Scammers Target Oberlin Classifieds Sellers

The Office of Communications is writing to alert the Oberlin community that scammers have recently targeted individuals selling items on Oberlin Classifieds. The scammers are agreeing to purchase items from legitimate users of Oberlin Classifieds, then sending payment in the form of teller checks and/or money orders in amounts significantly larger than that agreed upon. The scammers ask the sellers to deposit the funds and return to them the balance. Only later do the sellers find out that the teller checks/money orders are fraudulent.

When using Oberlin Classifieds or any online marketplace, please follow e-commerce safety guidelines as recommended by craigslist:

• Deal locally with people you can meet in person.
• Never wire funds via Western Union, Moneygram, or other wire service.
• Do not accept cashier checks, money orders, or teller checks.
• Never give out such financial information as bank account and Social Security numbers, eBay/PayPal info, etc.

Visit craigslist’s About Scams webpage for more information about how to protect yourself from online scammers.

If you do correspond with an Oberlin Classifieds user whose actions are suspicious, contact the Office of Safety and Security at (440) 775-8444.