Hingham Police Warn of Craigslist Scam

From the Hingham Police Department:

A resident reported a scam attempt through Craigslist that took place last week. This same scam can be used on any online site used to sell or purchase items.

The resident had placed a pair of shoes on Craigslist for sale for $100. A man from “Missouri” contacted her via text message that he would buy them. He mailed a check to her for an amount ($1,000.50) significantly more than the agreed upon price.

As the resident went to deposit the check she immediately received several texts from the man asking if the funds had cleared. She then called her bank and explained what had occurred. Her bank agreed it was a scam and returned the check to her without fully processing it.

The resident texted the man and said she knew this was a scam. She told him to no longer contact her. He responded that he would “assassinate her family” if she did not complete the sale. He also reminded her he knew her address. It appears the man was “spoofing” the caller ID making it difficult to track.

The scam works when the “buyer” sends a check for much more than the asking price. They “buyer” claims it was a mistake and asks the “seller” to send them a money order or wire back to them the difference. The “buyer” may tell the “seller” to keep an amount for themselves for their “troubles”.

The scam is successful because the check is fake. Because it’s from out of state and takes longer to clear, the scammer wants hopes you will send them the difference before you hear from the bank that it’s a fake check.