If you are a parent these days, we all know the internet is your babysitter, cook, maid, house finder, gardener child tutor, and basically everything else you need to run the household. And if you use the internet as much as many mothers I know do, you probably also use Craigslist to find what you need around the city. How about those Craigslist’s scams? Yes you know what I’m talking about. They are dirty, rude and just plain annoying. Some tips to protect yourself from the predators of Craigslist.
It’s every day I find myself discovering another con (apparently Nigeria has a lot of missing money) and these scammers are becoming ever more clever. You have to stay one step ahead of the game not to get caught in a not-so-good situation. Here are some scams that have caught my eyes over the years. Beware some of them seem friendly enough.
The Nigerian Scams.
Oh yes you’ve responded to a nice ad advertising a beautiful oak dinner room table for only $150. Convinced this seller is a sincere person in your area simply selling a discounted table, you reply to the ad using your personal email. Almost instantaneously you received a reply similar to this one:
Hello,
Tank you for interest. I live bery far away in Nigeria and cannot take tis table with me. It is in storage in New York. I will shop it to you on demand once I have this information to shop.
1. Address
2. Birth dat
3. Etc
So on and on until they have enough information to basically steal your identity.These silly criminals can usually be exposed from a mile away. The many misspellings and grammar errors to the ever changing story that evolves once you contact them. Spotting these scammers out isn’t usually the problem. The problem was when you first contacted them.
Lesson one in protecting yourself to scammers on Craigslist:
1. Never use a personal email.
If you don’t already have a separate email for online shopping, forums or just in general, get one. Keep your personal information to yourself and only those who you want to have your email. This seems basic enough right? There are two huge reasons why you want to do this:
1. Scammers are sometimes spammers-avoid a future of spam
2. Scammers are also hackers- ever received an email from a friend who swore up and down he didn’t send that email? Hackers will log into your address book and spam your friends. Avoid this.
Wait, what this isn’t Craigslist?
Here is another one of my favorites. You made a simple mistake and typed in a similar domain name and not the real craigslist. Most of these domain names you’ll find nothing more than advertising but a couple of these imposters are phishing scams with layouts that duplicate the real Craigslist to fool you. Always note Craigslist real address is www.craigslist.org. The URL may change to represent the city you are exploring through (example http://losangeles.craigslist.org) but for the most part craigslist.org is where you want to be.
Lesson two in protecting yourself to scammers on Craigslist:
2. It's too good to be true :(
No way $5,500 for a 2009 Dodge Camaro!?!
These are just annoying! Don’t play with my heart like that, darn you scammers! I just hate these and I’ll admit, at first I was drawn into the classified. In my head I thought
Am I dreaming is this possible the car of my dreams for a little over five grand?
Apparently I was having a nightmare and it’s still the car of my dreams (for the time being). Yup another dirty trick brought to you by Craigslist scammers. Don’t fall for it. If it’s too good to be true then, its just that.
Lesson three in protecting yourself to scammers on Craigslist:
3. Don't let your guard down
Want a job? Mail my junk!
These scams are just poor and inconsiderate. They ask for personal information and for a certain amount per week you are suppose to mail their “personal items” from your home. Please don’t fall for this one. Here is a email example to avoid:
Hello
I am glad to hear from you as regards the Business Assistant position. I would love to meet up with you to talk about this job but I am currently away on a business trip but there is a test which i will like you to go through because i need a capable Personal Assistant.I am in Germany so there will be no interview except for the form you will fill below.
1.Have you ever worked as a Personal Assistant ?
2.Can you communicate effective and efficiently?
3.Will you be able to run errands 2 hours per day for and will be needed 3 days per week?
I will prepay you in advance to do my shopping. I will also have my mails and packages forwarded to your address.
If you will be unable to stay at your house to get my mails, I can have it shipped to a post office near you and then you can pick it up at your convenience.When you get my mails/packages; you are required to mail them to where I want them mailed to. You don't have to put money out of you pocket, all you have to do is have packages shipped to your house and do my shopping.
You are allowed to open the packages to know content. The content of the packages are computer and electronics, clothing's business and personal letters.
I will pay $400 per week.I need your service because I am constantly out of town on business as I own a electronics and clothing store in germany,Ireland but want to open another store in USA. I will return to Usa in January next year so this process will be on going till then.
I will email you the list and pictures of what to shop for when I am ready. No heavy packages are involved! You can do the shopping at any nearest stores. You will be shopping for Electronics and clothings.
If I were to mail you money to do my shopping plus upfront payment for your service, where would you want it mailed to? Your full info for Bank Draft,money orders,cashier cheque or cash payment:
Full Name:
Full Address:
(NO P.O.BOX)
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Phone Number:(Cell): Home:
Age:
Email:
Present Job:
Attach a Photo of you:
The address of the nearest Post Office to you for receiving packages:
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Post Code:
Will be expecting to hear from you soon to let me know if you will be willing to handle my business on my behalf before I return.Note that this job is 100% legitimate.You can open all packages to confirm how legit they are.
Thanks so much and have a nice day.
Phill Mark
There are way too many problems with this one to list. For one, don't give out personal information to a stranger. With only your full name, address, and birthday, a good identity thief can steal your identity from right under your nose. Also, note this does not sound like a legit business looking to hire. Personally if you are looking for a job use a verified and secure site specific to this line of business. Classifieds might turn out to be more hassle than necessary.
With so many scams out there, protecting yourself is very important. Here are some resources to continually stay one step ahead. Remember when buying things online always use caution. Unfortunately in our species, bad seeds are planted everywhere. Good luck!
Resources :
http://craigslistscammer.blogspot.com/
http://www.fraudguides.com/internet-craigslist-scams.asp
http://www.wtop.com/?sid=1994355&nid=25
http://craigslistofscammers.com/
http://clscambuster.blogspot.com/
http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/rip-offs/a-craigslist-scam-you-might-fall-for-0/
- Katherine @ Kidscamps.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment