How close did we come to getting scammed (Craig: credit card, loan)

[ChrisFromChicago]

Im' trying to sell a Basinett on Craigslist. It had been out there for some time.. so we were surprised when we got an offer near asking price.

So my wife was home alone and the woman shows up. She says she likes it but only can pay with a $100 bill or check.

So my wife calls me, asks about change. My brother and I talk about it and ask "WTF brings a $100 to buy a 35 basinett?"

My wife tried chitchat "oh you just had a baby" (they said that in email) "boy or girl"
the response "does it matter?"

We tell my wife to send them to Wal-Mart (nearbye) and get change. We don't accept checks. The person walks around outside for about 10 minutes, before leaving in a car (that my wife notices is a loaner from a car dealership).

So my wife was pretty shaken up about that one. bogus $100 bill? Or are we too skeptical of our fellow man

The woman never returned; never called back

[SkyDog77]

Wierd. It seems like there would be easier ways to pass fake bills than driving around to people's houses but that does sound very sketchy. You guys defintiely did the right thing.

[flyonpa]

1. Never have them come you your home. Meet in public place. (Parking lot at police station would be good)
2. Buy one of the Bill Pens.
3. Exact Change (Bills). No Checks, or Money orders.

Odds of getting scammed 99.99999999999999% on this.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by flyonpa

1. Never have them come you your home. Meet in public place. (Parking lot at police station would be good)
2. Buy one of the Bill Pens.
3. Exact Change (Bills). No Checks, or Money orders.

Odds of getting scammed 99.99999999999999% on this.

The bill pens are defeatable by anyone with half a brain.

Midwest Fraud Prevention - Counterfeit Detection Units

[ChrisFromChicago]

From now on, I only accept credit cards . . i have that. . whatever its called somewhere

[Teckeeee]

Originally Posted by flyonpa

1. Never have them come you your home. Meet in public place. (Parking lot at police station would be good)
2. Buy one of the Bill Pens.
3. Exact Change (Bills). No Checks, or Money orders.

Odds of getting scammed 99.99999999999999% on this.

Agreed. I had to make a judgement calls 3 years ago. We sold my elderly Mom's car guy shows up a bit strange with $3k in cash and I am holding them up to the light up a public street in the daytime and the credit union took them, but yes I would get the pen in future.

[Teckeeee]

I have seen and read the most common is turning a $5 into something else $20 or $100.

[Snikt]

Craigslist seems to bring the creepers and scammers out of hiding for some reason

[Teckeeee]

Originally Posted by Snikt

Craigslist seems to bring the creepers and scammers out of hiding for some reason

Because they don't police their own website it's the wild west. They only reacted after women were raped and killed by criminals using CL

[Mela world]

Wow! That's freakn crazy! Like they say, use Craigslist at ur own risk! Never let them come to ur house wen ur Alone! Always be packed! If u kno what I mean..