I am selling my old breast pump on Craigslist (I breastfed Bram until I just couldn’t keep up with it anymore. I only used it around four times, so it’s still worth a considerable amount.) I get this email from an Elizabeth Edwards asking if it’s available. I reply that it is indeed, and I get this reply back.
Ok, so obviously, bogus. But what the hells the scam here? Are they just trying to get my information so they can sell it? Or are they going to send a check for real, but there won’t be funds to back it up? How does that help them? What is the purpose of urging me to delete the posting? I’ve looked at this from every angle I can think of, and can’t figure out what “Elizabeth” has to gain from this.
I hate Craigslist for this reason. I need to sell the thing by Sunday to get some money for school. ugh.
They’re going to send you a money order/bogus check for more than the cost of the item and ask you to refund the extra to them/send it to their cousin who’s studying abroad/whatever. You go cash it and send on the money, and weeks later it comes back as fraudulent. You’re on the hook for that extra money.
In the spirit with which we correspond with our friends from Nigeria, have you considered telling them that couriers won’t deliver to your area, but only USPS does?
Similarly, how about cashing the check and sitting on it until it defaults, laughing merrily at their tales of destitute relatives.
“That’s great! Total cost will be $XXXXX. However, it is a known scam for people on Craigslist to send a fraudulent check for a larger amount than necessary, and ask for a reimbursement for the difference, bilking the seller out of money. Therefore, if your cashier’s check is for one penny more than the above amount, I will NOT reimburse you ANY money. The price is $XXXXX, not $XXXXX.01. I trust you understand my caution.”