Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report they have received two separate reports of scams from residents attempting to sell items on Craigslist. The Sheriff’s Office says if you use Craigslist to sell products or services, it’s important to be aware of the scams you may encounter along the way.
One of the most common is the Craigslist overpayment scam, which usually involves a cashier’s check or money order sent from the buyer for an amount that exceeds the cost of the item being sold. With this scam, these cashier’s checks and money orders won’t clear, leaving the seller responsible for the amount with the bank.
Once you’re aware of the tactics scammers use, they can be fairly easy to spot. Most conversations will start via email or text message, and include the use of a third-party such as an assistant or shipping agent. The buyers will be willing to pay for an item without first seeing it, and often claim to be unavailable to pick up the item for an extended period of time. After you agree to a price, the scammer attempts to send a money order or cashier’s check through the mail.
Authorities say you shouldn’t proceed any further with the transaction. The best way to avoid an overpayment scam is to conduct business face-to-face. Although not all transactions completed through the mail are scams, it does increase the possibility that something will go wrong.
Other advice includes: Don’t accept cashier’s checks, money orders or personal checks. Stick to cash transactions whenever possible, and never accept an amount over the price; and, Never send money using wire services to someone you don’t know. If you’re asked to cash a check and then send a refund using a money payment service, report the individual to Craigslist and walk away from the transaction.
If you’ve been approached with a possible scam, or have been scammed during a transaction, report it to the Internet Fraud Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission (https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1). You should also contact Craigslist immediately with the details (http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams). If you’ve found the scam in a post, ensure you include the link so it can be taken down.
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