The most common scams on classified ad sites
Every day, crooks are quick to create more elaborate scams than the last. Classified ad sites are perfect targets, as they are a convenient and cost-effective source for buying and selling items online. Hundreds of people fall into the clever traps set by scammers. In this article, we tell you about the most common scams on classified ad sites and give you our advice on how to avoid falling for them.
1/ International shopping scams :
The first common type of scam is the international purchase scam. In this case, the scammer contacts you to buy an item that you have put up for sale. The item is, or is made to appear to be, located abroad. To pay for your product, he sends you a cheque or international transfer for the amount of the purchase, but this is falsified and you never receive the money.
If scammers are sellers, they use fake or falsified images to fool buyers into buying products that don't exist. Always research the seller before making a purchase, and look at the reviews and comments left by other users. Also check comments on user forums.
It's also important to remember that when an offer seems too good to be true, it's probably a scam.
2/ Advance payment scams :
In this type of scam, fraudsters contact you to buy an item you have listed for sale and ask you to send them the item before receiving payment. Some also ask you to pay the shipping costs or order processing fees before receiving the item.
In most cases, you never receive payment and you lose the item you sold. If the scammer is in the seller's shoes, they will offer to pay in advance for the item you wish to buy. Once the seller has received payment, they disappear and never deliver the promised product.
Also look out for adverts with spelling mistakes. Scammers are notorious for their lack of command of the French language. If you see multiple glaring errors, be wary of the ad.
If you're curious to find out more about online scams, read our articles on theDHL scam or theFacebook Marketplace scam.
3/ Fake ad scams :
In this type of scam, the fraudster advertises a product at a very low price. They'll tell you that they've moved house or are travelling and won't be able to deliver the item in person. They will therefore ask you to send them the cost of transporting the item. In most cases, you will never receive the item and will lose your money.
They may also use phishing techniques to obtain personal and banking information. We do not advise you to use a payment method that offers no guarantees.
Also be wary when you are contacted by someone who is abroad and wants to buy or sell a product or service. If you have any doubts about an advert, trust your instincts and find an alternative.
Secure all your transactions on classified ad sites with Obvy :
Obvy offers a payment method specially designed to secure transactions between private individuals. Whether you're buying or selling between private individuals on ad platforms such as Leboncoin or Vinted, Obvy acts as a trusted third party to help you avoid any scams.
In the event of a counterfeiting scam, you can quickly and easily return the product to the seller and get your money back. What's more, you'll have all the information you need about the seller in the event of legal action.