Craigslist_what kind of protection does this give the buyer?

herr_oberst · 04-02-2013, 08:00 AM

I listed a Garmin handheld navigator on CL yesterday, got a few responses, I emailed the first guy and agreed to meet with him later.

Then, he sends me this email

"I forgot to ask you earlier, but, Whenever I buy electronics off craigslist, I like to get a picture of you and your driver's license and have you sign a bill of sale. Just for my protection. I don't need to have a picture of your driver's license, but, I would want to at least write the number down.
I know you said you are selling this for another person, so, I would want his/her name on that bill of sale as well."

Really? This seems like way more potential trouble than it's worth.

WSTBT? (What say the brain trust?)

red911sc · 04-02-2013, 08:08 AM

I would not give out any personal information. Onto the next buyer in line.

YMMV

herr_oberst · 04-02-2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotaBRG

If it turns up stolen it makes it easier for him to direct the cops back to you.

Edit: or he has a nice collection of pictures of guys he has met on CL.

Since it's not stolen I didn't even think about it that way, but of course it makes perfect sense.

gacook · gacook's Garage

I'd give him my name and phone number; nothing more.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Next!

stomachmonkey · 04-02-2013, 09:01 AM

With a DL # you can perform a background search.

A background search can reveal DOB, current and previous addresses etc....

You can also do a Vital Records search which will reveal things like parents names/mothers maiden name.

For that type of search you would need to provide some ID, like in the form of a Government issued photo ID with signature.

Imagine what you can do with those little tidbits of info.

id10t · 04-02-2013, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

With a DL # you can perform a background search.

A background search can reveal DOB, current and previous addresses etc....

You can also do a Vital Records search which will reveal things like parents names/mothers maiden name.

For that type of search you would need to provide some ID, like in the form of a Government issued photo ID with signature.

Imagine what you can do with those little tidbits of info.

Depending on how the issuing state computes the DL number, if you know the algorithm you can reverse it to get DOB and name. Here in Fl, it is based on your name with no vowels, gender, and your date of birth.

Unique ID: Driver's License Analyzer: Florida

herr_oberst · 04-02-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

With a DL # you can perform a background search.

A background search can reveal DOB, current and previous addresses etc....

You can also do a Vital Records search which will reveal things like parents names/mothers maiden name.

For that type of search you would need to provide some ID, like in the form of a Government issued photo ID with signature.

Imagine what you can do with those little tidbits of info.

Exactly what I was thinking. I mean, do people give out this kind of stuff on transactions like this? At first the initial email sounded legit, but then, this caveat to buy pushed the deal into scam territory, at least in my mind.

stomachmonkey · 04-02-2013, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I listed a Garmin handheld navigator on CL yesterday, got a few responses, I emailed the first guy and agreed to meet with him later.

Then, he sends me this email

"I forgot to ask you earlier, but, Whenever I buy electronics off craigslist, I like to get a picture of you and your driver's license and have you sign a bill of sale. Just for my protection. I don't need to have a picture of your driver's license, but, I would want to at least write the number down.
I know you said you are selling this for another person, so, I would want his/her name on that bill of sale as well."

Really? This seems like way more potential trouble than it's worth.

WSTBT? (What say the brain trust?)

Well if he is willing to meet you then do it at the local police station.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

He already has your email. That's all he needs. Maybe phone, but no more than that. I have shown my DL when doing a parking gun deal, but wouldn't let anyone photograph it.

ossiblue · 04-02-2013, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

He already has your email. That's all he needs. Maybe phone, but no more than that. I have shown my DL when doing a parking gun deal, but wouldn't let anyone photograph it.

Yes, he already has plenty of info. He's worried about buying stolen property? He's got a copy of the ad. He's got your email address. He could even have your name and phone number. What more would he need to convince the police that he bought it legally and, if it is stolen, he is an innocent victim.

Hugh R · 04-02-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by id10t

Depending on how the issuing state computes the DL number, if you know the algorithm you can reverse it to get DOB and name. Here in Fl, it is based on your name with no vowels, gender, and your date of birth.

Unique ID: Driver's License Analyzer: Florida

Wow, I had no idea, I thought they were just sequential as they got issued.

Zeke · 04-02-2013, 01:48 PM

Herr, both sides of this argument are right. The buyer might not know about all the bad juju going on in the CL world. I got a reply from a guy yesterday on an ad about a tool. I require a phone number before I will reply. This started back before the emails became more anonymized. The reply had no number but a very good and pertinent question. I told the guy I didn't normally reply to no number mails and he said he wasn't aware that there was ever a problem.

Total novice. They are out there still. 3 of my friends have never sat at a computer.

So, the guy wanting ID is no different than a guy wanting ID and BOS on a high ticket item in older times. I used to give BOSs all the time 20 years ago. I've never much shown my licence as I deal a lot in front of my house outside the locked gates. They know where I live.