Craigslist/Pennysaver warning

Anonymous · 12-07-2007, 07:46 AM

I have some furniture listed for sale on craigslist. I received an email from a guy saying he was out of town on assignment and wanted to send me a money order and have someone pick it up at a later date. The guy wanted my name, address, phone number, and cell phone number. I told him I take cash only and never heard from him again until I reposted the items. He sent the same email. I just deleted it.

Well, this week I put an ad in the Pennysaver and some local newspapers as well. Last night at 11 pm, I received a phone call to the number I had listed from an IP relay operator. This is a service normally used by hearing/speech impaired people where they communicate to an operator by computer and she types your responses to the caller. Well, I gave the guy my email address, thinking the poor guy, I'm trying to help him out. It just seemed really odd to me though, so I googled the number., 216-416-0033. I found all types of info about people using these IP relays as a scam. Well sure enough, I get the same type of email from the guy saying he is going to send me a check for over the amount asking and wanted all of my personal information. I called the company that proves the IP relay service and they are aware their service is used for fraud, probably now more so than helping the handicapped. She said most of the fraudulant calls are coming from outside the US, they send you bogus money orders or checks for above the selling price, then asking you to return the difference to them in cash. Obviously, I wasn't going to fall for this, but I'm sure there are people that do or else these jerks would stop doing this type of thing.

Anyway, just thought I'd post this for anyone selling something on craigslist or even their local paper.

Regina · 12-07-2007, 08:12 AM

Yes, I have heard of this. I think there is a warning on Craig's list about it. A lot of elderly people get scammed. I guesss the moral of the story is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

TheWife · 12-07-2007, 09:42 AM

If I was the President...I would send all the mean scammers and other such annoying and criminal people, to one small country where they couldn't leave, and didn't have cell phones or internet access!!!

Anonymous · 12-07-2007, 01:34 PM

I saw the warnings on craigslist, that's why I never responded to the nut that thought I was gonna send him all my personal info! But I never would have thought someone would pretend to be handicapped and go to all the trouble to use IP relay to try to scam me from a newspaper ad. So if you are selling something, and get a call like that, I'd suggest to just hang up! Unless you know someone that is hearing/ speech impaired, I'd say the odds are more likely that is a scam not an actual handicapped person. Learned my lesson.

That's funny about the separate country! Have the scammer type criminals in one section, the murderers and rapists in another, the thieves in another, let them all live with their own type and have at it!

By the way, I ended up selling the furniture to a church for a lounge area in their basement. It's nice furniture so I'm glad it's going to a good "home".

Kristie · 12-07-2007, 06:45 PM

Wow! that's amazing....

Thanks for the heads up!

Question tho... why anonymous? it's not really needed is it? you didn't do anything wrong....

Bigsweetie · 12-09-2007, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristie

Question tho... why anonymous? it's not really needed is it? you didn't do anything wrong....

That's what I thought!!

There's been a lot of anonymous posting lately. I don't have a problem with it as people have different comfort levels on hot topics, but it seems it's being used on posts that, IMO, don't really need it. I don't get it. Oh well.

ETA: It's gotten so bad that I rarely respond to "Anonymous" posts anymore unless they seem to be of a sensative topic that I feel warrants anonymous posting. I don't always understand the reasoning behind all the anonymous posting, but I guess people have their reasons for it. I just think it's abused sometimes too.

flyershoe · 12-11-2007, 12:46 PM

Ditto on the anonymous posting.

Anyway, I had a similar scam pulled on me when I was trying to sell a car a while ago... the car was listed on autotrader and the person (Uche Chima, I'll never forget his name!) claimed to be from London and wanted to buy the car for the "motherless baby home." Trying the sympathy trick, ya know. Was going to buy it sight-unseen and of course the scam is to have you forward the balance to a 3rd party. (Actually first he tried to get me to just GIVE him my bank account # and account information!!) Well, I knew he was full of crap and had the most wonderful time scam-baiting him!! If you've never seen this site, go to Welcome to the 419 Eater ... it's hysterical. His English wasn't very good, so I had a great time with it...

