The most common classified ad fraud methods and how to avoid them

Whether it's a triangle scam, a subscription trap or a collection trick - classified ad scams are no longer a rarity and the methods used by online fraudsters are varied . The gangsters often no longer just try to take your money, but also want to get their hands on your sensitive data. We show you measures you can take to protect yourself from online rip-offs.

Fraud method 1: Triangle trick

In this scam, a user wants to pay for your item by bank transfer and at the same time copies your ad. If you send them your bank details, they will forward them to someone interested in the fake ad. Without knowing it, the third party pays you the money, but the item goes to the scammer. With this trick, there is a good chance that the unknowing third party will report you as a scammer, even though you have done nothing wrong.

How you can protect yourself: Never share your bank details with other users. Kleinanzeigen now offers its own payment method that protects sellers and makes it unnecessary to disclose account details. This also protects you from chargebacks for credit card payments. In addition , buyer protection applies if you as a buyer do not receive goods or receive goods that differ significantly from the description or a counterfeit item.

Fraud method 2: Payment to credit card

With this method, the scammers express their interest in an item via a messenger service, such as WhatsApp. They then say that they want to buy the item using "Secure Payment". This inspires trust because the function actually offers classified ads. The seller then receives an official-looking link to a website where they are asked to enter their credit card details. Of course, no money is given afterwards, but the scammers use the data to withdraw money.

To avoid losing your data in this way, you should never enter your credit card details on external sites after being asked to do so by other users. Also, make your purchases using the classifieds messaging service, which reports suspicious terms to customer service staff. Anyone who has fallen for this scam should block their credit card as soon as possible.

Fraud method 3: False TAN codes

This scam also works very well because there is no personal handover between buyer and seller. The scammers proceed as follows: They show interest in the item and subtly ask whether you would also send the goods. The scammers want to buy the goods via an online payment system such as PayPal and then - supposedly to protect you from scammers - send you a PIN in the form of a TAN code via SMS. You are asked to pass the code on to the buyer. But you should definitely refrain from doing this. In fact, the TAN is a transaction number that authorizes an online payment. So you pay for the goods that the perpetrator has bought. Billing is done via the mobile phone provider.

Fraud method 4: The fake shipping company

This method is also used again and again. The fraudster expresses interest in a bulky product, such as a piece of furniture, a boat or a piano. Since the buyer does not want to pick up the product himself for various reasons (no car, staying abroad, etc.), a shipping company is supposed to take over the transport. The shipping costs, however, are initially to be borne by the seller and transferred to the bank details provided by the buyer. As "proof" of the seriousness, the seller receives an email from a payment service such as PayPal. This is of course fake, but is supposed to prove that the buyer has paid the requested amount including transport costs and will release it as soon as the shipping company has been paid by the seller. It then turns out that the money is gone.

The solution: Users should either insist that the buyer picks up the goods or that they cover the transport costs. It is also not advisable to transfer money.

Fraud method 5: Pickup fraud

The collection fraud method also works very well via PayPal. A prospective buyer responds to your offer and wants to pay via PayPal. They transfer the amount to you and agree that a friend will pick up the item from you. The "friend" turns up and takes the goods. The first user then complains that they have not received the goods despite paying. After returning the money via PayPal, you have lost the money again and your goods. After all, there is no proof that you handed over the goods.

(via www.betrugstest.com )

Conclusion

Scams on classified ads are more common than you might think. But there are some ways to protect yourself from online scammers.

The following steps should be taken to protect yourself in all classified ad purchases and sales:

• Ideally, only hand over money and goods in person and do not pay online.
• Communication with the interested party should take place via the messaging function of classified ads and never via email, WhatsApp or SMS. If the buyer sends you a code via SMS, email or WhatsApp, you should never give it out.
• It is also a good idea never to leave classified ads via external links. The mere presence of external links in an ad text is a reason for suspicion.
• If you want to complete transactions on classified ads with PayPal, stick to the "Goods and Services" payment method (not "Friends and Family" as there is no buyer protection).