Does this look like a craigslist scam??

Question

I've been looking around craigslist for a PS3, and came across an awesome deal. I contacted the seller, and he tells me that he will take PayPal and will ship for free. He says he's at a military base (San Diego, I'm in LA) and has to sell quick. I'm kind of reluctant to send off so much money without knowing for sure if I'll get the item. But he does say he is a verified PayPal member, and that he'll give me a tracking number. What do you think, sound fishy? Is there a way I can be protected by PayPal?

Answer 1

Here's the list of ways to avoid scams as listed on craigslist:

DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.

NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.

FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.

CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"

NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)

AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.

The first item on the list is the  easiest and best way to avoid being scammed.  Deal locally and in person.  That's what started craigslist.  You can contact PayPal and see what they have to say about this deal.

Answer 2

L.A. is just 2 hours from San Diego.  Why not just drive to pick up the PS3 instead of risking if you feel it's a scam?  A verified Paypal member doesn't mean much.  Unless your transaction is through eBay, I don't think you'll be protected by Paypal.

Answer 3

You won't be protected by Paypal. Your protection comes from EBay.

It doesn't matter if he's a verified member, everyone who does ONE transaction is verified. As far as the tracking number, he can ship a box of dog p**p or a box of air, and

give that a tracking number.

Like they say, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.