Craigslist is quickly jumping to the top of the list as a hideout for cheats, liars and scammers. Be hyper-aware if you’re using Craigslist. It doesn’t make any difference if you’re buying or selling.

Don’t let anyone into your home. You may be inviting in a violent criminal. Let’s face it, some of the worst people look completely innocent. Be especially careful if you’re selling small, valuable items. If you must use Craigslist, offer to meet contacts at your local police or sheriff’s office. Never at night, never in a parking lot, never alone — never!

One local consumer was selling two very nice four-wheelers and a high-quality trailer. They were advertised on Craigslist for just under $20K. Within an hour of her ad appearing on Craigslist, she got a call from a phone number in Texas. The “buyer” engaged her in a friendly conversation about four wheeling, telling her how he was a disabled vet and now it was the only way he and his wife could enjoy the great country around their home.

He further went on to explain that this particular model of four-wheeler was exactly what he had been searching for but was having a very difficult time finding two of the same models in great condition with a high-quality trailer. He asked the seller to send him, by email, some pictures of the two four-wheelers, the mileage and photos of the trailer.

Once he received the photos he quickly called back and agreed to buy the entire package — two four-wheelers and the trailer. Earlier in the conversation the buyer explained he was a contractor and did work all over the West.

He said he’d send the seller a cashier’s check, by next-day FedEx from his bank, for the full amount and asked if she’d hold the four-wheelers and trailer for him for a week until he could get up here to pick them up. The buyer told her to go ahead and deposit the cashier’s check in her account. She agreed.

The next day, before noon, FedEx delivered an envelope containing a nice note, signed by both the buyer and his wife, thanking the woman for selling them the four-wheelers and trailer. A couple of hours after receiving the payment, the buyer called the seller and explained one of this employees was going to be in Spokane on some family business and offered to pick up the four-wheelers and trailer, and bring them back to the seller’s home in Texas.

The seller agreed. The buyer asked if they could meet in Spokane during the day in the parking lot of a local well-known grocery store and would she please bring the titles to the four-wheelers and the trailer. She agreed.

It just so happens she called me on another matter and mentioned her good fortune in immediately selling her four-wheelers and trailer — for full price!

I smelled a rat. A BIG rat. I instructed her to call the issuing bank before she deposited the check. She did and guess what? The cashier’s check was counterfeit. Fortunately she had not turned over the items or titles to the crooks.

It turns out the crooks had an inside person in the bank in Texas, a disposable phone, a fake phone number with Texas area code and a disposable email address. She called the police, but by the time law enforcement was able to react, the crooks and their tracks vanished into thin air.

As far as form of payment, always insist on cash. No checks, cashier's checks, money orders or gift cards. All of these may be counterfeit or stolen.

Luckily she didn’t lose any money or her property.

LESSON: Steer clear of Craigslist — for buying or selling. There have actually been robberies, assaults and even murders of innocent users of Craigslist.

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QUICK TIP No. 1: Keep legible copies of all contracts.

QUICK TIP No. 2: Immediately follow up and challenge in writing, all over charges or un-refunded deposits. Don’t wait.

QUICK TIP No. 3: When possible, always pay bills with a credit card, not a debit card. The Federal Trade Commission allows you to place any charge “in contest” if you act quickly.

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KUDOS of the WEEK: The pharmacists at the Super 1 food store located at U.S. 95 and Kathleen Avenue were on their toes and caught a serious prescription error. The mistaken medication could have caused dire medical problems for the unknowing consumer. This happened not once but twice within the same month. The pharmacist was paying attention and knew the prescription was not the normal order for the elderly consumer. Shades of the pharmacy scene in “It’s A Wonderful Life.” If you don’t get the reference — watch the movie.

I always try to use our local merchants. They have made substantial investments, in some cases, millions of dollars to provide our community with locally available goods and services. In addition, they pay taxes and employ our friends and neighbors. Shop locally whenever possible.

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QUICK TIP No. 4: If you use a cellphone as your primary phone, there is usually a way to permanently block certain callers. Call your cellphone providers and have them walk you through the steps or ask them to do it for you. If you can’t figure it out — call me at (208) 699-0506 and I’ll help you.

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A big thank you to the Coeur d’Alene Press for making this column possible. Together we make a stronger and safer community.

Check out my blog www.cdapressconsumerguy.com. “No Solicitation” high quality window stickers are now available.

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I have many more interesting cases that I’m working on as The CDA Press Consumer Guy. Call me at (208) 449-7222, email me at CDAPressConsumerGuy @gmail.com or fax me at (866) 362-9266. Also include your full name and a phone number. I am available to speak about consumerism to schools, and local and civic groups.

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Bill Brooks is the CDA Press Consumer Guy. He is an active Associate Real Estate Broker for Tomlinson-Sotheby’s International Realty in Coeur d’Alene.