Here are some common scams currently infesting online classifieds sites. They are pretty easy to spot- trust your instincts and use your common sense.
Keep it local: The majority of scams originate from overseas. You should never wire money to a distant buyer.
If the buyer wants to use an Escrow service- look out. It’s almost certainly a scam.
You should never give out personal information like your Social Security Number, checking account number, bank info etc.
If the deal seems too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.
If you receive an email from a suspected scammer, please forward it to violations@thestranger.com so we can take action.
Here are a few common scenarios.
• Scammers typically reply to posts with offers involving fake cashier's checks or wire transfers. They pose as buyers from overseas or a distant place. The cashier's check may clear, but once the fraud is discovered, your bank will hold you responsible.
• A distant buyer claims that they will send you a cashier's check for more than you are selling an item for, on the condition that you will send the difference back to them. The cashier's check is fake, you loose your money, and your financial institution will hold you accountable for the bad check. Ouch.
• A seller requests use of an online escrow service and sometimes requests the use of a third party escrow that is in on the scam.
• A seller requests that you wire the money. Once you wire the money, they claim you have given them the wrong confirmation code so they cannot withdraw the money or ship the item. They are liars, and they have your money.
• A seller requests a partial payment before shipping goods, assuring they trust you to send the remaining payment later. The deal is simply too good to be true. The item is never shipped, and the seller denies receiving payment.
• An employer promises employment with monetary deposit. This is never appropriate. No legitimate employer requires a fee to work for them. Heartless creeps.
Don’t worry. The vast majority of Stranger readers are legitimate, and a pleasure to work with. Please let us know if you run into trouble.