Be aware; don't become a victim of fraud

Charitable SolicitationThe Operator does not monitor the accuracy or reliability of charitable solicitations appearing on the Site. The Operator does not endorse nor is responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any request/solicitation or the ultimate use or expenditures of any charitable contributions. If you have questions as to whether a charity is properly registered with the State of Utah, click here or you may contact the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at (801) 530-6601.

More Information About Fraud

Users of KSL Classifieds may receive fraudulent offers for the items they have listed.

Please watch for the following signs of obvious scammers:

1. Phone number listed is wrong.
2. Buyer or seller explains that they are currently out of the country.
3. Buyer offers to pay with a money order or cashiers check for significantly more than the asked for price. Seller asks to have money wired to them or paid via an online service.
4. Buyer or seller explains that a third party or service will pick up or deliver the item.
5. Email inquiry is poorly written, generic, or strange sounding.
6. Offer is simply too good to be true.
7. Seller or Buyer says that KSL will handle the transaction. KSL is NEVER involved in any transaction between buyer and seller. Nor are we associated with any online payment company. Anyone who claims otherwise is a scammer.
8. Seller or Buyer says that KSL offers a purchase protection or warranty program. KSL DOES NOT offer any type of purchase protection or warranty program nor do we partner with any third parties to offer such program. Anyone who claims otherwise is a scammer.

Individuals from outside the United States will often respond to or post ads on various classified web sites. These offers are most common with big ticket items such as major appliances, ATVs, cars and trucks, or other large items. The individuals will often claim they are from The United Kingdom, Greece or any number of different countries. These offers usually take the form of email, but please be aware that they have also been know to use TTY (a relay phone service for the deaf) and other means.

Typically they agree to purchase your item and send counterfeit cashiers checks or money orders (often without verification that you will sell the item) in amounts exceeding the asked price. They then request that the extra money be returned to them via a legitimate means usually Western Union.

By the time the bank discovers the fraud and reverses the deposited check or money order, the excess money has usually already been sent to the fraudulent buyer, and the item may have been shipped. In every instance the bank will pass the loss back to you, who deposited the counterfeit check This means you are accountable for the cash sent as well as any fees, and likely will not be able to retrieve your item if it has shipped.

Users should understand that KSL Classifieds is meant to be a LOCAL service. All offers should be considered carefully, especially any offers received from outside of Utah and the immediately surrounding areas. These fraud schemes should not deter users from using the Internet as a place to sell and buy goods. Users should feel completely safe in placing classified ads, but should use wisdom in offers received from interested parties.

These messages are simply an annoyance, and cannot harm you if you don't respond to them. If you are suspicious please let them know that you are not interested (or just ignore their offer). It is not necessary to forward or relay these messages to KSL. However if you feel compelled to report these incidents to the authorities you can reach the websites of the Internet Crime Complaint Center through the link below.

Internet Crime Complaint Center

We are actively blocking access to KSL Classifieds from some areas outside the U.S. We have also removed email addresses from the ads, requiring a buyer to contact a seller directly by phone or through us. Please be assured, we are doing our best to alleviate this problem. To find out how to keep from being ripped off, click HERE.