Are scams on the rise?

[AJCts411]

Recently I've been downsizing, selling some "big toys", and listed TS for sale/rent/exchange. Seems to me that of the responses I received, 80% were fraud/scam attempts.

A common scenario among most of the scams, that for some reason the person buying can not personally complete the deal, they have a agent/intermediary/etc.. (I'm deaf, wife is pregnant, out of town on business...) and the obvious to me that they need my personal and bank info.
Any one else notice the rise of the attacks by these key board criminals? Any defense suggestions?

 

[silentg]

Don’t reply

 

[Beachclubmum]

Where are you listing? Seems like the best place to get legitimate sales these days is FB Marketplace.

 

[bluehende]

With the anonymity of the internet it is easy to attempt a quick scam. I would imagine that and the worldwide aspect of the internet leads to a huge increase in attempts.

 

[OldGuy]

No, not on the rise . . . about as many scams as always.

Perhaps they have just been normalized.

 

[dioxide45]

Where are you listing? Seems like the best place to get legitimate sales these days is FB Marketplace.

FB Marketplace is great. Working pretty well for us for smaller household items and furnishings. DW posts all the ads. The only problem she runs in to every once in a while are things in the photos that FB thinks are against posting guidelines. Tried listing a Soda Stream with the carbonation bottle in the photos, wouldn't post. Took that out and it went through just fine. FB must seem to think it is an explosive device. We also have a metal table with a glass top. It won't post in the Marketplace either.

 

[OldGuy]

I have used Craigslist probably since it began for a multiple of things we need or need to get rid of, and have never found it problematic. The suspicious ones are pretty obvious. I have also built up repeat-business clientele via craigslist. I've done contracts, deeds, bills of sale, etc., many times without ever meeting the other party.

We have purchased cars, jet skis, boats, BBQ grills, yard implements, dock floats after the last hurricane, etc. . . . . . and have gotten rid of and rented timeshares, a boat dock, golf balls, metal roofing, you name it . . . . . . .

Last Winter we got two kayaks for $500, used them for the Winter, then put them back on and got $550.

It has been a very cost-effective method of advertising and shopping.

You have to do some fairly simple things to remove that suspicion for both parties. I never give personal information until we have a deal.

I am nearing the end of a $75000 sale on craigslist (knocking on wood), so it can be done.