Seller Beware

[Nimrodtoo]

Total scam. Got an almost verbatim response with the particulars changed on a plow I advertised on CL. I bit, responding with 'let's make plans to see it first' and provided general directions (an area) to meet and see it. Nothing but crickets.
Retired from IT a couple of years ago and all I can say is if it seems too good... it's a scam. If you didn't request it, it's a scam. Before you respond to any email, text, or call, do your best to determine EXACTLY what you are responding to. Hover your mouse over websites and links and ensure they are what they say they are. If it's a well known brand or site, go directly to the site and do whatever business you need to from there. If there are grammatical or spelling errors.... well no well run business is going to send a letter or communication enmass that says "your accounts are tampered. Please click here to update". Bottom line, if it's too good to be true it's not.
Nim

 

[Stephen D]

Yeah, probably a scam.

You could try and get their "cashiers check" and actually deposit it (I would set up another account specifically for this). Once it clears (if it does), take out all of the funds. If you actually get the funds, then no problem..... they can come for the tractor.

Just don't give them any personal info, just public record stuff like address and phone number. Definitely no account numbers etc....

Dumb idea. Although your bank will clear the check, and give you cash in hand you'll find out in around thirty days that the check was fraudulent. At that point your bank will want their money back plus penalties, there may be legal ramifications, and although you say you're pretty scam savvy I'm dubious because this one stinks to high heaven.
It can also be a bot scam to harvest additional info about to sell.
Be smart. Don't even reply.

 

[Handloader109]

I bought last car from dealership in MO, 2 hours from me here in AR. Cashier's check, and I had to email them pictures of check the day prior. But this is a dealer, who had my DL , my address and the funds to find and repo and prosecute me if I stole it, and title took a month to get to me.
There are a bunch of scams out there, and they all aren't long distance Nigerian princesses running them.
You old folks watch out for the phone call from a distant grandchild who has been arrested and is needing gift cards (or cash) given to a supposed friend to bail them out. When they say don't call and tell my dad or mother, you will KNOW it is a scam.

 

[TimberFarm]

Go to the buyers bank with the buyer. Let them get the cashiers check. The bank won't give them a cashiers check if there isn't the funds in their account right there on the spot.

 

[walnutman]

SCAM

 

[JBacon52]

As if you haven't heard yet,,,,, RUN, Run like the wind. Totally a scam!!!

 

[Pecosbill7]

DO NOT listen to anyone on here who tells you, “this might be for real” or “take the check, let it clear, it might be legit.” There is NO statute of limitations on a fraudulent check. Even if it clears and you get the cash, once the bank discovers that it’s bogus they will come to you for reimbursement and you WILL be on the hook. Also, the idea that he’s going to send you a little extra just to delist it is lunacy. A legitimate buyer will establish a true line of communication with you (most likely giving you his cell number) and will also try to bargain you down. People just don’t give money away for no reason. This is outright fraud waiting to happen. These scammers should be hung from a wall in chains and have their toenails ripped out. They are the scum of the earth. How on earth anyone is gullible enough to allow their scams to work is truly amazing. Remember two things : (1) if it’s too good to be true, it usually isn’t. (2) a fool and his money (or in this case his tractor) are soon parted.

 

[dogvan]

I just posted my B2710 on Craigslist. Got the following response:

"From: Andy R Smith
Sat 2/25/2023 9:25 PM
I really appreciate your response.
The first email was addressed to my cousin, who assisted me in contacting the seller because I'm new to Craigslist.
I've been working incredibly long weeks so I won't be able to meet with you before buying, but I'm fine with the price and condition as they are listed on Craigslist. I'll go ahead and issue you a Cashier's Check, and when you have the money and it clears, I'll make plans for pickup.
Please respond as soon as possible with the information provided.
Full name
address, city state and zip code
Your mobile number:
Last price:
As soon as this is given, payment will be delivered overnight to you via UPS Next Day Delivery, and I will give you the package's tracking number.
Please remove the ad from Craigslist or label it as sold today. I will also add an extra $70 to deter other purchasers until you receive my check.
Thank you, and while we wait for your response, I hope we treat this with good faith. "

Not sure this is a "good faith offer." I responded that I would not sell untill the buyer inspected the tractor and I inspected the buyer. BTW the deposit-to-hold I listed in the add was $100. I priced the tractor, 2004 with 1040 hours, new rear tires and rear hydraulics at $9000 - I think that's a fair price. I'm pretty scam alert - what's others' opinions?

MF

That scam is at least as old as Craigslist. I receive a version of that offer virtually every time I post an ad on Craigslist.

