Craigslist scam?

Jenbrady
Contributor
Contributor

Hi....

I have had an offer from a person in another state for an item I am selling on Craigslist.  The buyer wants to pay by PayPal.  I'm not sure that it is a legitimate email, but I suppose it could be.  I have explained that I will not ship the item until payment has cleared.  The buyer states that this is fine and has requested my email and account name.  I was thinking I would just send my PayPal email address and then just see what happens.  Is there any way I could have issues by giving him my email provided I don't ship him anything without verifying the funds in my account?

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4 REPLIES 4

kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@Jenbrady

 

I bet it will turn out to be one of these 2.

This is how a typical scam works ..................

 

 They encourage you to accept a 'direct' Paypal payment and may ask you to send the item internationally.
They don't quibble on cost and may also say they can't view the item as they are disabled or working abroad etc etc but they will arrange a shipping agent to collect it.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't because they don't actually have a Paypal account and have no intention of paying you.
It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.
They will tell you that the payment is released when you provide paypal with a tracking/shipping number......this won't happen.

OR
If the item requires shipping the 'fake' paypal email will tell you that the buyer has paid for the item + shipping costs but you must send those shipping costs to the courier/ shipping agent via western union, moneygram or walmart etc BEFORE the funds are released to you.
They are not interested in the item, they just want the western union etc funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.

They also threaten legal action...have a laugh at that one and ignore it as its rubbish.
Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.
Paypal do not tell you to send trackable, they advise it for selling protection but it is not compulsory.
Paypal NEVER expect you to use a rival money transfer service eg Moneygram or Western Union etc.
Also their is no seller protection on paypal for any item that is collected by the buyer.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.


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Kudos / Solution appreciated.
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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@Jenbrady

 

Your welcome !


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Jenbrady
Contributor
Contributor

Thanks for the info!!  I sent the guy an email telling him I had contacted PayPal about ways to look for scammers and I needed to talk to him on the phone before going any further and of course, I haven't heard anything else.  haha. 

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@Jenbrady

 

'kudos' or a solution would have been nice as i took the time to save you from being scammed maybe?


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