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Paypal Scam
Jan 29, 2019 16:27:44   #
farwest Loc: Utah
 
I was contacted by text for items I had listed and the buyer made an offer and asked for my name and PayPal email so he could send payment. I provided them and they text back wondering if I could include a iTunes card which they would also pay for as the camera and lens was a gift for someone. I said no thanks. Now I'm worried about them hacking my PayPal account. It's a jungle out there for sure.

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Jan 29, 2019 16:31:03   #
47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range
 
I would contact PayPal customer service and let them know what happened. They are usually quite helpful. There are some crafty folks out there. It happens.

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Jan 29, 2019 17:05:46   #
Stevewayne23 Loc: Sacramento, CA
 
did they send payment?

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Jan 29, 2019 17:09:12   #
farwest Loc: Utah
 
not yet but I was worried about them trying to hack my PayPal. I told them after payment I'd send but I wasn't going to buy a iTunes card and put in with the stuff even though they was including payment for the iTunes card. So I think they was fishing for my PayPal address and name. They haven't text back since I said I wasn't interested in doing the iTunes card.

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Jan 29, 2019 17:13:11   #
Stevewayne23 Loc: Sacramento, CA
 
does sound very fishy. No reason to ask for an iTunes card; that's something they can get at any store with gift cards.

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Jan 29, 2019 17:18:14   #
gilpog
 
I got into the same scheme with 2 potential buyers. They too asked for the same information. Like you I gave it to them thinking that there is no danger with my email address. I contacted PayPal by phone and explained what happened. They suggested that it was an attempt to purchase the item outside of PayPal. They never payed and I don't think you'll see the color of money. I checked my accounts and everything is ok. I recommend that you do the same. Lesson learned for me.

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Jan 29, 2019 17:30:39   #
47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range
 
Another lesson of my personal stupidity in letting myself get scammed. I had a camera on Craigslist. I got an inquiry of whether I'd ship foreign or not. I figured what's the harm in that. Not my money. So, I invoiced the email address. Hours later, I got a "PayPal" email saying that "the party" had sent me money but that it was held in escrow because of the size of the transaction. (Don't ask) I was to send proof of shipment in a reply email to PayPal and they would release the funds. Instead of going online to my PayPal account, the stupid side of my brain kicked in, and I shipped. When it finally hit me, it was of course too late. The PayPal rep that I spoke almost verbatim described what happened. There was no record on PayPal for anything other than my original invoice. As Forest Gump should be saying, "stupid is as stupid am." That was 4 years ago. I've hopefully learned my lesson.

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Jan 29, 2019 17:40:27   #
twowindsbear
 
Maybe change your PayPal password just in case?

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Jan 30, 2019 08:22:25   #
berchman Loc: South Central PA
 
47greyfox wrote:
Another lesson of my personal stupidity in letting myself get scammed. I had a camera on Craigslist. I got an inquiry of whether I'd ship foreign or not. I figured what's the harm in that. Not my money. So, I invoiced the email address. Hours later, I got a "PayPal" email saying that "the party" had sent me money but that it was held in escrow because of the size of the transaction. (Don't ask) I was to send proof of shipment in a reply email to PayPal and they would release the funds. Instead of going online to my PayPal account, the stupid side of my brain kicked in, and I shipped. When it finally hit me, it was of course too late. The PayPal rep that I spoke almost verbatim described what happened. There was no record on PayPal for anything other than my original invoice. As Forest Gump should be saying, "stupid is as stupid am." That was 4 years ago. I've hopefully learned my lesson.
Another lesson of my personal stupidity in letting... (show quote)


Craigslist explicitly warns you against shipping anything. Craigslist is intended for face-to-face cash transactions. I have used it often with no problem. For something really expensive I meet the person in a public place. I sold one iPhone in the lobby of a YMCA and another in a fast food restaurant.

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Jan 30, 2019 09:37:31   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
When in doubt - drop them!

Buyers use your email address to pay you through PayPal. PayPal will have your name and address, so you can receive payment. Simply having your email address and name will not give someone access to your PP account.

It wouldn't hurt to contact PP about this.

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Jan 30, 2019 09:52:02   #
farwest Loc: Utah
 
Thanks for all the replies. I've done lots of transactions buying and selling and this was my first scammer. Still trying to figure out their angle if the money would of been deposited in my account. When I text no thanks on the iTunes card they never replied again.

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Jan 30, 2019 14:20:26   #
Pro1
 
I found out myself.....never use PayPal. That's the real scam. Sell to B&H or a local Photo store. Might get less but there is very little risk,

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Jan 30, 2019 23:48:58   #
Ratskinner Loc: Copalis Beach WA
 
I believe PayPal itself Is probably OK, that said why take a chance. There are better ways to do business.

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