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-North Mo | Kind of figured most everyone was aware of this stunt, yet know a guy who about got took last week so thought I'd mention it for others.
If you should list a horse, car or other large item on craigslist they will call and ask you to hold the item until they have a chance to mail you a check, the check will be for the item plus freight cost. You are to cash the check then they will schedule someone to pick the item up, you are to pay the hauler person at that time. So say they bought a $3,000 car and they live 1000 miles away they may send you a check for $5,000. You cash it into your account, then pay the hauler, 10 days later (the trial is muddy) the check is found no good, they have your item plus $2000 and may only live 100 miles away. Even worse before sending the check they may send other mail (once in a lifetime offers for life insurance, free gifts for surveys) trying to get other personal information, maybe to add to a picture from a Facebook account. They are trying to piece together a puzzle to obtain money, stolen identity or access to accounts.
Talked a guy who deals in old cars, done repeat business with a guy 3 times on the 3rd time he tried it, of course the first 2 cars were going a short distance, the 3rd 1500 miles - the guy actually lived 130 miles away.
Talked to others as to best practice. If you do choose to do business via craiglist with large items, take the check, open a new now account and cash the check, do not correspond for 7-10 days only after checking with your bank as to the status - be sure the check status is complete and final (not pending). All transactions concerning this item comes from this new isolated account. You do not want the check associated with your personal account or ID. Once all goes through, close the account and move the money via cashiers check to your account. Tell them straight up front this is what you are going to do - odds are you will not hear from them again.
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Internet Scammers
