Is this a Craigslist scam?

DO NOT DO IT! Yes it is a scam. What they will do is send you a check for more than you are selling your car for, ask you to send them the difference and a couple days later your bank will call you and tell you the check was fake and you will be liable for all the money. DO NOT DO IT!

There is a really weird scam with this sort of thing. You'll want $500 for the car - but the guy will send you a check for $1500 and ask you to send back the remainder!!!!!!!! People actually fall for this - they send back $1000 - and of course the check is no good.

It's odd how many people there are scamming people - and it's also odd how many people fall for these things.

This is what craigslist says to know its a scam

You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules:

* DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.

* NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.

* FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.

* CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"

* NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)

* AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.

Sounds fishy. Always (try to) meet the buyer in person to receive the payment.

exactly what pedro m said.......in the beginning he says an item that is an automated machine to me My friend has also been scam by craigslist exactly what the user above said the check would clear and then call you later and tell you its fake

See how they use the word 'item?' There is no buyer - It is a computer generated scam and they don't care / know who this is sent to.

This sounds like the scam that I fell for.

if you respond, the sender now has your real email address, and you will get pumped full of spam email.

Dont answer it.

that does sound a little fishy....if your that worried tell them your only taking cash and if they dont want to pay...than you'll know its a scam!

Definately a scam...beware!

that dose sound a little bit odd ill put it but im not sure