Scam?
- Thread starter Fuddy1952
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CobyRupert
Super Member
Geesh, all one has to do is look around, look at the news, or go on Facebook to see how easily and how many people are taken in by cons and phony information. It really makes you question people, common sense, our country, etc..
OP
Fuddy1952
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- 1973 Economy and 2018 John Deere 3038E
Very true Coby! Although wife & I have never joined Facebook.
I believe with Craigslist they need to crack down on these scams. To me it's easy. When listing for sale it should say the item must be available, as described and as shown in pictures FOR the price listed, otherwise a fine will be imposed ($500? first offence).
Peter 315
Super Member
Here's one I just saw. General obligation, a little steep at $1KView attachment 661269
Just send them a gift card I'm sure they will send the tractor to you......
Who are they going to fine?
Most con artists are very good at what they do. And, they like to prey on the elderly, who can't see all the red flags.
But, they do catch plenty of ordinary people simply by getting them to have an emotional response, rather than a thinking one.
I do believe more can be done to stop them. But, they will just move on to the next scam.
The most popular one right now seems to be, "I am calling form the warranty department".
OP
Fuddy1952
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Why...Craig Newmark!
Just joking. Actually whoever posts the ad would be fined. They (Craigslist) would have to incorporate a system so that anyone is free to post an ad, but with proper identification. Also the location needs to make sense. As it is now a Craigslist Bangor Maine you'll see something for sale in Miami, but usually a location image of Bangor.
Scammers will always find a way around something though, but it may help.
Craigslist posts annual revenue of $1 billion: Study
Craigslist posts annual revenue of $1 billion: Study
Jkott
Silver Member
Craigslist is free, and you are getting what you pay for.
Hiring a staff to vet every seller would get rather expensive (and remember craigslist is FREE) And how many people are willing to give craigslist a copy of their government ID with signature on it?
OP
Fuddy1952
Elite Member
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- 1973 Economy and 2018 John Deere 3038E
Craigslist is free to list, however, it isn't a non profit entity. The link I provided shows their profit. So they have accountability.
Craigslist did take down ads for prostitution solicitors. This is just another step they could take. I don't know all the nuances of Craigslist, but they certainly could have a disclaimer so that when listing something for sale, it must be available! The seller simply has to provide legitimate contact information.
Otherwise it's a free-for-all $1B industry without any accountability.
Scammers will forever dream of ways to take advantage of the gullible, doing so under the auspices of a money making enterprise is wrong.
rs191
Member
Everyone PLEASE FLAG those ridiculous ads for perfect tractors being offered at $1,000. And the John Deere Gators for $1,200.
I've read that that an ad won't be removed until many people flag it. Craigslist areas with larger populations and more readers will require MORE flags on an ad before it is removed. Just take a few seconds and flag the obvious scam ads.
This ads are national, not local. The same $1,000 BX2200 is listed in Maine, California and Florida. What agency should be reacting to an ongoing criminal enterprise that is out in the open like this?
There have been a few Craigslist postings by people warning about these scams. They said the criminals either work towards identity theft or try to get partial payments "up front", to reserve the item.
I agree with the people in this thread who say the idiotic items in these ads (fine leather seats, no accidents, just repainted, great A/C on a zero-turn rider mower) are intended to weed out the less susceptible buyers. If you're aware of what they're trying to do - flag 'em!
edit - fixed typo
I've read that that an ad won't be removed until many people flag it. Craigslist areas with larger populations and more readers will require MORE flags on an ad before it is removed. Just take a few seconds and flag the obvious scam ads.
This ads are national, not local. The same $1,000 BX2200 is listed in Maine, California and Florida. What agency should be reacting to an ongoing criminal enterprise that is out in the open like this?
There have been a few Craigslist postings by people warning about these scams. They said the criminals either work towards identity theft or try to get partial payments "up front", to reserve the item.
I agree with the people in this thread who say the idiotic items in these ads (fine leather seats, no accidents, just repainted, great A/C on a zero-turn rider mower) are intended to weed out the less susceptible buyers. If you're aware of what they're trying to do - flag 'em!
edit - fixed typo
