Feb 3, 2012
How to spot the Craigslist scam
1) If you're suspicious, there's a reason. Trust your instincts.
2) Poor English. Typing in shorthand is one thing, but if your buyer seems barely able to put a sentence together, run!
3) The buyer is "away". He/she is "overseas" "at sea" "out of town on business". If your buyer is currently not where they claim to live, be highly suspicious.
4) Unable to use a phone. If your buyer claims to be unable to make contact with you via phone (they claim to be deaf or at some remote outpost like an oil rig, ship, etc.) be highly suspicious.
5) They offer more than the selling price. If your buyer offers to send you more than the selling price to cover shipping or as "a gift to you", run!
6) Insisting on PayPal or Western Union. If your buyer insists that the transaction be done with PayPal but they need your info first, or if they insist on some kind of return via Western Union, run!