Getting scammed
By courtknee525
@courtknee525 (3742)
United States
February 16, 2013 8:00pm CST
So the kittens I saw earlier on craigslist turned out to be a scam. While waiting for the person to get back to me, I ended up finding the same pictures of the kittens on a breeder's website. In the email I ended up giving the woman my name, address, and cell number because I didn't want her to think I was a fake buyer. Turns out she was the fake instead.
But I'm just worried because I gave her my information and I don't want something to happen. I was just wondering if there's anything someone can do when you give them that sort of information. I mean, it's pretty easy to find out someone's address and number on the internet or even phone books so it can't be that bad right? Please help because now I'm really worried :(
1 person likes this
4 responses
@redredrose (1105)
• United States
17 Feb 13
As far as i know you should be okay but never give out that information. Just pick a place in public to meet then only give them your cell number not the home number.Also never give out your home address. Sine you never know what or who is fake online be very careful what information you do give out online because you don't know what is fake and what is real online.
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
17 Feb 13
I unfortunately learned this the hard way. At first I didn't give my name or address but then I figured the seller was real and I ended up giving it so the seller would know I was really an interested buyer. I didn't give my credit card or anything related to my bank account. I don't think they can do anything with just a number and an address because pretty much anyone can find that out.
1 person likes this
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
17 Feb 13
I usually am pretty careful about that but this time I guess I was too trusting. I only gave my address and cell, I don't think anything can really be done with that..hopefully. I don't even know where the seller lives because I just did some searching on the internet and found multiple facebook accounts with each account only having one posting in the marketplace. Each one was for a puppy or a kitten. I don't know what this woman is up to but I hope I'm ok.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
19 Feb 13
I think you should be fine.
Just in case, keep a lookout on people hanging around your garbage. Or make sure that you shred any document that would have your other information before you throw it out in the garbage. Or be wary about giving more information even if it was a different person or a different site.
I think that information could only be a problem if it were combined with another, say like a birthday, social security number, credit card number etc.
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
21 Feb 13
I think I'll be fine too. I've asked a bunch of people and they all think the same. Luckily, I live in a gated community so if anyone tries to come to my house, the front gate will call first. I didn't give away anything related to my bank account, social, or credit card so hopefully nothing happens.
@chicksdigscars (5483)
•
18 Feb 13
To be honest I don’t think they can do a lot with that information.
You could report their email address and advert details for fraud and scam anyway so that they get taken care of, but it’s mainly only card and bank details to be wary of. Your address and phone number I highly doubt they could do a terrible lot with. These people probably get hundreds of emails a day from their fake adverts. They are looking for people willing to hand over bank or card details or make payments through paypal or money transfers. Your address and phone number would be nothing to them. Email the girl/boy back and say you are aware it is a scam and you have forwarded their details and email address onto the authorities for scam and fraud. This usually scares them and they delete the email address. Therefore they won’t have your details anymore either.
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
19 Feb 13
I didn't think they could do much with that info but I just wanted to get some more opinions to make me feel better lol. I contacted the actual breeder of the kittens to let her know someone was scamming people using photos from her site and she reported the person. I also emailed the person letting them know that I was on to them and I threatened that I was reporting them. I didn't give out any information related to money, credit cards, or my bank. I thought the address and phone number is almost like public information and pretty much anyone can find out an address.
