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THE LATEST CRAIGSLIST SCAM!
Posted by Admin on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Don’t Fall For This Scam!
It happened to me last week.
My husband and I were selling a set of dining chairs because they don’t work in our new house. So, of course we posted them on craigslist Orlando.
We took photos, wrote clear descriptions, and priced them to sell.
We got an email response from someone saying he was interested and would like to call us to schedule a visit. So we carefully gave him our number. (You should always be careful about giving out your number to a stranger!)
He called us the next day, we chatted about the chairs, and he said, “I’m very interested and would like to see your chairs. What’s your address?” I paused and thought to myself, “He’s got to get my address anyway, right?”
At that point it occurred to me just how much trust we place in absolute strangers these days. Regardless, I gave him my address.
What happened next really surprised me. He asked, “Are you going to be around for the next few hours?” I naturally replied, “Yes.” After all, I was going to be home for the rest of the day. But for a moment, let’s assume I had said, “No.”
This stranger not only knows where I live, but he also knows no one is going to be there for the next few hours.
This is the very latest craigslist scam and, like most successful scams, is not obvious if you’re not paying attention. Please spread the word about this scam. Don’t let anyone you know fall victim. There’s no reason to be overprotective these days, especially with all the crazy craigslist encounters we’re reading about.
Here’s a question for you: Do you run background checks on people you do business with on craigslist? Perhaps we all should.
Be smart. Be safe. Be in control.
~ Belle
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My name is Kim and I am a freelance writer. I have over 30 years of experience in office management and administrative expertise. I specialize in handling customer service, training and writing for online businesses.
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Kim
Wow thank you for the info about craigslist I would have never thought to think there are people out there that pray on people like us about handing out info like ph# and address’s I will keep this in mind. But I have heard of people being ripped off for there money after going to see an item and the seller steeling the money and this is Craigslist Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
thanks belle i sell a lot on craigs list i to had a funny call likt that so i lied to the guy and said i was going out for the day guess what he came just like i hoped and got in the garage well when he saw this 6 foot 8 guy there it was not a good day for him i kick the shit out of him and he ran from the house a bloody mess
Very smart, Belle, I don’t know that I would have thought about it, but then we have four dogs that are a deterrent, I hope.