Another Craigslist Scam?

[Ender07]

I just received this message from a prospective client through craigslist:

Hey,

I saw your ad on craigslist today and need someone to setup my two computers (PC box, monitor, mouse, printer, etc) and internet network in my new house. The computer is an HP and I already have all the network equipment from my last house. The cable man already came and setup the modem and everything. He wouldn't setup the network or computers though, hence why I need your help =)
I am a newly divorced single mom and I am not very good at computers (this is an understatement). I live in downtown Madison and would like you to come sometime within the next week. Let me know if this is something you can help me with.

Do you charge per house? If so, how much?

Thanks and look forward to hearing from you!

Now it sounded legit because I am from Madison, WI and there weren't tons of spelling errors, however it was in my spam folder so I didn't see it right away and when I responded less than 2 minutes later I received this:

Thanks for the quick response. I would like to go ahead and hire you. I like your prices and am excited to meet you. Once when I hired someone on craigslist to do work around my home, unfortunately, they stole several expensive antiques behind my back- ever since I am always cautious when finding workers online. I would really appreciate if you can do a quick background check for me, just so I know you do not have bad intentions like the last guys =( Sorry for being so cautious, im sure everything fine- just rather be safe than sorry!

Here is a site I trust which gives a free background check (just use the free trial) - Background-checker.org

Send that over and lets get on the phone tomorrow so I can give you my address and we can get everything firmed up!

Thanks so much!!

So that was a bit weird because she said "Thanks for the quick response." even though I was 5 days late in responding. Then it all was sent to me in under 2 minutes, so I'm thinking its a automated response because on the details on who it's from it says:

mailed by: gator1255.hostgator.com

but the first email I received said:

mailed by: realtor-marketing-guru.info

I wrote her back saying that I already went through an electronic background check on thumbtack.com and she can check it if she would like. I didn't get any email again right away after that and still haven't even though the first response was in minutes.

Thoughts?

 

[Knightsman]

I would say scam, better safe than sorry!

 

[Xander]

Domain Names Registered on 2010-10-28 (Page 65)


28 Oct 2010 ... realtor-marketing-guru.info realtor-specials.info realtyinvesting.info realtynext.net realtypostsigns.com realtyua.net realufosightings.info ...
daily-domain.com/2010-10-28/page/65 - Cached


New domain + too-quick-to-be-real reply? Scam.

 

[ell]

LOL seems everytime I see " Thanks for the quick response." I just delete.

 

[Knightsman]

a big flag for me is if they rush me to get info in. Please rush get this now, next two days blah blah blah.

 

[Ender07]

Yeah, I thought about looking into the WHOIS but forgot about it...had to do all my post-xmas returns today. Although I must say if I get a quick response from someone I email I like to say "Thanks for the quick repsonse" lol so far my emails haven't been deleted by people so maybe I will stop saying that! XD

 

[callthatgirl]

I got it too. I didn't fall for it, but did sorta. I ended up getting the 800 number from the company and called and bitched them out. They said I was threatening them, and hung up one me. Twice.

Good times!

Definatly a scam, I had to say it was a good one. These folks are getting smarter on how to draw us in to reply. I put out a CL ad months ago and this was a reply 4 days ago, I have decided to not do anymore CL ads period.

 

[Ender07]

I got it too. I didn't fall for it, but did sorta. I ended up getting the 800 number from the company and called and bitched them out. They said I was threatening them, and hung up one me. Twice.

Good times!

Definatly a scam, I had to say it was a good one. These folks are getting smarter on how to draw us in to reply. I put out a CL ad months ago and this was a reply 4 days ago, I have decided to not do anymore CL ads period.

Yeah I wish I could, but enough people on there actually hire me and since I'm just starting out my client base isn't too big right now, and I'm on a shoestring budget for marketing. I did buy your book btw and it was a great read! I hope to utilize Facebook and LinkedIn more.

 

[vdub12]

I got it too. I didn't fall for it, but did sorta. I ended up getting the 800 number from the company and called and bitched them out. They said I was threatening them, and hung up one me. Twice.

Good times!

Definatly a scam, I had to say it was a good one. These folks are getting smarter on how to draw us in to reply. I put out a CL ad months ago and this was a reply 4 days ago, I have decided to not do anymore CL ads period.

Yeah I wish I could, but enough people on there actually hire me and since I'm just starting out my client base isn't too big right now, and I'm on a shoestring budget for marketing. I did buy your book btw and it was a great read! I hope to utilize Facebook and LinkedIn more.

I personally get a lot of buisness from CL. What I have done to stop scams completely is to not post your email address. I have my phone number in the post and a link to my site. If someone wants to contact me I would rather them call me anyway. I don't do buisness over email.

 

[Ender07]

I personally get a lot of buisness from CL. What I have done to stop scams completely is to not post your email address. I have my phone number in the post and a link to my site. If someone wants to contact me I would rather them call me anyway. I don't do buisness over email.

I don't post my email, I just post my phone number as you do but I still get tons of scam emails.

 

[NeutronTech]

I don't post on CL. I know I can get jobs on there, but they usually aren't the types of clients I am targeting. This varies by area, I'm sure. I've found that usually if the customer shows any hesitation over my prices, then they aren't the clients for me.

 

[effiecgu]

There was no need to wonder

If you visit Background-checker.org, you'll see it redirects to free-lotto, and tells you that you just won $$$$

 

[NeutronTech]

If you visit Background-checker.org, you'll see it redirects to free-lotto, and tells you that you just won $$$$

Really!? I've been trying for years to win the lotto. Looks like I'm finally going to get to retire. Nice knowing you all, on my way over to that site, then off to the Bahamas!

 

[callthatgirl]

LOL!

I got the beenverified.org site and I called and bitched, bored today? Have fun with that lady, she is full of spite and could probably spit nails if given half a chance. a

Make sure to threaten her a bit....lol