Avoid text message scam

Question

Please help guard fellow deal Classified Ads users against text message scams, and post your story and scammer's phone # here.

Please also file a complaint with Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

 

Answer 1

205-433-9678- Hi I was wondering if the Carolina Boss Edition, for sale was still available?

Me: Yes it is

205-433-9678- ok I want t buy for my dad in cali and i will appreciate more pics from you as i will not be able to come take a look due to my work...what is your asking price?

Me: I'm asking 1000 obo

205-433-9678: Ok I will add $400 to your asking price to keep of from orthwer buyer and delete the add from site to considered it was sold to me. do you have a paypal account so tat i can be able to make transfer to you from mine because i dont ave much time around me because of my work and also i will arrange for shipping agent to help me with with the pick u

Me: paypal account ********@***.com

205-433-9678: ave discused with my shipping agent they charge me $550 for pickup fee which they want me to pay through western union and i dont have access to western union right here on the sea so i have decided to add the shipping fee to the payment i will send to your paypal and u will make a western union transfer to the after the payment has been confirmed 

This person goes by David Cox using Emails chris.barlow@usask.ca, They also use text messaging Phone# 205-433-9678

When you get a request like this check all contact before you send anything.

 

Answer 2

There have been several reported text message scams from phone # 205-433-9678.

Here is the story as told by one of our users:

"He was willing to pay the over 800.00 for all things and even offered my 120.00 over the asking price if I would take down the ads and conceder the stuff sold.

When we were taking about payment he insisted on paypal I wanted western union...he said he could not do western union because he was "at sea" and that he had a "shipping agent" that would take care of picking up and shipping even tho I did say local pick up only...

When I gave him my paypal email he said he would check with his "shipping agent" and get back to me. Whne he got back to me he told me that his "shipping agent" wanted 150.00 to pick up the items and that they would only do western union, he said he was going to include the 150.00 in the money he put in my paypal account and I could western union them the money...."

Answer 3

Another reported spamer phone #: 213- 394-6702 . And below is the story as told by one of our users.

"He goes by the name "Larry Grant". Wanted us to pay his shipping in order to put money into a paypal acct. My wife has over 60 text messages from him & we have fake paypal emails. "

Answer 4

Another reported text message scam from following phone #s:

443-863-9480 (Maryland) and 213-986-8491 (California).

Story from our user:

"I had two contact me about an item and they were both trying to run a scam on me. Refused to deal any way but with PayPal, saw several negative reviews on the web and turned both down. Both used the exact scenario that the web described, being in a hurry to purchase, needing to seal the deal as quickly as possible, and having made arrangements for shipping before the purchase......."

Answer 5

Another reported spammer phone #: 732-663-9011.

Comments

Refused to deal with anything but Pay Pal. Claimed to be busy with work and would arrange shipping for motorcycle. Offered more than I was asking and insisted I immediately remove vehicle from listing.

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Another reported scam story from this #:
"a person messaged me and wanted my Paypal acount information so they could buy my car and have the funds transferred,the person was in jersey and i am in pa,8 hours away...i was asking 1500 for my car,they said they were going to pay for shipping for my car,which is over 3000.00,i played along have all the text saved the persons number is 7326639011"

Answer 6

Another reported scam #: 207-358-9366

Answer 7

Another reported text message scam from # 267-638-6746.

Answer 8

Few more reported scam #. Both asked for West Union transfers and offered to pay more than asked price.

803-875-0387

601-791-1628

Answer 9

Another reported scammer # 323-380-8292 .  Contacted sellers using different names and emails.

Comments

I had the same kind of text mess/PayPal scam regarding a car sale 01/29/14 using name Eric Belley, 408-666-2508, ericbelley299@gmail and shipper they want me to pay $1900 is Micheal Vinson. I called PayPal and reported to spoof@paypal.com. Also filed a complaint with Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Answer 10

Another reported scammer #: 269-533-8944.

Answer 11

Another reported scam #: 928-275-5732 . Story from our user:

"There was a person name Dave at 723-663-9011 call who wanted to purchase my truck and when I told him cash only he never text me again. There was a Eric Belley at 928-275-5732 same thing. "

Answer 12

Another scam report:

"I want to report a text scam. It is your number 1 example listed for text fraud. He is from out of state, wanting more pictures, offering more than asking price, wanting to arrange pick up by a third party, wanting me to remove the add, etc.

Fraud attempt came from Dave at 661-282-7611"

Answer 13

Another reported scam #: 623-428-1451. Story from our user:

"I also received a scam text.
Name was Eric Belley, Ph # 623-428-1451.
Said he was on a ship and had to use Paypal."

Answer 14

Another reported #: 623-666-8116 .

Story from our user:

"Received a text stating from 623-666-8116, Is your motorcycle listed on craigclassifiedads still for sale?
reply:yes
Next Text, (4/4)its condition.
I didn't reply.
Next Text, hello am Eric Belley, how i wish i could come and inspect it but currently I'm working away from the country I'm a marine engineer
Next Text,(2/4)who's on a ship right now so i'll be buying it without seeing it, Also I'll be paying via PayPal and i'm more than happy to pay the
Next Text,(3/4)PayPal transfer charges too, i'll arrange the pick-up of it with a Private Courier Service as soon as you get your payment, so tell me
I sent a text to him: Sorry Cash Only! My next text to him:Help me out here, where are you from? HAVEN'T HEARD FROM HIM/HER SINCE!!! "

Answer 15

Another reported scam from Eric Belley at phone # 240-718-6269 .