Just had someone try and scam me out of my Camaro...

[RubberChicken]

My Camaro is up for sale on Craigslist. I love the car, don't get me wrong, but the wife and I are trying to buy a house and getting back that monthly payment would help. As soon as I put the car up, I get a text from a 720 area code (Central Colorado). I'm in Texas, so it's not like it's real close.

Anyway he asked a few questions, like if it was still in good condition (this was my first red flag. It says right on the ad that the car is in excellent condition) and if it was still for sale. He then asked me if I had a PayPal account set up (I do, but I told him I didn't). I had read just last week that someone right on these forums tried to send a fake PayPal receipt to them to have their car shipped.

I told the guy no, I didn't have a PayPal account. He told me he preferred to use it because it was secure and sent a couple more texts trying to convince me to set one up (second red flag). I told him that's all well and good but I'd rather stick to cash or a cashier's check. And then he dropped off the face of the Earth. He's not responding anymore and I doubt I'll hear from him again. And you know what, he may genuinely have wanted to use PayPal as a means to pay, but I just had a bad feeling the whole time. I'm wondering if anyone else has used PayPal for something like this or if you prefer cash/cashier's checks as well?

[Evergreen6]

I'd definitely advise against posting your cell or even home number on Craigslist. Plenty of bots out there that will pick up the number and you'll get sales calls as a result. And probably a lot of calls from Autotrader ad sales reps, car buying services, and other people.

Use the Craigslist email relay feature (this protects your email address as well) and only give out your number to people that you've validated to be local and (not) scammers.

[homewrecker]

Trust your instincts and unfortunately this is now a world that we live in. Glad that you didn't get scammed.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk

[pickwithaustin]

Any Craig's List ad you place is going to generate a lot of scam attempts. That's just the nature of Craig's List. Never accept PayPal for something that large - the PP fee's alone will kill you.

CASH ONLY... in person only.
I even do it the other way around. I bought a 1968 El Camino a few months ago from a gentleman who lives across town (about a 30 minute drive). I went a few times looking at the car before I decided to go ahead and purchase. I then had him drive it up to my bank, where we met. I borrowed an office from my banker and sat down with the guy, did the paperwork (title, required TX forms for registration, etc.) and then I counted him out the cash. He followed me from there to my home where we left the car and I drove him back home in one of my daily driver vehicles.

IN PERSON
IN CASH

I don't give my phone number out on Craig's List either.

[Rock-It Man]

People do not commonly use PayPal for big ticket items like cars. Be wary of anyone who offers to bump up the price to cover your PayPal fee.

In person is the way to go for car sales...if not cash then meet the buyer at their bank and have the check drawn in your presence. Lots of fake bank checks out there.

[Angrybird 12]

I only sell local when I am trying to sell a car. Local ads only if I use an ad at all.
Most if the time I can park it in my front yard with a for sale sign on it and be sold in just a few days.

[squat]

My favorite are the autotrader sales of cars that are 5-10k less than they should be. They're always listed as being in some rural zip code. By chance a few years ago one of them was near me. I emailed and emailed them to see if I could come see the car. No replies.

They're hoping to get someone eager to send them money for a 'great deal' on the car (which doesn't exist).

[Need4speed_motorsports]

Good call, I would never make an exchange with a person that does not adhere to my contingencies, nice catch.

[LIM3]

That's a common scam on CL.

[Alfieboy]

never accept paypal for a car or high priced item...trust me..I got screwed..paypal still "thinks" I owe them 3500..lol..not in this day.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by squat

My favorite are the autotrader sales of cars that are 5-10k less than they should be. They're always listed as being in some rural zip code. By chance a few years ago one of them was near me. I emailed and emailed them to see if I could come see the car. No replies.

They're hoping to get someone eager to send them money for a 'great deal' on the car (which doesn't exist).

I saw a car just recently on EBay like one I owned back in the 70's and the sellers location was my town. I sent him a message asking if I could come inspect the car before placing a bid, mainly because some of the pictures did not match his description. He never contacted me back and his car did not sell for his reserve.

[MLAZ1990]

I wouldn't trust paypal offers. I prefer cash and cash only! Seen too many members on here get screwed by some scumbag!

[No Excuses]

I sold a car on craigslist had a guy come look at it and wanted to buy it instantly. He gave me cash up front, but for extra security I had him go with me to the bank give me the money and I deposited into my account making sure they werent fake 100's. Can never trust people nowadays.

[mpiersd]

I've googled a bunch of scam stuff and saved the conversations and emails. When I realize I'm being scammed I just start sending their own junk back at them. Funny thing is, half the time they follow along with it, for a little while at least.