SCAM on Creigslist

[pete42]

I do believe this is a scam 2008 22foot trailer travel trailer for $2200.
I responded to the ad it was suppost to be in a town near me.
I received an email stating to send them my home address phone number and they would sent me directions
on how to pay E-BAY for the trailer that was listed on creigslist?and trailer would be shipped free of charge.
I emailed them back and said I had sent the money to their AOL email account and I would pick up the trailer.
they emailed me back and said trailer was in Phoenix not town close to me.
I emailed them back and said I happened to be in Phoenix on vacation and I could stop by and get the trailer
all they had to do was say where and when.

I wonder how many people fall for this?
I did not send money just reported them to e-bay and creigslist.
pet

[eamarquardt]

It's not the first scam on Creigslist nor will it be the last scam on Creigslist.

Cheers,

Gus

[ssrjim]

I've seen that scam and have played the same game.

[8ball_99]

Its VERY common.. They post an item for cheap, Tell you they have to ship it to you for one reason or another,, Out of the country, moved and left item with a shipping depot, ect. But its 100% safe for you cause they want to go through ebay auto. Its such a load. First time I heard it I did the same thing you did. Oh thats fine I plan on being in that area in the next few days I'll just swing by and get it.. When they come up with some reason why I can't I just tell them to get a Read Job and stop being such a low life..
You will get the same crap selling stuff also. I use creigslist and have bought and sold severl things on there.. But the ONLY way to do it. Is meet in person and do a cash deal. I even post that on my adds. The good thing about creigslist is its free and easy to use.. The bad thing is, Its free and easy to use lol.. Scammers can easily post a BS add up there for Free and worse case it gets flagged and deleted.. Then all they do is open another account and try again...

[mary and bob]

This type scam comes up frequently involving fiberglass campers, like Scamp or Casita. If you do a craigslist search the same ad will likely show up all over the country. One of our members here got scam responses to a teardrop he was selling. "I want your camper but I'm out of the country working and" some BS story to send you extra money and you send the extra on to some bogus third party that will come get the trailer. Wouldn't we just like to get our hands on these scammers, but we'd probably have to travel out of North America to do it.

[pete42]

I will say the person won't give up and I'm having fun stringing him(?) along.
I told him I was in phoenix he said their contract would not allow inspections
at the shippers site I told him since he is military and shipping is free his words, that to just
get it out of storage and I will gladly pay the $2200 and I can use it on my visit to the
westcoast and that I will be in Phoenix for the next 3 or 4 weeks.
I'm sure that sometime in the near future they will give up altho
it doesn't take much time to type and answer on the computer.

pete

[DriverOne]

I will say the person won't give up and I'm having fun stringing him(?) along.
I told him I was in phoenix he said their contract would not allow inspections
at the shippers site I told him since he is military and shipping is free his words, that to just
get it out of storage and I will gladly pay the $2200 and I can use it on my visit to the
westcoast and that I will be in Phoenix for the next 3 or 4 weeks.
I'm sure that sometime in the near future they will give up altho
it doesn't take much time to type and answer on the computer.

pete

Well, at least you're enjoying yourself with it! Have fun! Tell them you've acquired the trailer, and it's in great shape, etc... haha

[Oldragbaggers]

I have seen ads in this area for 2007 or 2008 Airstream Bambi for $2500.... Geez, what are the chances THAT's a SCAM ????

[Kharn]

If any of the following are included in the ad or correspondence, its a scam and don't even bother:
1. Shipping the item
2. Any mention of escrow or broker
3. Paypal for payment (or the "I'll send you a check, you send me my change" routine when selling)
4. No local address to inspect item (or interest in inspecting the item from a buyer)
5. Any sob story about the previous owner

People are scammed all the time on Craigslist, flagging and moving on is all you can do when you spot a bad listing.

[stumphugger]

I think I ruined a wedding!
I answered an ad for a Scamp trailer which was supposedly an hour away. That's a short drive if you live in the sticks like I do. Well, a week later, the scammer said sorry to be late in answering but he had to drive quite far to plan a wedding for his daughter. They were selling the trailer to get wedding money. But, the trailer was still available and I needed to go through the OT payment process.

To me, OT means overtime--nothing else. I asked for details on what it was. This is the scam. I send cash or a check to an OT company. Then they will arrange for me to set up a time to see the trailer and inspect it and will handle all the paperwork.

Yup. Sure. You betcha. No wedding money from me. I want to fondle a trailer, take a time out to think about it, and then make the deal or not.

However, a boss of mine called about a Mazda Miata that was advertised for an extremely low price. That was back when they were new on the market. It had sold. She was divorcing her husband and apparently didn't need money so was practically giving his stuff away.

[Reddiver]

Around here you answer the ad and are told to bring cash to some location to pick up the trailer .. When you get there some asshole and his buddy hold you up at gun point.. If it sounds to good to be true well you know the rest.

[pete42]

Around here you answer the ad and are told to bring cash to some location to pick up the trailer .. When you get there some asshole and his buddy hold you up at gun point.. If it sounds to good to be true well you know the rest.

happens here also.
I think it was about a month ago it happened in a town near me couple of guys stoled the cash
from a person looking for a car.

pete

[DriverOne]

The more I hear about this the more I believe that it would be a good idea to have a mediation service available that could verify that an item is indeed for sale, as well as be a notary witness to the transaction at hand. Yes, you would be charged a fee as the seller, but said fee could be minimal. This way you're away from your home, you meet in a safe area, and the transaction can take place without either side worrying about getting shot! Places like trading posts or "sell it yourself" lots could offer the service, as they already do a similar sort of thing anyway, and most have camera surveillance.

[DriverOne]

The more I hear about this the more I believe that it would be a good idea to have a mediation service available that could verify that an item is indeed for sale, as well as be a notary witness to the transaction at hand. Yes, you would be charged a fee as the seller, but said fee could be minimal. This way you're away from your home, you meet in a safe area, and the transaction can take place without either side worrying about getting shot! Places like trading posts or "sell it yourself" lots could offer the service, as they already do a similar sort of thing anyway, and most have camera surveillance.

[jeff0520]

Around here you answer the ad and are told to bring cash to some location to pick up the trailer .. When you get there some asshole and his buddy hold you up at gun point.. If it sounds to good to be true well you know the rest.

"Why sure we can meet and do business for cash. Police headquarters here in town has a big lighted parking lot, with lots of security cameras. They ENCOURAGE people to come and do such transactions in their lot. The high quality HD security cameras make it very easy to track down criminals when it's a scam.