How Do You Avoid Check Scams When Selling On Craigslist?
Craigslist offers a free and effective way to advertise your furniture, computer and accessories and other items for sale. However, unscrupulous types may stroll Craigslist looking for people to scam with worthless checks. Here are some humble suggestions to avoid being a victim of a check scam. Your advertisment should explicitly and clearly state “CASH ONLY.” This might signal to would be scammers that you do not regard those offering to pay by check as serious purchasers. Be weary of those who quickly say they will purchase, but do not ask to see, your items. Most serious purchasers, such as yourself, want to inspect what you are selling before they part with even a cent. In one type of scam, a “buyer” proposes to send a check to the seller to cover the sale price and delivery expenses. The buyer instructs the seller to cash the check, retain an amount equal to the sales price and then wire or send the rest to either the “buyer” to pay for shipping or to the “shipper” directly. The
