Connecticut BBB issues consumer alert about children playhouse listing
Connecticut Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers about a classified ad for the "Sunray Premium Playhouse" on Craigslist.com in Hartford.

WALLINGFORD, CT, February 27, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Connecticut Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers about a classified ad for the "Sunray Premium Playhouse" on Craigslist.com in Hartford.

The article is listed as: "New in Box: Sunray Premium Playhouse for Children - $600 (hartford )."

BBB received a complaint from a man in Central Missouri who said he lost $600 to what appears to be a phony Internet business, myonlionedepot.net. Other consumers have made similar complaints about the company at online complaint Web sites.

The man was directed to myonlinedepot.net and instructed to pay for the item with a "Green Dot MoneyPak" and then transfer the money to the would-be seller via the Internet. MoneyPaks can be purchased in stores across the country and used to transfer money without a bank account.

The Myonlinedepot.net Web site has disappeared, however the ad lists a reply e-mail address for the item at sale-k6wms-1583981181@craigslist.org. Ads for identical playhouses appear in craigslist.com sites in Little Rock, Ark.; Denver, Col.; Fresno, Calif. and several other cities.

Online classified ad scams are a growing concern and prompted craigslist.com to post a warning on its sites on how to avoid fraud.

BBB offers the following tips to protect consumers from Internet thieves:

•Buy only from known, reputable companies.
•Never pay for an item through Western Union, MoneyGram wire transfer, cashier check or similar methods if you are unfamiliar with the business. Pay with a credit card whenever possible in case you need to challenge a purchase or unauthorized charge.
•Check out a vendor's Reliability Report at bbb.org or by calling 203-269-2700.

Press Release Contact Information:

Howard Schwartz
Better Business Bureau CT
Communications Coordinator
94 South Turnpike Rod
Wallingford, Connecticut
USA 06492
Voice: 206-269-2700 ext 103
Website: Visit Our Website