Where's the scam here?

[hal]

I post stuff to sell on craigslist and offerup and often get a message asking me to contact them on a different phone/email than we are currently communicating. I can't understand why that could be warranted so I don't respond. What's the scam or am I just paranoid?

[Tiangou]

Could be this scenario (which I've done):

They're using a burner number in case you're a scammer.

When they have some sense that it's legit, they give you a "real" phone number.

[rz]

My wife posted something we were selling on FB Marketplace. It was only a $5 item. Someone contacted her almost immediately and wanted her to send her some six-digit number to "prove" she wasn't a scammer. WTF? It was a $5 item. My wife refused.

[hal]

rz wrote:
My wife posted something we were selling on FB Marketplace. It was only a $5 item. Someone contacted her almost immediately and wanted her to send her some six-digit number to "prove" she wasn't a scammer. WTF? It was a $5 item. My wife refused.

yeah, that's a scam I've heard of

[kj]

I think it's good you're ignoring those. Even if it's legit, if they can't just do things in a reasonable way, they're going to miss out. There are plenty of people who just do the normal stuff, so why bother.

[mrbigstuff]

Tiangou wrote:
Could be this scenario (which I've done):

They're using a burner number in case you're a scammer.

When they have some sense that it's legit, they give you a "real" phone number.

I use a Google voice number, and get a message, but now they've made it more difficult to send that number to a regular phone.

[bhaveshp]

Could it be this Google Voice verification code scam?

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts...w-avoid-it

[Tiangou]

mrbigstuff wrote:
[quote=Tiangou]
Could be this scenario (which I've done):

They're using a burner number in case you're a scammer.

When they have some sense that it's legit, they give you a "real" phone number.

I use a Google voice number, and get a message, but now they've made it more difficult to send that number to a regular phone.
I used a "burner" app that issued a temporary phone number for calls and texts. It was easy to use, just buy a credit and use that credit for a phone a number that would blow up in a few days. Unfortunately, they went to a subscription-model and the app is now a steaming pile of hot garbage. Not sure what I'll do the next time.

[hal]

I decided to answer one on a burner email.

Funny, the lead in was 'sorry, I'm too busy right now, could you contact my husband?'

the 'husband' replies:

Thanks for returning my message. I'm currently not in town for now, so I won't be able to meet with you due to my work frame and also we are very busy at this time preparing for our daughter's wedding but I'm okay with the price and condition as shown on the advert. I'll proceed in issuing a cashier's check to you and when you receive the payment and it clears your bank, I will make arrangements for the pick up. I will also add an additional $100 to hold it down for me. So get back to me with the details below to mail the check out to you asap.......

Name to be on the payment ...........
Address to mail the check to ........
City, state and Zip code ............
Last Asking price...................
Phone number to text you on .......

The check will be overnight to you asap and delivered to you within 24hours. hope to read back from you soon

same old scam... no, I'm not going to waste my time 'playing' with them...