 

[gckshea]

I just posted my B2710 on Craigslist. Got the following response:

"From: Andy R Smith
Sat 2/25/2023 9:25 PM
I really appreciate your response.
The first email was addressed to my cousin, who assisted me in contacting the seller because I'm new to Craigslist.
I've been working incredibly long weeks so I won't be able to meet with you before buying, but I'm fine with the price and condition as they are listed on Craigslist. I'll go ahead and issue you a Cashier's Check, and when you have the money and it clears, I'll make plans for pickup.
Please respond as soon as possible with the information provided.
Full name
address, city state and zip code
Your mobile number:
Last price:
As soon as this is given, payment will be delivered overnight to you via UPS Next Day Delivery, and I will give you the package's tracking number.
Please remove the ad from Craigslist or label it as sold today. I will also add an extra $70 to deter other purchasers until you receive my check.
Thank you, and while we wait for your response, I hope we treat this with good faith. "

Not sure this is a "good faith offer." I responded that I would not sell untill the buyer inspected the tractor and I inspected the buyer. BTW the deposit-to-hold I listed in the add was $100. I priced the tractor, 2004 with 1040 hours, new rear tires and rear hydraulics at $9000 - I think that's a fair price. I'm pretty scam alert - what's others' opinions?

MF

RUN!! This is Scam City 2023.

 

[superbird6693]

Not sure if it was mentioned but beware of the “I need you to confirm your info and post” link scam as well. Just got another one for a snow plow I’m trying to sell. All they are trying to do is farm info from people. Also never text or call from your personal number. If you are unsure of a message that asks to text them use an app that allows you to use a different number. Most of them are free you just have to deal with the occasional ad. I belong to a scam awareness page and it’s crazy the types of scams that are out there now. It sickens me that people can be ok just stealing from people.

 

[organicfarmer1972]

I just posted my B2710 on Craigslist. Got the following response:

"From: Andy R Smith
Sat 2/25/2023 9:25 PM
I really appreciate your response.
The first email was addressed to my cousin, who assisted me in contacting the seller because I'm new to Craigslist.
I've been working incredibly long weeks so I won't be able to meet with you before buying, but I'm fine with the price and condition as they are listed on Craigslist. I'll go ahead and issue you a Cashier's Check, and when you have the money and it clears, I'll make plans for pickup.
Please respond as soon as possible with the information provided.
Full name
address, city state and zip code
Your mobile number:
Last price:
As soon as this is given, payment will be delivered overnight to you via UPS Next Day Delivery, and I will give you the package's tracking number.
Please remove the ad from Craigslist or label it as sold today. I will also add an extra $70 to deter other purchasers until you receive my check.
Thank you, and while we wait for your response, I hope we treat this with good faith. "

Not sure this is a "good faith offer." I responded that I would not sell untill the buyer inspected the tractor and I inspected the buyer. BTW the deposit-to-hold I listed in the add was $100. I priced the tractor, 2004 with 1040 hours, new rear tires and rear hydraulics at $9000 - I think that's a fair price. I'm pretty scam alert - what's others' opinions?

MF

DEFINITE SCAM !

I'm a retired police officer and have seen this scam several times. Sadly, people have lost money. The bank will take the cashier's check because it looks real, but will take back the money after they determine it's fake. It may take a week, or even longer, but they will get their money back.

I placed an ad in CL to sell a vehicle and had this tried on me. I told them to send the check and have their "driver" meet me at work. I think I got about four checks (used them as props when teaching fraud at the academy) and gave the PD headquarters as my work address. Surprisingly, no one ever showed up to claim the vehicle.

 

[northcreek2624]

SCAM,SCAM,SCAM,...STAY AWAY FROM THIS !!

 

[CE2]

Yes it’s a SCAM. This is a link to a website that is dedicated to “Scamming the Scammers “

The link is to a thread about a craigslist scam. A lot of the members of this forum are pretty good at scamming the scammers.

forum.419eater.com :: View topic - Sent Money

A 419Eater member wrote: So it's taken me awhile and I must admit the reason why is because why this was all being investigated I was honestly embarrassed to tell my story. But, I think it's only righ....<snip>

forum.419eater.com

 

[Bobrown14]

My reply would be bring cash money when you come to pick it up. That is if it does not sell in the meantime.

This cash wins the deal. I'll hold for 100$ via paypal, google wallet etc when I have the cash I'll hold it for you and bring cash to purchase.

I bought my big tractor online thru a reputable dealership that was 1/2 way across the country and had it shipped to me sight unseen. Was a wire transfer of cash before pickup.

 

[CasualObserver]

It's a scam. Accepting and depositing bad cashiers checks can actually get you in trouble with the banking industry. They have their equivalent of the credit card bureaus. If you get black listed with banking, you will not be able to open / maintain a bank account basically anywhere. Doing it once you will just lose the money. But doing it multiple times and you run the real risk of getting black listed.

