Craigslisters, does this sound fishy?

[ChoralScholar]

I put my extra vehicle up for sale earlier tonight, ( http://fayar.craigslist.org/car/340950174.html) and got this reply:

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hello,
i got your posting on craigslist and i`m intterested in buying....I live in Florida..i will make all necessary arrangement for the pick up as soon as i make the payment...i would like you tto send me the address through which payment can be made to you and where it would be picked up by my agents...i`ll be paying in a cerrtified cashiers check and payment would be make soonest i hear back from you as i`ve fowarded my interest to your posting...
Regards
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I've read about cashier's check scams on Craigslist, so I offered to use PayPal instead... once the funds clear paypal, I should be safe, right?

Is this too risky? Should I wait for a local?

[Lord Helmet]

1. don't do it

Craigslist can be a fraud festival.
Only do business locally.

[ChoralScholar]

2. That's my inclination also. EOM

[Omphaloskepsis]

3. Don't do it..

They could have phished someones Paypal info. A transaction really shouldn't be that complicated. "Picked up by my agents." Yikes. And the spelling/grammar reeks of a stupid person. Craigslist is best for local cash exchanges. They don't offer any protection against scams.

Do you have a local paper you could put the ad in? Selling a car is one of those things it seems best to do in person. They can check it out and you can make sure you get paid.

[ChoralScholar]

4. I'm going to put it in the paper. EOM

[amitten]

5. Just tell people that they can only purchase in person. n/t

[ashling]

6. This is a typical Craig's List Scam

We have sold a couple of large pieces of furniture via CL at different times.

Got this type of scam on both occassions - the first from England on an executive desk ans chair set that we eventually sold for $1000

It sounds like it must be ok, but 1)once they have you hooked in things will change. At the very least they will end up with your identity info.

STAY AWAY!

[judaspriestess]

7. definitely a scam

I think the links atop the CL page will go over some typical scams and this is one of them.

[Connonym]

8. absolutely positively a scam

Things that are expensive to ship seem to be prone to this scam. The way it was explained to me is that the shipping is the scam part. Let's say you're selling something for $500 and the shipping would be $250 -- they send you a phony check for $750, you pay their shipper 250(they don't care if they actually get the item) and by the time their fake check has bounced they're long gone. You're stuck with a worthless check and out $250 and possibly the item. This scam is ideal for things like furniture or cars that would be very expensive to ship.

Good on you for spotting it. Always, always best to check out stuff that seems fishy. I had a couple people try to lure me with this scam when I was selling a piece of furniture.

[yy4me]

9. Don't do it. I received an answer to an ad I ran on Craigslist

to sell some tires and I'd swear this was the same wording. I reported it to Craigslist and did not reply.
Tons of scams on Craigs list, be careful.

[RebelOne]

10. I wouldn't be surprised if this guy doesn't live in Florida,

but in Nigeria. Sounds like one of their scams. Send fake cashiers check, get merchandise and then check bounces.

[ChoralScholar]

11. Well, I got another offer of cash, from a guy in St. Louis

about 4.5 hours away. I haven't gotten in touch with him yet, but I assume I would meet him somewhere.

Anything I should watch out for here? I feel like I maybe should bring a counterfeit pen with me.

[LeftyMom]

12. Suggestion: meet at either the DMV office or a branch of your bank

Either one should have plenty of cameras and security, which would cause a scammer or potential robber to balk. Also, you can either make your deposit or sign over the car straightaway. Whichever you don't do, go do the other immediately on your way home. Also, bring a friend with you. A counterfeit pen is not a bad idea if you'll be paid in cash, though holding a bill up to the light to look for the watermark and security strip will do in a pinch.

Make a photocopy of the buyer's DL, or copy down their information. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, get the plate number on the car they drive up in at least.

If you're buying a car, so similar stuff, plus check the title for alterations and make sure it has the correct watermark. Service records are a good sign the buyer really owns the car.