Here's one of the emails that I sent him:
Hi Uche

Viruses are no fun, are they? My computer came down with a nasty case of Mononucleosis a few weeks ago. Norton can't do anything to help that, you know! Luckily, it can't be transferred to humans or I would be in an even worse state than I am in now.

I emailed Mr. Brown yesterday, but I have not heard from him yet. I hope that all is well with him. I know that children sometimes turn into flesh-eating bacteria when you're not looking!

My hospital stay was unpleasant at the least, but I am out now. I returned to work yesterday but was running to and from the bathroom all day. I was confined to the bathroom stall for several hours and one time I didn't quite make it. Not fun. Last night I bathed in margaritas and I feel much better today, I am happy to report. I no longer think that I will die. So when can I come visit? My bags are packed and I'm ready to go! I will have to take my zoo with me, I hope that won't be a problem. There should be plenty of room for my ferrets, monkeys and llama. They could room with the children, I suppose... especially the monkeys. Their names are Rabies and Lice, named of course for what they carry. But don't let that bother you!

Do you have a tracking number for the check that you sent me? Which address did you send it to, my home or work address? You know I have to tie my neighbors up and leave them in the trunk of my car for a few days to make sure that they won't come near my mailbox. If you sent them to my work address, I'll leave them alone.

Hope that you're having a good week!

XOXO,
Jen

If you want to read the entire exchange, I have everything posted on my old blog: Lauren's inane ramblings

Sorry for the slight hijack... I just wish that I had more time to do those kinds of things.

trigeek · 12-13-2007, 10:48 PM

Haha,

I love those 419 baiter pages. Good job!

-Lauren

12-07-2007, 07:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
Anonymous Jetgirls Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 243 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Craigslist/Pennysaver warning I have some furniture listed for sale on craigslist. I received an email from a guy saying he was out of town on assignment and wanted to send me a money order and have someone pick it up at a later date. The guy wanted my name, address, phone number, and cell phone number. I told him I take cash only and never heard from him again until I reposted the items. He sent the same email. I just deleted it. Well, this week I put an ad in the Pennysaver and some local newspapers as well. Last night at 11 pm, I received a phone call to the number I had listed from an IP relay operator. This is a service normally used by hearing/speech impaired people where they communicate to an operator by computer and she types your responses to the caller. Well, I gave the guy my email address, thinking the poor guy, I'm trying to help him out. It just seemed really odd to me though, so I googled the number., 216-416-0033. I found all types of info about people using these IP relays as a scam. Well sure enough, I get the same type of email from the guy saying he is going to send me a check for over the amount asking and wanted all of my personal information. I called the company that proves the IP relay service and they are aware their service is used for fraud, probably now more so than helping the handicapped. She said most of the fraudulant calls are coming from outside the US, they send you bogus money orders or checks for above the selling price, then asking you to return the difference to them in cash. Obviously, I wasn't going to fall for this, but I'm sure there are people that do or else these jerks would stop doing this type of thing. Anyway, just thought I'd post this for anyone selling something on craigslist or even their local paper.

12-07-2007, 08:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
Regina Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Southern state Posts: 1,008 Recipes: Thanks: 7 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Craigslist/Pennysaver warning Yes, I have heard of this. I think there is a warning on Craig's list about it. A lot of elderly people get scammed. I guesss the moral of the story is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

12-07-2007, 09:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
TheWife Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Utah Posts: 1,264 Recipes: Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Craigslist/Pennysaver warning If I was the President...I would send all the mean scammers and other such annoying and criminal people, to one small country where they couldn't leave, and didn't have cell phones or internet access!!! __________________ Michelle~Wife to Corbin 09/09/1999 and Mom to Caleb 05/18/02~Kyla 01/03/05~Bryton 02/03/08