Years ago I had just started my business. I had a mail order customer send me a $1200 cashiers check. I deposited it and mailed out the product. 13 months later my bank reversed the check and took the funds out of my account. I was lucky because one of my clients was another bank. I contacted their backend security officer and asked what the regulations were as to timing for it. At the time banks had a maximum of 12 months to reverse charges on a check. Notified my bank that I knew the maximum period involved and they gave me back the money. I have never accepted checks again if I do not know the person involved.

Also when they send you the check overnight it is using a stolen / compromised UPS / FedEX account. The scammers never have their own money at risk. They use mules in the USA that think they are "working from home" to process the "payments" and act as money handlers. Those mules eventually get burned as they never get paid either. There are plenty of YouTube videos documenting how the entire process works. If you think for one second that this is legit, then spend some time educating yourself before you get burned too.

 

[Mudfarmer]

I want to thank MapleLeafFarmer for this response to my original post. The tractor is sold. I followed his advice. The purchaser got a Cashier's check from his local Key Bank. He sent me a photo of the check and his receipt. I googled the bank and gave them a call. I was surprised that they were very willing to look up the check, verify it, and confirm that it had not yet been cashed. The money is now in my bank account.

In Canada at least, a cashier's check is a check guaranteed by the bank and drawn on the banks own funds to you (not buyers funds). So ask buyer to send you a picture of the bank draft. It will have Banks name, address, and its serial NUMBER, etc..... If the Bank draft is drawn on a recognizable American based Bank (not something like bank of hong kong or bank of malaysia which you cannot check on) you can simply phone the Bank to ensure that the bank draft number is legit and funds are truly in the Banks hands. Better yet the local branch in person.

If dealing with a recognizable bank with local offices (BOA, Wells, etc...) and bank can confirm THEY issued the draft you are safe. Would never touch it if cannot verify with local branch so buyer has to provide on appropriate bank. If bank is forgeign and check cannot be made then scam for sure.

I have done this many many times as some of my old stuff gets sold to people too far away to inspect but unique enough they are willing to trust and take a chance.

For sure 100% right to be worried just do your due diligence with the issuing bank. Now if paypal, private cheque, Vemo, etc... wouldn't touch it with a 10'pole.

Cashiers cheques on legit Banks that have a local branch near you that can be independently confirmed by you in person should be fine. Like 2 step verification.

 

[BrkMstr]

I just posted my B2710 on Craigslist. Got the following response:

"From: Andy R Smith
Sat 2/25/2023 9:25 PM
I really appreciate your response.
The first email was addressed to my cousin, who assisted me in contacting the seller because I'm new to Craigslist.
I've been working incredibly long weeks so I won't be able to meet with you before buying, but I'm fine with the price and condition as they are listed on Craigslist. I'll go ahead and issue you a Cashier's Check, and when you have the money and it clears, I'll make plans for pickup.
Please respond as soon as possible with the information provided.
Full name
address, city state and zip code
Your mobile number:
Last price:
As soon as this is given, payment will be delivered overnight to you via UPS Next Day Delivery, and I will give you the package's tracking number.
Please remove the ad from Craigslist or label it as sold today. I will also add an extra $70 to deter other purchasers until you receive my check.
Thank you, and while we wait for your response, I hope we treat this with good faith. "

Not sure this is a "good faith offer." I responded that I would not sell untill the buyer inspected the tractor and I inspected the buyer. BTW the deposit-to-hold I listed in the add was $100. I priced the tractor, 2004 with 1040 hours, new rear tires and rear hydraulics at $9000 - I think that's a fair price. I'm pretty scam alert - what's others' opinions?

MF

When I listed my tractor on Craigslist Aug 2021, I received four of those, "can't make it but will take it" offers, did not answer any of them, they are scams, they have been around for a long time and I'm sure they will continue to try and steal all they can. If you had answered and gone along with them, it would have ended with a bad check, money order, or they would have asked you for your account to deposit funds in etc etc etc, most of those scum bags have done it for a long time and are skilled in gaining your trust, you were smart not to get involved......... How do I know, retired LEO, criminal investigations - unfortunately I've investigated way to many scams, precntage of loss is high as the scamers leave no trace with todays technology.....

 

[klm]

Ask them where the tractor is located and when they reply whereever (usually far away) tell them your cousin who is a deputy sheriff in that county will stop by and check it out for you. I have done this several times and never here from them again.

 

[jgmo]

I wouldn't touch what this dude is SELLING with a ten foot anything!
New to Craigslist????
WHAT? You just heard from the only guy in America that is new to Craigslist??
I don't think so!

Good tractor, good price, it will sell without the drama and worries this guy is offering you.
Craigslist is a CASH AND CARRY medium and EVERYBODY knows it!
Good luck with your sale.

 

[macdoesit]

All the person is asking for is your name, address, phone number. You ask for 100 deposit, he will send 70. He also will send CC for you to cash and have the money in hand. what is the problem. Take CC to bank, ask bank to check that CC is good before depositing. I have sold MC this way with no problems. His wording does sound weird.