Fraudulent replies to classifieds?

Scammers responding to eHam and QRZ ads has become quite common. Sometimes, they actually snag someone! Some of the warning signs (and if you don't like my list, or are offended by it, TOUGH! It's protected me so far, and it will work for others.)

1. If the buyer/seller uses the word "item" in the response to your ad,
specifically avoiding naming the object referenced.
2. Does not have a valid amateur callsign, or asks that payment be
sent to an address that does not match the callsign lookup.
3. Most responders to your ad from England, and ALL of the responders
to your ad from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, or any other country on the continent
of Africa. Occasionally scammers will be based in Canada, but not often.
4. Wants to send their own shipper to pick up what it is you're selling.
5. Wants you to pay in some instrument that allows you zero recourse
to a refund (like Western Union).
6. Asks for ALL your contact information in a strange manner, i.e. wants
your FAX line, phone number, street address, image of your drivers license,
all at the same time.
7. Asks that they be allowed to overpay you, and that you send them the
difference back with whatever it is they're buying.
8. Acts like the speed of the transaction is paramount, i.e. won't give you
time to allow your bank to fully vet their paper payment. Even a U.S. Postal
Service money order can be faked! If they're not willing to wait the specified
amount of time that your bank tells you it takes for a check to completely
clear before you ship, RUN AWAY! My bank specifies 14 days, but some banks
specify as long as 30 days! Yes, banks will put the money in your account
within a couple of days, but if the check eventually bounces somewhere down
the line, they can also take the money BACK OUT of your account! The process
to fully vet a financial instrument other than cash is more lengthy than most
believe! If you happen to be successful at cashing a fake money order at some
location other than your bank, and are successful at walking away with cash in
hand, then YOU could also be jailed as an accessory to a crime!
9. I know PayPal has it's detractors, but if you have them pay you via PayPal,
and move the money immediately to your bank, once the money has transferred,
it's yours. Then (and ONLY then) you can ship them what you're selling. If they
raise a stink about having already paid you and want it shipped immediately, you
can always give them a refund at their option. If they raise a stink with PayPal
and get your account closed, hopefully you don't leave a balance in there to lose!
I always let potential buyers know that a PayPal transaction takes 3 days to clear
before I will ship. That's how long it takes to move the money to my personal
checking account where PayPal can't steal it from me after shipping.

Best of luck to you, -Web (WY3X)