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brk-lnt · 06-15-2015, 04:41 PM

Yes, this is a very common scam.

In various forms the seller sends you a check for the amount requested, or an additional fee for shipping, or in some cases and excessive amount where they tell you to send THEM the item AND a check for the leftover amount. In those cases what they are really after is YOUR check, which is of course valid.

You will often find their wording in emails is vague, things like "Is the item still available?" or "I've been looking for one just like this for some time", eg: never actually referring to the specific thing you're selling but instead using generic terms like "item" or "product".

Basic recommendations for selling things like this are to deal locally only, meetup some place public and so forth. If the transaction is going to involve more than about $100 it's not a bad idea to have a second person come with you, that person drives separately and arrives a few minutes early. They can watch from a short distance and if it looks like things are going south they can call the police or step in. It sounds like overall, but I've known people get jacked over craigslist sales of iPhones or laptops (granted, back in Detroit, not here, but still...).

06-15-2015, 04:41 PM	#8
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,938 Thanks: 533 Thanked 568 Times in 334 Posts	Yes, this is a very common scam. In various forms the seller sends you a check for the amount requested, or an additional fee for shipping, or in some cases and excessive amount where they tell you to send THEM the item AND a check for the leftover amount. In those cases what they are really after is YOUR check, which is of course valid. You will often find their wording in emails is vague, things like "Is the item still available?" or "I've been looking for one just like this for some time", eg: never actually referring to the specific thing you're selling but instead using generic terms like "item" or "product". Basic recommendations for selling things like this are to deal locally only, meetup some place public and so forth. If the transaction is going to involve more than about $100 it's not a bad idea to have a second person come with you, that person drives separately and arrives a few minutes early. They can watch from a short distance and if it looks like things are going south they can call the police or step in. It sounds like overall, but I've known people get jacked over craigslist sales of iPhones or laptops (granted, back in Detroit, not here, but still...). __________________ [insert witty phrase here]