Victim Location 27526
Type of a scam Phishing
Ok… I ran an ad on Craigslist to sell a car. I received a text response as follows…
Scammer: I saw your car listing on Craigslist and wanted to ask a few questions
Me: Ok. Ask away. You can call if you like.
Scammer: I read the whole description but I didn’t see the price in it
Scammer: What’s the price on the 2001 chevy?
( I responded an hour or so later…)
Scammer: hey, don’t mean to bother but are you still here?
Me: Sorry… I was outside… forgot my phone… The price is right in the title line. (Suspicion level rising) I’m asking $3700 for but that’s negotiable and I’ll consider trades.
Scammer: Would you please pull a history report from www.vinchecksupreme.com. Please mail that to me at [email protected]
(So, I check the VIN Check sight and they want money so…)
Me: Sorry, they charge for this… here’s the VIN: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. You can run it yourself. If you buy the car I’ll reimburse you.
Scammer: Just lmk after you’ve pulled the report and we can make a time to meet up. (Suspicion level still rising)
Me: Sorry, but I’m not going to pay for this report. You’re welcome to run it yourself though.
Scammer: thanks look forward to seeing the report 😉 I’ve had my eye on the 2001 chevy I think I’m ready to buy it. (Totally suspicious now)
Me: WHAT? Can you not read what I have now said twice? I will not pay to run this report.
Scammer: I will check my email later today when I get home! thank you!!
So, In my opinion, was talking with some kind of "robot". I think a program was responding to my responses as best it could. I would guess that the scam was to sell me a bogus VIN report and/or just steal my credit card number outright.
I hope this info helps someone else. It’s an easy scam to be suckered into.