I am selling a phone on craigslist and I got this reply

Quote :

"Thanks for getting back to me, i am located in commerce city in CO,i really need to buy this and send to my son schooling outside the state as a Xmas gift and i will not want to miss out on this opportunity so am making you an offer of $320 to rap the sale off. I will be paying through PAYPAL because i have a verified account with PayPal.So kindly get back with your PayPal email address so i can make payment into your PayPal account.Get back to me if my approval is granted.I would like to see the pictures please. Thanks"

I'm suspicious because I'm in Charleston, and why the heck would someone in CO search the Charleston craigslist and then offer $35 more than I am asking for the phone. And the pictures are on the craigslist page already. But maybe he's just dumb?

PS ... Does anyone want to buy my phone?

http://charleston.craigslist.org/mob/3451067942.html

12/6/2012 2:35:20 PM

yes

12/6/2012 2:35:34 PM

Is it worth the risk to you?

I personally don't reply to anyone on Craigslist who doesn't have proper punctuation.

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

12/6/2012 2:36:25 PM

Yes, with proof..

http://connect.dpreview.com/forums/post/50210437

12/6/2012 2:38:01 PM

Quote :

"...through PAYPAL... ...with PayPal... ... your PayPal.... ... your Paypal..."

12/6/2012 2:38:13 PM

Most likely a scammer, but probably worth the risk if all you are giving him is your e-mail address.

If you are super sketched, set up a new e-mail account and add it to your PayPal. If he is just looking for e-mail addresses to spam, then no harm done.

12/6/2012 2:39:23 PM

Quote :

"Sincerely, Michael Glapion"

12/6/2012 2:39:30 PM

He wants to rap the sale off, I'm pretty sure that means he's legit.

12/6/2012 2:39:31 PM

I just can't see how it would be a paypal scam. How could he get into your paypal account with just your e-mail address?

12/6/2012 2:40:56 PM

No, he could file a claim and probably win. Paypal screws over so many people on claims.

12/6/2012 2:41:31 PM

what kind of claim?

12/6/2012 2:42:10 PM

daaaaaaaaaang! thanks for the link ScubaSteve! OK, that does it then. I thought it would be safe going through paypal, but they talk about how scammers can fake that !

djeternal, here's the explanation

Quote :

"Sure is a scam. He says that: "i really need to buy this and send to my son schooling outside the state as a gift." Which means that he wants you to send to a different address then the address on his account. You as a seller need to make sure that you send it to a verified PayPal address only!!! Otherwise buyer will claim that he never authorized this shipment and that you are in violation of PayPal policies. So whatever you do, DO NOT alternate from this policy. Before sending take pictures of the equipment, or even a short video walk-through of the equipment, in case any claim is made that the equipment is not in good working condition or is damaged."

[Edited on December 6, 2012 at 2:44 PM. Reason : eee]

12/6/2012 2:43:27 PM

1. pay nerdchick for phone
2. receive phone
3. dispute payment and get money back

12/6/2012 2:43:35 PM

Quote :

"He wants you to send to a different address then the address on his account. You as a seller need to make sure that you send it to a verified PayPal address only!!! Otherwise buyer will claim that he never authorized this shipment and that you are in violation of PayPal policies. "

Quote :

"Personal payment as a 'gift' is a sure way to get scammed. You're asked to take payment as a 'gift' because it "will save you the PayPal fees". The payment comes in and you do not notice the warning that payments can be subject to "chargeback" or you ignore it. You send the goods to the VERIFIED address. A few days later the recipient claims the money back on chargeback. You complain to PayPal that you can prove the goods were delivered. PayPal say a gift payment cannot be for goods so refuse your argument. You've been scammed. "

12/6/2012 2:43:40 PM

I'm guessing you don't use Paypal, DJE?

12/6/2012 2:45:30 PM

I do, but only on eBay. Never realized it was this complicated. Nigerians are smart.

[Edited on December 6, 2012 at 2:52 PM. Reason : It actually seems like a pretty good scam. I think I can get my friends with this one.]

12/6/2012 2:51:01 PM