PSA: Selling a Car on the Internet Advice
Thread Starter
Runner
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,713
From: Ballwin, MO
PSA: Selling a Car on the Internet Advice
Hi all,
I've had pretty good luck selling stuff (even cars) on Craigslist. I don't know if many of you already do this or not but I figured I would post because if I can help one person, maybe that is enough to help someone not get involved in a scam. I'm selling my car and have it on ebay, CL, etc, and this happens just about every time I post a car on the internet. I get an SMS message from the "buyer" first.
This advice applies to selling everywhere. If you get a text message from a "potential buyer" asking questions, spend a few minutes and just Google the number. Try it in both formats (ex 443-251-0483, or 4432510483) and see what comes up. If you see ANY mention of the word "Spam" or "scam" in the results be safe and assume it isn't legit. If you have facebook you can even sometimes search numbers there to see if its linked to a real person. May seem a little over the top but I feel it pays to be careful.
443-251-0483 is a good example. First results are people complaining about a James Scott. 1 hour later I get a 2nd SMS from a guy asking more questions, introducing himself as James Scott. Its a scammer.
Be safe and be careful. The internet is a great resource but full of people that are trying to take advantage of others.
I've had pretty good luck selling stuff (even cars) on Craigslist. I don't know if many of you already do this or not but I figured I would post because if I can help one person, maybe that is enough to help someone not get involved in a scam. I'm selling my car and have it on ebay, CL, etc, and this happens just about every time I post a car on the internet. I get an SMS message from the "buyer" first.
This advice applies to selling everywhere. If you get a text message from a "potential buyer" asking questions, spend a few minutes and just Google the number. Try it in both formats (ex 443-251-0483, or 4432510483) and see what comes up. If you see ANY mention of the word "Spam" or "scam" in the results be safe and assume it isn't legit. If you have facebook you can even sometimes search numbers there to see if its linked to a real person. May seem a little over the top but I feel it pays to be careful.
443-251-0483 is a good example. First results are people complaining about a James Scott. 1 hour later I get a 2nd SMS from a guy asking more questions, introducing himself as James Scott. Its a scammer.
Be safe and be careful. The internet is a great resource but full of people that are trying to take advantage of others.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,286
Google search of any name and a keywork like "fraud" or "scam"
[I should do my name! = probably finds this...]
Red Flags:
Stilted English, phrases slightly off of what you hear in the USA
All-too-Anglo sounding name like James Scott
Bank Check for excess amount
you send the "extra" back
by WIRE TRANSFER such as Western Union
"Don't you worry about the [shipping, whatever], I/ my agent will take care of that"
I am travelling right now/ on an oil derrick, otherwise unreachable
They cannot specify what the item is exactly you are talking about
If you call it a 443 and mention the Frammis valve, they don't blink an eye
[I should do my name! = probably finds this...]
Red Flags:
Stilted English, phrases slightly off of what you hear in the USA
All-too-Anglo sounding name like James Scott
Bank Check for excess amount
you send the "extra" back
by WIRE TRANSFER such as Western Union
"Don't you worry about the [shipping, whatever], I/ my agent will take care of that"
I am travelling right now/ on an oil derrick, otherwise unreachable
They cannot specify what the item is exactly you are talking about
If you call it a 443 and mention the Frammis valve, they don't blink an eye
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