READ BEFORE POSTING. Scam thread. Tips or signs that you might be getting scammed.

[binary visions]

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:
FULL NAME :
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP CODE:
COUNTRY:
(HOME,CELL AND WORK) PHONE NUMBER:

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.

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!

[$tinkle]

#7: requesting information about your bike that's readily available in the ad (they don't tend to keep track of all the lines they've dropped in the water)

#8: person claims to be a proxy buyer

#9: email contact can be a combination of common name w/ sequence number (e.g., mike.williams_1298@hotmail.com). while this is good practice to prevent spambots from guessing your address, if the contact doesn't communicate like a 'mike williams', this could be a red flag.

also, google phrases used in correspondence to confirm #3 (usually reveals outstanding complaints from others)

[binary visions]

#7: requesting information about your bike that's readily available in the ad (they don't tend to keep track of all the lines they've dropped in the water)

I would like to highlight this one. One of the more common scam emails asks "What is the present condition of this item?" and "What is the final asking price?"

If you listed the condition of the item in the ad, and they are not asking for specifics (e.g. does it have any scratches), write it off as a scam. If you stated the asking price and they are not haggling, same deal.

[SK6]

The reason for the post is this following email is a standard they use:



Dear ***** ******,

My present location is canada but i can leave there anytime as my work determines my location,I will be paying {$300} as offer for the '07 Avid Juicy 7's,The payment method will be check which will clear into your bank account in less than 24hrs,do make available in your next email the details below for the payment to be issued.

FULL NAME..
CONTACT ADDRESS..
CITY..
STATE...
ZIP CODE..
PHONE NUMBER... (HOME,OFFICE,CELL)

Get back to me immediatelly you have this email and concerning the shipping of the item,i will be talking with a shipping agent who is capable of handling things like this and they are reliable.


Regards.

Notice how they use my FULL name, derived from my email addy....I received this letter from 3 other "individuals", and I mean identical.

Simple email response




Dear *****

Please understand that payment must clear prior to shipping. Upon confirmation of payment, the items shall be shipped to you immediately. Also, please send confirmation of address. My friend who is an attorney advised me I have to protect my own interests, as well as the buyers.



Sincerely,

***** ******




just a suggestion

[ultraNoob]

Hey, got a new one today. Great version of the classic nigerian scam (see above) except that the person is in the Midwest and is "moving over seas". Person had great grammar and spelling too. My friends actually fell for it, but asked me to look over the emails to make sure they didn't miss anything. It's a good thing they didn't hand over any critical info.

Poor grammar and spelling are no longer a prime indicator of a scammer. Good luck everyone.

[phil78]

I'm posting for advice from more experienced sellers on the legitimacy of Paypal and C.O.D. shipping:

I've got a number of things for sale, and I've had a couple requests for C.O.D. sales to Canada. (I live in Maryland). Both people who requested this were averse to other arrangements: One person said he thought C.O.D. was the best arrangement for shipping to Calgary because shipping there is "difficult" and that he would never use Paypal because he knew too many people "burned by Paypal." Another person said she "preferred the simplicity" of C.O.D. I explained to both people that Paypal protects both parties: I ship expensive items to other countries only AFTER I have received payment, and they have full protection from fraud if they use a credit card (through the chargeback process). I then asked them to explain how I am protected if their form of C.O.D. payment--cashier's check, money order, personal check--doesn't clear. I thought this was a reasonable question, but both people stopped replying to my emails. That made me think they were trying to scam me.

Please respond if you can give me advice on safe ways to sell C.O.D., if there are any, and please let me know if there is a better alternative to Paypal for selling things to people far away or in different countries. Thanks!

[ultraNoob]

I've been with paypal since 1998 and have never had a problem with their system. But then again, the priciest thing I've bought/sold is less than $800.

C.O.D. on the otherhand is a complicated issue. When I used to work for FedEx, the COD's were always done with cash. The cash was deposited by FedEx and a cashiers check would be sent to the seller within a week. Not sure how your shipper does it.

My bottom line is... If I don't trust the other person, I won't deal with COD or a non ebay paypal transaction. The rest of the time I prefer face to face transactions. It just boils down to trust.

[Transcend]

Paypal does have a habit of screwing people, just to be clear. The routinely close accounts and confiscate the funds present in it for no legitimate reason. The seller ALWAYS LOSES. Paypal will protect the buyer fairly well, but as a seller you have lots to be worried about.

[binary visions]

Another warning flag that I've seen before and someone just posted here, is a buyer specifically requesting to do business with an "honest seller." Usually accompanied by one or more of the above signs (bad grammar, asking for already available information, etc.).

[maddog17]

i've never had a problem using Paypal. just remember that they take a small % of the sell price for their commission. as far as COD, you should remember that it doesn't mean that the buyer HAS to pay in cash. they could write a check which could be bad. i was a shipping mgr. and we dealt with a lot of COD. for those that bounced checks with us, we specified that the order had to be paid with Cash or a Certified Check. that puts a bit of pressure on the carrier, UPS or Fed X because it's now their responsibility to collect the right payment. as an example, we shipped an order cash/cert. check with fed x and the driver took a regular business check. well the check bounced and fed x paid us and went after the guy for payment. so doing a COD can be ok, just as long as you specify to cover your butt.

[eaterofdog]

Paypal does have a habit of screwing people, just to be clear. The routinely close accounts and confiscate the funds present in it for no legitimate reason. The seller ALWAYS LOSES. Paypal will protect the buyer fairly well, but as a seller you have lots to be worried about.

I have to disagree with this. If the seller sends you anything, they can use the shipping record as proof of a completed transaction and the issue will be closed.

I suggest using an escrow service for anything over a couple of hundred bucks.