Selling and buying through classifieds sites has become routine. Fraudsters know it, and they keep devising new schemes.
The “buyer wants to pay through delivery” scheme
A “buyer” writes that he is ready to buy an item and asks you to accept payment via a link “from the delivery service”. The link leads to a fake site where you are asked to enter your card details. Instead of receiving money, you lose yours.
What to do: no delivery service requires the seller to enter their card details to receive payment. Do not follow such links.
The “prepayment” scheme
A seller asks for part of the money in advance and then disappears. This is especially common with electronics or cars sold at a low price.
What to do: do not transfer a prepayment to strangers. Check the item on receipt.
The “let’s move to another messenger” scheme
Fraudsters try to move the conversation from the platform to a messenger where there is no protection.
Safety rules
- Communicate inside the platform.
- Do not give out codes from messages or card details.
- To receive money, the card number is enough, not the expiry date and CVV.
- Check the profile: reviews, account age.
- A suspiciously low price is a reason to be wary.
If you have been deceived, keep the correspondence, tell the platform’s support and the police.
