A LaPorte woman is out $1,000 after responding to a bogus Craigslist ad. The Oct. 1 posting advertised a Jeep Grand Cherokee for sale. The victim told LaPorte Police she contacted the seller, who said his name was Frank Carter and he told her he was listing the vehicle for his sister.
Carter told the prospective buyer she would need to buy $1,000 worth of Green Dot cards and call him back with the redemption numbers. He told her she could have the Jeep after doing as he instructed. She bought the cards and made the transaction through Amazon, according to authorities. She’s since gotten no response from the “seller” and has called and emailed him to no avail.
Information on the “avoiding scams” page of Craigslist.org urges users of the site to deal locally, face-to-face, to never wire funds and to not purchase items sight unseen. Additionally users of the site are advised to keep personal safety in mind when conducting transactions. Tips for doing so include meeting in a public place like a police station, especially if a transaction involves a high-dollar item. Don’t invite strangers into your home. Always tell a friend or family member where you are going, take your cell phone along and trust your instincts.