12-07-2007, 01:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Anonymous Jetgirls Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 243 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Craigslist/Pennysaver warning I saw the warnings on craigslist, that's why I never responded to the nut that thought I was gonna send him all my personal info! But I never would have thought someone would pretend to be handicapped and go to all the trouble to use IP relay to try to scam me from a newspaper ad. So if you are selling something, and get a call like that, I'd suggest to just hang up! Unless you know someone that is hearing/ speech impaired, I'd say the odds are more likely that is a scam not an actual handicapped person. Learned my lesson. That's funny about the separate country! Have the scammer type criminals in one section, the murderers and rapists in another, the thieves in another, let them all live with their own type and have at it! By the way, I ended up selling the furniture to a church for a lounge area in their basement. It's nice furniture so I'm glad it's going to a good "home".

12-07-2007, 06:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kristie Admin/Owner Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 6,648 Recipes: Thanks: 7 Thanked 17 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Craigslist/Pennysaver warning Wow! that's amazing.... Thanks for the heads up! Question tho... why anonymous? it's not really needed is it? you didn't do anything wrong.... __________________ www.jetcareers.com

12-11-2007, 12:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
flyershoe Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Odenton, MD Posts: 822 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Craigslist/Pennysaver warning Ditto on the anonymous posting. Anyway, I had a similar scam pulled on me when I was trying to sell a car a while ago... the car was listed on autotrader and the person (Uche Chima, I'll never forget his name!) claimed to be from London and wanted to buy the car for the "motherless baby home." Trying the sympathy trick, ya know. Was going to buy it sight-unseen and of course the scam is to have you forward the balance to a 3rd party. (Actually first he tried to get me to just GIVE him my bank account # and account information!!) Well, I knew he was full of crap and had the most wonderful time scam-baiting him!! If you've never seen this site, go to Welcome to the 419 Eater ... it's hysterical. His English wasn't very good, so I had a great time with it... Here's one of the emails that I sent him: Hi Uche Viruses are no fun, are they? My computer came down with a nasty case of Mononucleosis a few weeks ago. Norton can't do anything to help that, you know! Luckily, it can't be transferred to humans or I would be in an even worse state than I am in now. I emailed Mr. Brown yesterday, but I have not heard from him yet. I hope that all is well with him. I know that children sometimes turn into flesh-eating bacteria when you're not looking! My hospital stay was unpleasant at the least, but I am out now. I returned to work yesterday but was running to and from the bathroom all day. I was confined to the bathroom stall for several hours and one time I didn't quite make it. Not fun. Last night I bathed in margaritas and I feel much better today, I am happy to report. I no longer think that I will die. So when can I come visit? My bags are packed and I'm ready to go! I will have to take my zoo with me, I hope that won't be a problem. There should be plenty of room for my ferrets, monkeys and llama. They could room with the children, I suppose... especially the monkeys. Their names are Rabies and Lice, named of course for what they carry. But don't let that bother you! Do you have a tracking number for the check that you sent me? Which address did you send it to, my home or work address? You know I have to tie my neighbors up and leave them in the trunk of my car for a few days to make sure that they won't come near my mailbox. If you sent them to my work address, I'll leave them alone. Hope that you're having a good week! XOXO, Jen If you want to read the entire exchange, I have everything posted on my old blog: Lauren's inane ramblings Sorry for the slight hijack... I just wish that I had more time to do those kinds of things. __________________ Lauren's 101 in 1001 Lauren's Myspace Page

12-13-2007, 10:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
trigeek Jetgirls Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 172 Recipes: Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Craigslist/Pennysaver warning Haha, I love those 419 baiter pages. Good job! -Lauren __________________ Lauren claims no truth, sanity, or fact checking in this post. It was probably posted late in the evening under conditions of heavy drinking or heavy eyelids while DH was away.

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