Scam Alert

[NixDad]

So, I recently got scammed and wanted to warn everyone.
I was interested in something posted in the for-sale section.
Here's what I believe happened...
I sent a note in the main page that said 'PM Sent'. (I provided more information in the PM to the seller)
Shortly after that I got a text...presuming it was the seller.
I believe the scammer did a search for my past posts and extracted my phone number and had me send him payment.
It took the original seller a day-ish to get back to me, so I didn't catch it until the real seller contacted me through the PM.

Scammer email: wayneburns321@icloud.com

Did a google search and this person seems to troll various 'for sale' sites, for auto parts, furniture, etc.

Suggestion: clean out old past ads or communications where your contact information is posted.
I'm usually more wary, but because the communication came quickly after i sent the seller a note I was caught off-guard!!
Lesson learned...grrrr!

 

[floyd]

That really sucks! Thanks for warning people.

 

[pschlosser]

I'm sorry to hear you got scammed. That really stinks.

FYI, there will be no way for a third party to see or read the contact information you share via Private Message with a second party by searching this site. Only data you post out there for everyone to read in a post or forum thread.

• NEVER post your email or phone number publicly in a for sale forum (or any other forum for that matter).
• DO share those details via Direct (or Private) after negotiating is final.
• DO use payment methods providing buyer protection, such as PayPal (but not the Friends and Family method)

I do not see much risk in sharing my phone number, privately, to a seller who may be a potential scammer.

The only email address I share is the one connected with my PayPal payment, since that is the address they use to request payment, and it will be on the confirmation email sent by PayPal.

 

[Mopar Nut]

Sorry to hear you got screwed. Appreciate the warning.

 

[rallye340]

Thanks for the warning and hopefully you were able to contact your bank in the nick of time and let them know what happened so you don't actually lose any money.

 

[R4Sedan]

Sorry you got Taken. Thanks for the heads-up.