizers, find a new hobby or source of entertainment.

 

[Surely]

Here's a new one that I've never seen before. I received it today in response to a for sale ad I posted:

From: "Autumn Kimber" <autumnkimber48@hotmail.com>

Hello There and thanks for joining the Craigslist special-offers by phone program. Within the next 48 hours you will begin receiving calls from our sponsors with some unique offers.

If at any point you would like to unsubscribe from the program, please click the link below.

Remove Me

Our staff will remove your phone number from the list and you will not receive any phone calls from us in the future. Thank you.

Needless to say, I didn't click on the "Remove Me" link.

How am I going to receive calls from them? My number isn't posted in the ad.

Strange that Craigslist would send out an official email from a hotmail account.

Oh, and feel free to spam autumnkimber48@hotmail.com as you please.