Latest Craigslist Scam

[radlefty]

I listed my BMW K1300s on Mpls Craigslist today.  Within 2 hrs a got a text with a California #.  The person claimed to be a friend of someone in the military that had limited time to search, so they were helping them. If the bike was still for sale could I send them an email asap.  Sounded suspicious to me, but decided to send an email. Within half an hour I got an email from someone claiming to be in the USAF and was currently in base and couldn't use the phone for security reasons but had access to the internet.

He wanted to buy the bike for his son as a birthday present and had a long list of questions for me including whether I had a verified PayPal account.  At this point I went to google and found this.  https://www.scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&p=281563
Other then having a different name and being in the Air Force instead of being in the Army Reserve, the process and questions were virtually identical to mine. 

Hopefully I'll get the bike sold eventually, as after 3 yrs with the Kbike, I've just never bonded with it. In 30+ yrs of riding it's been my first inline 4 and it will be my last. It's an incredibly well designed and engineered bike, but unless ridden at lose your license speeds, it just bore's the crap out of me. Looking forward to returning to the Guzzi world. 

[sdcr]

   Craigslist is certainly a great resource to sell and buy things, especially MC's. However,it is fraught with scams, and potential pitfalls. Everything from people trying to get personal info, to sellers being ripped off and robbed by people who respond to ads.

     Recently I've advertised a spare Le Mans III fairing, and almost daily, receive an e mail with, "Is the car still available?"


John

1983 Le Mans III

[sign216]

I recently sold an Infiniti sedan, posting on Craigslist (CL), Ebay, and Autotrader.  Surprisingly, I got more scam emails from Autotrader than CL.  The scam was the same; claiming to be in the service in a remote base in Germany, no phone, wanted to use Paypal, etc.

Not sure how the theft occurs, but I didn't go forward. 

On CL I didn't get scammers, but just loads of people that wanted to talk, but not really act.  Lots of negation, bargaining, but not ever coming to consummate the purchase. 

In the end sold it to a local man who saw the ad.  He gave a $100 bill as a deposit, no paperwork no nothing.  Next day his wife came with cash, and I signed over the title.  Oddly, he was getting it for his son, who was on leave from the Air Force. 

[Triple Jim]

Oddly, he was getting it for his son, who was on leave from the Air Force.

Maybe he as a scammer, just not a good one.   

[sign216]

Maybe he as a scammer, just not a good one.   

Actually my wife thought the bills might be counterfeit, just cause the transaction was so large. 
But she's not accustomed to doing any purchase with cash, so she hardly knows what to do with a 50 or 100.

They look good to me. 

[Scud]

Scams are real, but just as a counter-point:  I once sold a car although everything seemed like a scam. I just stayed in contact with my bank to make sure they knew what I was doing and to advise me if they saw a risk. I ended up shipping it to Poland to somebody I never met - and I got paid in advance of loading it on the truck.

Now to the subject of motorcycles... Which Guzzi are you going to get?  And might you consider a utilitarian stable-mate?  I had an R1100RT for many years, but like you, I never bonded with it.

I've been having a lot of fun with my K75s. It's got that kitchen-appliance reliability and decent saddlebags - but's it's old, weird, and cool enough to keep me happy. They're so cheap that could pick up and interesting used Guzzi AND a clean little brick for much less than the cost of a new motorcycle.

[drlapo]

I experienced the same scam last year.
Received 2 almost identical emails from persons in Baltimore the same day.
They must have been giving the template out in a local bar

[Tom]

I list that they must email with email address and phone number.  If they don't I dump their reply and don't waste my time.  An additional requirement is that they can give me a cc account number.  VS or MC.

[Triple Jim]

I list that they must email with email address and phone number.  If they don't I dump their reply and don't waste my time.  An additional requirement is that they can give me a cc account number.  VS or MC.

Hmmm, if I were asked for a credit card number from a Craigslist seller, I'd assume he was going to scam me.

[Tom]

Hmmm, if I were asked for a credit card number from a Craigslist seller, I'd assume he was going to scam me.

You read it wrong.  The replier is responding to an ad that I posted as a seller.  I'm not a buyer.

[sib]

When I made the mistake of listing my cell number in a Craigslist ad when I sold my '13 Stone, I got a number of calls from people who wanted to "help" me sell the motorcycle, for a cut.  I quickly deleted my cell number from the ad, and managed to sell the bike without any help.

Several years earlier, I sold a thoroughly used red 1994 Corolla for cash, to a guy from the middle east who claimed to intend to export it to an operation in the middle east, that would refurbish it and resell it there.  For several years, I expected to read in a newspaper that a red 1994 Corolla was used as a car bomb.

[canuguzzi]

You read it wrong.  The replier is responding to an ad that I posted as a seller.  I'm not a buyer.

Right, you as the seller are asking the buyer for a credit card number?

How many people have given up their credit card numbers?

[giusto]

I list that they must email with email address and phone number.  If they don't I dump their reply and don't waste my time.  An additional requirement is that they can give me a cc account number.  VS or MC.

Absolutely this is the way to go...ask for an address and phone number and tell them you will be voice verifying all purchases....put that in your add and you will cut down scams buy half...still leaving to many but it's a start.

[canuguzzi]

Who on their right mind gives their address to a seller on Craigslist before verifying that the seller isn't a scammer? Scams work both ways you know.

