Ever buy a CTA pass on craigslist? (Chicago: credit card, buying)

[Swisha2k]

Are there any scams that I should be aware of regarding the monthly CTA passes? Some guy is selling his pass (still in the plastic) for $60 bucks.

[Avengerfire]

Hmmm. Did he say why he is selling it? Be very careful.

[Avengerfire]

Look at this crank yanker:

CTA u-pass 4-sale (http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tix/1919008610.html - broken link)

[j33]

I would never buy a cta pass off of craiglist. Seriously, think about it for just a moment.

[OrdoSeclorum]

If people are selling phone cards, stamps or CTA passes they nearly always paid for with stolen credit cards. Mug someone > run to a CTA station to buy transit cards from a kiosk with the stolen credit cards before they are canceled > sell the cards (or stamps, whatever) for cash.

Don't buy them.

[eevee]

^^that's what I was thinking too, pass bought w/ a stolen CC

[JustaChicagoan]

Actually, I was just advising my coworker to sell her $70 CTA card (still in the plastic). She was just promoted and given the Chicacago Cad Plus, which means she doesn't need to do the pay-per-use card any more. So, I'd say go ahead and buy them as long as you can see they're still in the plastic before you exchange money. Sometimes it's just people who dont want to waste the $70 but can't use the cards any more!

[emathias]

Originally Posted by JustaChicagoan

Actually, I was just advising my coworker to sell her $70 CTA card (still in the plastic). She was just promoted and given the Chicacago Cad Plus, which means she doesn't need to do the pay-per-use card any more. So, I'd say go ahead and buy them as long as you can see they're still in the plastic before you exchange money. Sometimes it's just people who dont want to waste the $70 but can't use the cards any more!

I wouldn't buy it unless I saw it work, in a station, at one of the test swipe places.

[CoolSocks]

Originally Posted by JustaChicagoan

Actually, I was just advising my coworker to sell her $70 CTA card (still in the plastic). She was just promoted and given the Chicacago Cad Plus, which means she doesn't need to do the pay-per-use card any more. So, I'd say go ahead and buy them as long as you can see they're still in the plastic before you exchange money. Sometimes it's just people who dont want to waste the $70 but can't use the cards any more!

It's really easy to manipulate pictures and make something look like the item is in its original packaging when it isn't. Even though there are some legitimate people trying to sell their cards, that doesn't make up for the others who are running scams. I guess anyone wanting to buy a card off Craigslist should just use their own judgement, but I wouldn't chance it just to save a few bucks.

[nidex]

Craigslist is a hit or miss with most things. I buy a decent amount of stuff off of it, mostly cars, but it's like a game to see if what you're buying is a scam, or legit. I will say that Craigslist has made me a pretty good judge of character.

If you are still considering it, I say meet up with the person and analyze every aspect of them. This is what I do when I buy things off CL. Take note of everything- their apperance, their car (if they show up in one), how they talk, and most importantly, their story. If they seem like your normal, non-crazy, non-criminal type of person, you'll probably be okay. If anything seems strange, walk away.