Like many here I put components and bikes on Craigslist to sell. I put a saddle and a bike up on CL and asked for communication either by e-mail (through CL) or via text message. Immediately I received two hits. In both instances, they sent a text message quoting the complete title of the listing and asking that I send an e-mail directly to an e-mail provided in the text of the message. In other words, they wanted to discuss the purchase via e-mail, but were unwilling to use e-mail through Craigslist and they were unwilling to communicate via text, although that's how they contacted me. It smelled like some sort of scam so I didn't follow their request. In both instances, I called the phone number provided and in both instances it went to a google phone mail (I never heard of a google phone mail). Has anyone else run into this? Anyone know if this is a scam and what the scam is?
Thanks for any feedback.
Oh, both the saddle and bike were sold.

Yes, it's a scam. Any time you post on craigslist you will get responses like that.

Run like a cold Soviet wind...

Probably a scam, but Google phone isn't necessarily evidence of a scammer. I use Google phone with a headset for calls when I'm on the computer and need to take notes, research while I'm talking, etc. It's free, less resource intensive than Skype on my low end laptop, and can forward to/from my other phones.

It's a scam. Anything that directly quotes your full posting title is a scam. It will usually follow with an offer of more than your asking price to be paid by a certified check from a seller who will send his representative to pick up "the item". You'll probably be asked to send a small fee via Western Union as an act of good faith.

Google phone number does not equal scam. It allows you to create a number thatt will redirect to your phone. The benefit is you can screen your incoming calls, assign a specific number for business purposes, and delete the number when you're done. Most importantly, you don't have to give out your actual cell number. Quite handy for a lot of things.

https://voice.google.com/about

Anyone requiring a redirect are scammers. Google phone number is fine, its what I use for C/L as a seller. Its the rest of the story that is a scam.

My scam prevention right now on C/L is simple, I ask for a name and zip code on any response. Scammers use automated responses, and don't actually read your ad so they can't answer questions.

I use this sentence in any of my ads: "Name and zip code on any reply to make sure you are real and not one of those scammers that are killing Craigs List right now."



On google phone, I really like it! First, it automatically screens your calls. Secondly, any messages get converted to text and sent to your email. Third, it gives you a local phone number. People that have moved a lot over the years often have a phone number that is not local to their current location. So with google phone, I can pick a local number that is forwarded to my cell phone.

All of this and it is free.

Phishing to accumulate email addresses/ IP addresses for re-sale

You'll probably start getting phone calls about health insurance or credit card services. About 3-5 per day.

I'm hoping you just get spam emails but your email filter should help with that.

Id register with the Do Not Call registry online if the calls start.

I didn't send the e-mail as requested. As for my phone number, it was already listed on the CL ad, that's how they contacted me to begin with so calling them from the same phone didn't add any risk. I just wondered if there was some new scam out there but from these responses it appears its the same scams they've been using for years.
I haven't heard from the royal family from Nigeria yet who want to transfer millions of dollars to my bank account, that scam is probably coming in the next few days. However the "Sheriff" did call to tell us there's a warrant out for our son but they'll waive the warrant if we give them $100 via our credit card (Sheriff doesn't call anyone with a warrant, the meet you face to face). And of course the "IRS" called to tell us we owe back taxes and of course, they too would not arrest us if we give them our credit card number. As we all know, if the IRS has an issue with your taxes, you get a letter in the mail.
Then there's my favorite, the call from "Microsoft" because our computer is sending them error messages. I have an ongoing competition with those dudes to see how long I can string them along before they catch on they're being reverse scammed. It's great. I do the elderly guy who can't remember what they just told me, taking several minutes to type in one line on the computer. Finally, when the computer supposedly has a screen pop up (not really) they ask me what it says and I tell them "It says this guys been stringing you along to set a new record for how long he can waste your time while not actually typing anything into the computer". Actually had one guy laugh and wish me a nice day.

+1

Agree; it sounds like a bot response sequence.

Never put your phone number in an ad (or unmasked email address) on the internet. That's how you get scammers and nuts to contact you. Deal over email, and trade phone numbers when setting up the actual sale.

This is what I like about Google phone. Try it out.

Google phone likely allows someone to look like they have a legit US phone number, but actually is getting the calls/messages overseas.

99.9% of the time if they want ypu to call google and input a code it's bad news. If they ask you to email a third party, bad news. If they sent you a text to click on to a link, bad news.

I usually note I will not make a call to google and input a code nor work through private third parties.

If called and asked about your computer I say I am on parole and the judge said I can't have a computer because I get in trouble with computers. That usually ends the call.

If they persist I ask if the caller is alone and what they are wearing, never made it past that point.

My personal record is over an hour. The guy actually called me back in the middle because he thought we were disconnected. I usually finish with "Microsoft computer? I have an Apple." I look at it as at the least I may be keeping someone else from being scammed.

Exactly! I used to get those messages several times for every advert that I put up on CR. For quite some time they were SOP on any advert at a couple different shooting site classifieds but some admin moves to prevent posting in the classifieds by new members seems to have killed that. PITA but the delete button is simple to use and the chances of missing a sale is so remote.
Never posting a ph# or email is absolutely a rule!

I hope that was fun for you, but to me, I'd be wasting my time as much as theirs.