As for giving a seller a credit card number? People do this?

[Tom]

Right, you as the seller are asking the buyer for a credit card number?

How many people have given up their credit card numbers?

No scammers.

[Tom]

Who on their right mind gives their address to a seller on Craigslist before verifying that the seller isn't a scammer? Scams work both ways you know.

As for giving a seller a credit card number? People do this?

If the seller is valid then a conversation starts.  I ask for their email address and phone number then I call them.  I also let them know that credit card fraud is a crime.  Seems the ones that are serious will follow through and it does eliminate the scammers.  I post rentals on a regular basis.

[leafman60]

Hopefully I'll get the bike sold eventually, as after 3 yrs with the Kbike, I've just never bonded with it. In 30+ yrs of riding it's been my first inline 4 and it will be my last. It's an incredibly well designed and engineered bike, but unless ridden at lose your license speeds, it just bore's the crap out of me. 

Ditto

My sentiments about 4-cylinders as well.

[Triple Jim]

You read it wrong.  The replier is responding to an ad that I posted as a seller.  I'm not a buyer.

I read it as you asking a potential buyer for a credit card number.  If I were a potential buyer calling you, and you asked me for a credit card number, I would assume you were trying to scam me.  Maybe I'm missing something.

[Tom]

I read it as you asking a potential buyer for a credit card number.  If I were a potential buyer calling you, and you asked me for a credit card number, I would assume you were trying to scam me.  Maybe I'm missing something.

Of course if you're not a scammer and are looking to buy then you have no problems.  If as the seller I have something that you want then you'd have to follow through.  If not then I won't be talking with you or communicating.  The same goes for things that I've sold on Ebay.  "Credit cards taken".  Don't buy.  No problem for me. 

[canuguzzi]

Of course if you're not a scammer and are looking to buy then you have no problems.  If as the seller I have something that you want then you'd have to follow through.  If not then I won't be talking with you or communicating.  The same goes for things that I've sold on Ebay.  "Credit cards taken".  Don't buy.  No problem for me.

Maybe you're not being clear or what you are saying is being misunderstood.

Are you asking for a credit card number before someone sees the item and as a requirement to discuss the sale? That is how what you posted reads. I'd never send a CC number to someone for anything on a CL ad nor give it to you over the phone unless I can verify who you are.

EBay is one thing, a Craigslist ad can be anything and recourse is virtually nonexistent.

[krglorioso]

Maybe I lead a charmed life...

I just sold my well-upgraded 2004 Stone Touring "cream puff" via San Diego Craigslist.  The bike had two older, fussy owners and since I have two other street bikes, one an 03 Stone Touring, this one had only 16K miles.  I described it meticulously and included several very clear photos in the ad.  I had a dozen inquiries, only one of which struck me as phony.  The first responder was a retired USAF jet mechanic who knew Guzzi quite well.  I deluged him with photos and lengthy e-mails about the bike.  He paid my asking price of $4250 and I am happy that he has stayed in touch with me following arrival of the bike at his AZ home.  He told me he is totally satisfied with his purchase (and he really is riding the wheels off it!), as I am totally satisfied with the sale.  I could not have found a better buyer. 

Eternal  vigilance is mandated when dealing via Craigslist, but, that said, there are some very fine people out there, too.

Ralph

[kirb]

I'm selling my truck on CL and have come to the conclusion that there are a high percentage of ad responses that are (1) complete morons, (2) don't have an internet connection(!), or (3) just can't read.

I post a link to a blog with a bunch of photos, all I get are "can you text me more photos?"

The truck is red, I list it as red, I get a few that ask "what color is it?" I respond with "Red, just like the photos" and get back "I can't see the photos, so please describe it to me" or "I don't have internet. My neighbor printed it out and they look black and white".

"I see it has XXX option, what happens if that breaks?", "Can I pay you XXX per month?"...the standard CL complaints can all be listed here.

[segesta]

As a counterpoint, I recently had a great experience selling my California 1400 on Craigslist Chicago. No scammers, two serious requests, one of whom bought the bike. Always a good idea to talk on the phone to ensure they are not a flake (and for them to ensure you're not a flake). The transaction was painless, except for riding it to Wisconsin on a 30F morning. 

[radlefty]

I should mention that I have sold 4 bikes over the last 11 yrs with Craigslist, and this is the first time I've been contacted by a scammer. I've certainly had my share of odd questions and interesting experiences with people, but overall Craigslist has been a relatively easy way for me to sell my bikes. And the actual transactions with the people I sold the bikes too always went smoothly. 

[Tom]

Maybe you're not being clear or what you are saying is being misunderstood.

Are you asking for a credit card number before someone sees the item and as a requirement to discuss the sale? That is how what you posted reads. I'd never send a CC number to someone for anything on a CL ad nor give it to you over the phone unless I can verify who you are.

EBay is one thing, a Craigslist ad can be anything and recourse is virtually nonexistent.

I guess then if that's a requirement for the sale and you don't want to fulfill it.  The sale is off.  On another note, I did a fundraiser for the high school Rifle team that I coach.  The majority of the forum members didn't know me.  I told those interested to email phone numbers and I would take their cc info over the phone.  Worked out well.  I was able to raise some money and the members got a cool tee to wear.