This article is part of our KSL Classifieds “how-to” series, which focuses on things you can do to useKSL Classifiedseven more safely and effectively. Thanks for making KSL the number one classifieds site in Utah!Any good Utahn will tell you KSL Classifieds is where you’ve gotta go to buy, sell, rent, post an announcement, trade and barter (or even give away) almost anything you can think of. But like on any classifieds website, a few bad apples pop up sometimes to try to run some scam.

“Yeah, hi. I saw the Vitamix blender you listed on KSL. I really want it but I’m overseas working as a missionary. If you’ll let my third cousin Gary come pick it up I’ll send you a check for $100 more than your asking price. You’ll know him when you see him.”

You want to believe them (a missionary wouldn’t lie, right?!), but something feels off. Our vigilant Classifieds team works hard and uses sophisticated methods and technology to prevent and remove fraudulent or suspicious listings, and we’re proud to say KSL is much safer than the competitors, but we can’t always catch everything.

To help make sure your KSL Classifieds transaction is authentic and safe, we put together a list of common scams and best practices to avoid them.

Payment

The easiest way to avoid a scam is to deal in cash and make the transaction in person. Here are a few things to watch out for on the financial side:

• Is the offer simply too good to be true? Don’t let a stranger’s apparent generosity cloud your judgment.
• Buyer/Seller says that KSL will handle the payment. KSL Classifieds does not currently use or endorse any online payment company.
• Seller or buyer says that KSL offers a purchase protection or warranty program. We don’t.
• The old fake-cashier's-check trick.
• Wire service payment via Western Union or MoneyGram is usually a red flag. Wire scammers often use high-value items such as laptops, TVs, cell phones, apartments or tickets as bait and may say they’re "relocating" or "travelling" and need you to wire money overseas.
• Combining a few of the tactics above, a scammer may send a cashier's check for an amount way more than your asking price, saying they trust you, then ask you to wire the overpayment back to them via money transfer service.
• The seller asks for a partial payment up front, after which they will ship the goods. You probably shouldn’t even trust a blood relative who says this, much less a stranger.

Communication

You can get a good feel for if everything is on the up and up as you communicate with a buyer or seller. Scammers can reveal themselves in the listing itself, in their response to a listing or as you arrange the transaction. Some telltale signs:

• The phone number or other contact info listed with the ad isn’t working.
• Buyer or seller says they’re currently out of the country.
• Email inquiry is poorly written, generic, or strange-sounding.
• Scammer says they “can’t talk on the phone.” Text and email are usually fine, but be wary if a person refuse to talk on the phone, especially about big-ticket items.
• The photos don’t look original. Use a Google Image search (save image; drag & drop into to images.google.com) to see if the seller just downloaded some pictures from the internet to use in their ad. Some legit sellers will include a stock photo of their item, but there should also be a photo of the fridge in their garage, for example.
• You might get an official-looking email claiming to be from KSL saying they want to handle payments. We don’t currently do this. When in doubt, contact classifieds@ksl.com. (We usually respond within one business day.)

Transaction

Besides dealing in cash, the main way to ensure a fair classifieds transaction is to make the exchange in person. Here are a few recurring tactics from would-be hustlers:

• Buyer/Seller explains that a third party or service will pick up/deliver the item. As with third-party payment systems, KSL Classifieds does not currently use or endorse any third-party pick-up/delivery services.
• The buyer/seller is multiple states away. Most KSL Classifieds transactions happen in Utah and surrounding states. Any transaction multiple states away warrants an extra level of scrutiny.
• The buyer or seller is claiming a transaction is “guaranteed,” or they are using a third party to provide payment or protection.
• A hustler will often push hard, saying things like, “I’ve got 20 other people looking at this motorcycle!” Yes, some things sell fast and there is often some urgency, but if someone is exaggerating this much they might have something to hide.

Remember, these are the worst cases — exceptions rather than the rule. KSL Classifieds is the most trusted online classifieds in the region. And seriously, where else are you going to find a used Cobalt Blue Vitamix in great condition?

Check out the rest of our Classifieds how-to’s:

Creating the perfect listing to sell quickly

The Price is Right: E-value-ating items on KSL Classifieds

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