Is PayPal safe payment on an automobile?

[Jeffwo]

I have a vehicle for sale on Craigslist (95 Mustang $2500) and a guy contacted me via text message and wants to pay with PayPal and send a shipper to pick it up.

Is this legit or a scam? Any advice from someone with experience in this area would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[purbeast0]

lol

 

[SunnyD]

/seems legit

 

[Gillbot]

I got oceanfront homes for sale in Ohio too if you are buying.

 

[MixMasterTang]

You might as well just send me a check for $500 and take the car to a dump that way you end up in a better situation than you are thinking about in your OP.

 

[SunnyD]

Hey op... do me a favor.

- Go to your local craigslist main page.
- Under "For Sale", click on the "cars & trucks" link.
- Report back and tell us all what it says.

 

[Jeffwo]

OK. I assume from the sarcastic remarks that PayPal is not a legit means of payment for a $2500 vehicle.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Thank you for the laugh, in what was looking to be a very mundane afternoon.

 

[Tweak155]

OK. I assume from the sarcastic remarks that PayPal is not a legit means of payment for a $2500 vehicle.

Regardless, the guy wants to buy it without seeing a vehicle. That doesn't put you at a pause?

 

[highland145]

Even doing what I do for a living, I'm fairly naive about paypal scams. Isn't it the preferred method of payment on ebay? If so, why can't there be/aren't there mass scams there.

 

[SunnyD]

Even doing what I do for a living, I'm fairly naive about paypal scams. Isn't it the preferred method of payment on ebay? If so, why can't there be/aren't there mass scams there.

I haven't used it, so I can't verify, but as far as I know eBay Motors has a much higher "standard" for sellers to meet for listing criteria and buyers to buy than the general eBay population.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Even doing what I do for a living, I'm fairly naive about paypal scams. Isn't it the preferred method of payment on ebay? If so, why can't there be/aren't there mass scams there.

Paypal accounts can be hacked.
If the buyer states that the items was not received or in condition expected; Paypal will more likely side with the buyer (true or not).

Third party handling of anything of decent value; Paypal or otherwise, should be viewed with suspicion.


OP
If you think person is serious, have them send a USPS money order via certified mail to you or have it delivered by the shipper.

Verify the MO with the Post Office before releasing the vehicle.

 

[jupiter57]

Craigslist?
PayPal?
Shipper?

You trollin' or really not up to date on the old classic scams?

(Buyer didn't by any chance offer you an extra $1000 for your trouble, did he?)

 

[JustMe21]

Why don't they just send the cash to the shipper and have them hand it to you personally? Also, wasn't there a thread on here about someone trying to scam them by showing fake Paypal messages showing they paid the money to Paypal?

 

[Gooberlx2]

/seems legit

After Muse's debacle, I'm not so sure this sort of statement is very responsible anymore.

 

[SunnyD]

After Muse's debacle, I'm not so sure this sort of statement is very responsible anymore.

Oh? What's this about? Do tell.

 

[mmntech]

Only take cash or a certified cheque.

 

[onza]

That's why scammers will prosper around the world.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Oh? What's this about? Do tell.

One of the candidates for POTY 2012.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2239129

 

[Jeffwo]

Craigslist?
PayPal?
Shipper?

You trollin' or really not up to date on the old classic scams?

(Buyer didn't by any chance offer you an extra $1000 for your trouble, did he?)

Actually, this is my first experience with Craigslist.

I came to AT at risk of high ridicule to find out the lowdown on the situation and sure enough, I am recieving much ridicule along with a few facts.

Thanks,
Jeff

.

 

[highland145]

Paypal accounts can be hacked.
If the buyer states that the items was not received or in condition expected; Paypal will more likely side with the buyer (true or not).

Third party handling of anything of decent value; Paypal or otherwise, should be viewed with suspicion.

Thanks. Looks like ebay sellers would get screwed regularly.




Hey, Vivi, we didn't win the lottery. I want my $6 back.

 

[SheHateMe]

A friend of mine got scammed for her Galaxy S3 on Craigslist yesterday. Some guy texted her saying he'd pay $400 and proceeded to send her fake Paypal confirmations. She was too fucking stupid to check the legitimacy of the confirmations and shipped right away. I asked, "did you look at your Paypal account to see that a payment was sent to you?"
"no...this was my first time, I didnt know...can I call the cops to intercept the package"
"No, technically..you sent this guy a Christmas present"



She's been crying all day about it. She needed the money, the phone cost $50 to ship somehow..so now shes double fucked


I can't say that I haven't been laughing at her. No wonder why Scammers don't give up the business.

 

[MixMasterTang]

Actually, this is my first experience with Craigslist.

I came to AT at risk of high ridicule to find out the lowdown on the situation and sure enough, I am recieving much ridicule along with a few facts.

Thanks,
Jeff

.

While my first message may have been harsh, it was in fact truthful. When selling any large item that won't ship through UPS or Fedex only accept cash or a certified cashiers check in person and take a copy of their drivers license. Don't accept western union, paypal, credit card, personal check etc. If selling an item you can ship somewhere, ship it only to a verified address to the name of the person you sold the item to. NEVER make a deal when a middle man is involved.

 

[rasczak]

One of the candidates for POTY 2012.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2239129

Is your sarcasm meter broken?

 

[MixMasterTang]

A friend of mine got scammed for her Galaxy S3 on Craigslist yesterday. Some guy texted her saying he'd pay $400 and proceeded to send her fake Paypal confirmations. She was too fucking stupid to check the legitimacy of the confirmations and shipped right away. I asked, "did you look at your Paypal account to see that a payment was sent to you?"
"no...this was my first time, I didnt know...can I call the cops to intercept the package"
"No, technically..you sent this guy a Christmas present"



She's been crying all day about it. She needed the money, the phone cost $50 to ship somehow..so now shes double fucked


I can't say that I haven't been laughing at her. No wonder why Scammers don't give up the business.

If she shipped via UPS or FedEx there is a package intercept option or something like that to re-route shipments.