scam!

D

drlapo

Hooligan
so how does this scam work?
I have a bike for sale on Craig's list
I've been contacted, via text, by 3 people, all from Baltimore MD.
all 3 are in the military and are currently deployed. they have no access to a phone or to their bank accounts but do have a computer and want to pay via PayPal.
they will pay my asking price and will send someone to pick up the bike after payment has cleared
all they ask for is my PayPal account email, name and address
I thought PayPal was secure but this is obviously a scam
 
2

2wheelsdown

Scooter
Could they just be trying to get the address where the bike is located in order to steal it? PayPal is normally pretty legit.
 
bluesforchallah

bluesforchallah

Rocker
2wheelsdown said:
Could they just be trying to get the address where the bike is located in order to steal it? PayPal is normally pretty legit.
Click to expand...

Unless with those three pieces of information it gives them a good start to go fishing with PayPal customer care. When I worked customer care for one of the major cellular companies, we'd get all sorts of calls where people would call in with little to no information trying to access customer accounts. It just takes that one care rep or a few who either aren't very sharp or just doesn't care and reveal just enough information to the scammer so they sound that much more convincing to the next representative; and before you know it, they've got full access to your account.

It does sound fishy to me.

When I sold my '75 Honda CB400/4, the buyer was in San Francisco and I was in Seattle. This was before I used PayPal, I advised the buyer that he would have to send me a check for the full amount, wait for the check to clear, then he would be responsible for arranging for pick up and shipping the bike to San Fran; but the check would need to clear before I gave my address and any arrangements could be made. Turns out the buyer was Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day, but still, I wasn't going to relinquish the bike until that check had cleared.
 
Last edited:
tooblekain

tooblekain

750cc
Its totally a scam.

For serious sales I respond only to phone calls. Or I establish a line of communication first that starts with email or text and then leads to phone call. If it can't go beyond that, I know immediately it's a scam or shady.

Plus, if they are deployed, they can't buy a car sight unseen at a dealership. Even if someone is pre-approved at a bank, their credit is still ran and they need to be physically present.

Treat it the same way. Actual buyer present. You are the seller. They need to do it under your terms.
 
beemerrich

beemerrich

Street Tracker
Let the seller know you'll accept a cash payment from the person picking up the bike. No need to fund via paypal for a bike that will be picked up in person.

FWIW, I only let Craigslist folks pick things up here at work to avoid having them showing up at my home...or I arrange for them to meet me at a jobsite or some other convenient location. Cash in hand.

Regards,

--Rich
 
D9

D9

Vendor
Mother*ucking scammers... that sounds like a more recent twist on
the dirty & low down... and it would be an easy one to fall for.
I like the advice I'm reading... if it's being picked up in person, it's
CASH on the barrel-head, son.
 
champ7fc

champ7fc

Scooter
I do not know where you are in Eastern CT, I plan to sell one of my bikes soon and I will insist that the deal be done in cash in the parking lot of the nearby CT State Police Troop. Should be a relatively safe location and it will deter anyone with less than honorable motives. Craig
 
D

drlapo

Hooligan
I don't think that the scammers will go so far as to come to CT to pick up the bike.
I think this is some way to gain access to my PayPal account, credit card info and bank info. I just don't know how they do it
 
Flaco

Flaco

750cc
Bait and switch, a scam just like BackPage...
I replied to an escort ad on BackPage and she agreed to meet me at my hotel room...
She showed up to my door and she didn't look like anything like her add photo's!
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
It was my WIFE!:eeek::hj::lol:
A sucker is born every minute...
(no pun intended)
 
TriumphLance

TriumphLance

Scooter
Flaco said:
Bait and switch, a scam just like BackPage...
I replied to an escort ad on BackPage and she agreed to meet me at my hotel room...
She showed up to my door and she didn't look like anything like her add photo's!
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
It was my WIFE!:eeek::hj::lol:
A sucker is born every minute...
(no pun intended)
Click to expand...

:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:
 
B

Baltobonneville

750cc
drlapo said:
so how does this scam work?
I have a bike for sale on Craig's list
I've been contacted, via text, by 3 people, all from Baltimore MD.
all 3 are in the military and are currently deployed. they have no access to a phone or to their bank accounts but do have a computer and want to pay via PayPal.
they will pay my asking price and will send someone to pick up the bike after payment has cleared
all they ask for is my PayPal account email, name and address
I thought PayPal was secure but this is obviously a scam
Click to expand...

all from Baltimore MD. :lol3:

That's all you need to know. I'll keep an eye out for your bike. :loser:
 
S

simpson

TT Racer
Do not use Paypal if you can avoid it. The buyer can claim that you never delivered the bike and you will be out of the money and the bike.

Paypal sucks. (unless you are an honest buyer)

-Simpson
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top