edit: Please, no more posting threads about yet another scammer who falls into the below categories. If it is covered here, don't bother posting. If there is a new or unique scam method, please post it in this thread.
Okay, so as not to waste space in the forum, I thought I'd post up this thread to consolidate the million scam emails kicking around. They are getting to be as widespread as spam, so posting the email addresses of the scammers isn't very useful anymore.
Thought I'd start a list of the dead giveaways that the emails come from scammers so anyone who is unsure can check the list. Post up anything that I've missed.
1) ANYTHING involving a "shipping agent" or if the buyer cryptically says that s/he will make "shipping arrangements." If they won't provide you a shipping address, it means they don't want you to have contact information.
2) ANY time a buyer wants to give you an amount higher than the asking price, and "trusts" you to send them the balance.
3) Any time the email looks like it's been generated out of a form or by copy-and-paste. If the email says, "Hi I am interested in your 2004 Specialized FSR Mountain Bike, can you please provide me a price for your 2004 Specialized FSR Mountain Bike?" or "I am interested in (MOUNTAIN BIKE)."
4) If the first contact email straight up says they'll take it and to provide the following information:
6) Along the same topic, if responses are not addressing things you've said in your communications, it's probably a scam. That is, if you ask a direct question or state something that obviously requires a response, and they don't even acknowledge it, that should set off a red flag.
The bottom line is if it even crosses your mind that it's suspicious behavior and it might be a scam, there's a good chance it is. Many of these things seem obvious to some people, but others don't see it. Post your tips!
Okay, so as not to waste space in the forum, I thought I'd post up this thread to consolidate the million scam emails kicking around. They are getting to be as widespread as spam, so posting the email addresses of the scammers isn't very useful anymore.
Thought I'd start a list of the dead giveaways that the emails come from scammers so anyone who is unsure can check the list. Post up anything that I've missed.
1) ANYTHING involving a "shipping agent" or if the buyer cryptically says that s/he will make "shipping arrangements." If they won't provide you a shipping address, it means they don't want you to have contact information.
2) ANY time a buyer wants to give you an amount higher than the asking price, and "trusts" you to send them the balance.
3) Any time the email looks like it's been generated out of a form or by copy-and-paste. If the email says, "Hi I am interested in your 2004 Specialized FSR Mountain Bike, can you please provide me a price for your 2004 Specialized FSR Mountain Bike?" or "I am interested in (MOUNTAIN BIKE)."
4) If the first contact email straight up says they'll take it and to provide the following information:
5) Poor communication skills are always a big red flag. I realize that not everyone speaks English as their first language, but you can usually tell the difference between someone trying hard to speak well, and someone who can't even grasp basic communications.FULL NAME :
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP CODE:
COUNTRY:
(HOME,CELL AND WORK) PHONE NUMBER:
6) Along the same topic, if responses are not addressing things you've said in your communications, it's probably a scam. That is, if you ask a direct question or state something that obviously requires a response, and they don't even acknowledge it, that should set off a red flag.
The bottom line is if it even crosses your mind that it's suspicious behavior and it might be a scam, there's a good chance it is. Many of these things seem obvious to some people, but others don't see it. Post your tips!