Purchasing Gift Cards from Craigslist
Nov 14, 2013 | 3:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 5
Purchasing Gift Cards from Craigslist
I randomly went on Craigslist a month ago and found a listing for a $1,000 airline (airline undisclosed for security reasons) Gift Card for $600. I was very skeptical about this, but I purchased it anyways. Since then, I have taken 2 flights I booked using that gift card and everything went fine.
The same guy now has a $2,000 gift card for $1,200. This is starting to sound too good to be true. I don't understand how he is getting gift cards in such large amounts.
Would you guys trust this person? Has this happened in the past? Thanks.
The same guy now has a $2,000 gift card for $1,200. This is starting to sound too good to be true. I don't understand how he is getting gift cards in such large amounts.
Would you guys trust this person? Has this happened in the past? Thanks.
Nov 14, 2013 | 3:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NYC / MIA / AMS
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 637
We're they gift cards or E-Certs?
I'm not sure the ins and outs of refundable/cancellable fares, but it could be one of these things where employer pays for F/J/Y/B fare employee down gauges the fare class and takes a credit/cert. (Not sure if totally possible)
I'm not sure the ins and outs of refundable/cancellable fares, but it could be one of these things where employer pays for F/J/Y/B fare employee down gauges the fare class and takes a credit/cert. (Not sure if totally possible)
Nov 14, 2013 | 5:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: All around the world
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 614
I would be very careful with this, I've heard of many people getting scammed buying gift cards on craigslist. You could also put yourself in trouble (I'm not sure about this, I'm no lawyer) if the card has been bought with a stolen cc or if the guy is laundering crime money.
Nov 14, 2013 | 6:04 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Western US
Programs: WN CP, WN A-List Preferred, AS MVPG 75k, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 554
I'd be skeptical of this, I can't think of many reasons why someone would sell GCs at 60% of value on Craigslist.
Besides the previously mentioned travel credit reason, there aren't many reasons why someone would do so. The only other (semi) legitimate reason I can think of is an employee has a travel budget they are assigned for the year, and are buying GCs to submit an airline charge to their employer. If the employer doesn't actually check that said charge is a flight, the seller could theoretically be cashing out their travel fund. The person would still be screwing their employer.
Either way though this sounds beyond sketchy.
Besides the previously mentioned travel credit reason, there aren't many reasons why someone would do so. The only other (semi) legitimate reason I can think of is an employee has a travel budget they are assigned for the year, and are buying GCs to submit an airline charge to their employer. If the employer doesn't actually check that said charge is a flight, the seller could theoretically be cashing out their travel fund. The person would still be screwing their employer.
Either way though this sounds beyond sketchy.
Nov 14, 2013 | 6:57 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
Purchasing Gift Cards from Craigslist
Speaking from personal experience I would advise you not to purchase gift cards from Craigslist. Several years ago I bought some, booked my tickets and then three months later (two weeks before my flight) the tickets for cancelled because the gc came up as fraudulent/stolen. I was out the $300 and I had to repurchase my tickets at a much higher fare. Live and learn...
Nov 14, 2013 | 8:05 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
Bought with a stolen credit card; then month's later either you're stuck no ticket, no gift card, or the airline has been scammed and is coming after you.
Don't forget emails, IDs, phone numbers can all be faked. I can create new email accounts or buy a burner phone. A fake ID costs like $50 for a really good one.
Don't forget emails, IDs, phone numbers can all be faked. I can create new email accounts or buy a burner phone. A fake ID costs like $50 for a really good one.
Nov 14, 2013 | 9:30 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 7,190
Nov 14, 2013 | 10:41 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: FL
Programs: AAdvantage Elite Plat, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz Gold, BA
Posts: 498
Buying stolen good is also a crime and the dealer can implicate the reporter. Don't take anonymity for granted...
Nov 14, 2013 | 11:32 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
Bought with a stolen credit card; then month's later either you're stuck no ticket, no gift card, or the airline has been scammed and is coming after you.
Don't forget emails, IDs, phone numbers can all be faked. I can create new email accounts or buy a burner phone. A fake ID costs like $50 for a really good one.
Don't forget emails, IDs, phone numbers can all be faked. I can create new email accounts or buy a burner phone. A fake ID costs like $50 for a really good one.
Nov 15, 2013 | 10:35 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz 5*, IHG RA, Hyatt Diamond, Amex Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 725
I wouldn't be surprised if this is an scam setup. First one works well and you let your guard down thinking the seller can be trusted. Then they take you for way more than the initial amount.
Nov 15, 2013 | 1:52 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.9MM.. Hilton Diamond, IHG ambassador, other hotel programmes got status
Posts: 3,454
I would never trust something that is too good to be true, after all, why would I sell it on graigs list for less, I am sure someone in my family would use it first
buyer beware...
buyer beware...