Five Money Scams to Watch Out for on Craigslist Daytona

Daytona

There have been several scams appearing in the ads on Craigslist Daytona recently. The site is popular for posting ads selling cars, trucks, boats, RVs, and other miscellaneous items. It’s also a place where people find homes for sale or rent by owners as well as by real estate companies and although most transactions are perfectly legitimate, we’re seeing more and more phony ads posted by scammers who are out to steal your hard earned cash. Here are five money scams that you need to watch out for on Craigslist Daytona.

1. Daytona Craigslist Rental Property Scam

A Sanford woman posted fake Craigslist ads for rental property in DeLand. Several people were scammed in the con operation. The woman had collected between $75 to $525 from each of her victims who attempted to rent the property she listed. After contacting her about the rental, she collected deposit and rent from the victims and gave them a key. When the renters discovered the key didn’t work, they tried to contact her. She would respond to their first call offering to fix the issue, but would then disconnect the number and disappear.

2. Scam Car Ads on Craigslist Daytona

There has been a rash of car scams on Craigslist Daytona. Scammers are stealing photographs of cars and other vehicles, then creating a phony ad. They’re listing them for sale for about 1/3 below their current value. Buyers who think they’re getting a good deal area actually falling victim to a con artist. The scammers give a sob story about being in the military and they say that they’re stationed overseas or in a different part of the country and this is why they cannot meet with buyers to sell them the vehicle. They ask for the fund to be sent to them for the purchase via wire transfer and they promise to ship the vehicle after the money has been received. After victims send the payment, the scammers disappear and stop responding to contact attempts. The rule of thumb to stay safe is to only deal with local people who are willing to meet with you in a public place to show you the car.

3. Nigerian Rental Scam Craigslist Daytona

This apartment was listed by a scammer from Nigeria. It’s one of many examples of how these overseas con artists are stealing photos and information from legitimate listing sites and using them to make phony ads for rental properties. They insist on having the money wired to them for rent and a deposit. They promise to mail the keys to you after you’ve sent the money. They even go as far as to have potential renters go through a screening process and fill out a rental application. They not only steal any money sent for a deposit and rent, but they also get your personal information which could be used for identity theft.

4. Another Rental Scam in Daytona Beach Craigslist

Real estate professional Sherry Armstrong is warning everyone in the area to be careful about who you give a rental deposit to. There is a criminal who has been finding houses that are for rent or sale in the area and stealing the information to make his own fake rental ads. He claims that he has moved to West Africa as a result of winning a petroleum land bid. He offers the house for rent while he is away. There is a questionnaire that all interested parties must complete and upon approval, they tell potential renters to wire the deposit and after the money is sent, no keys arrive and the scammers stop responding to email and calls.

5. 2003 Ford Escape Scam on Daytona Craigslist

A phony ad offering a 2003 Ford Escape for sale for $3,920 gives pictures and full details of a vehicle that appears to be a great deal, except it is too good to be true. After interested parties respond, an email arrives that is supposedly from the seller and informs the buyer that they have recently moved out of the state and that the vehicle must be sold quickly. The money must be sent via wire transfer and the seller will ship it to the buyer for no additional cost. It’s a common scam and one that you need to watch out for.