With the internet
becoming ever more popular each and every day, many internet users have been
exposed or subjected to popular online scams that fraudulent parties use to
rip-off and steal from everyday internet participants. Unfortunately, one area
of the internet where scamming is especially prevalent is in the arena of
online classifieds. Since most online classified communities are free, and
consequently open to the public, scammers inevitably try to pose as legitimate
classified listings in an effort to lure their next victim.
Online
classified communities count on the action of users to help regulate
suspicious listings. By becoming
aware of the types of suspicious activity that scammers use in online
classified marketplaces, users can help to create a more utopian online
marketplace experience for all internet users.
Obviously, popular
scams in the world of online classified advertising usually looks to steal
something of value from an online user. This could include monies in the form
of wired amounts or deposits paid or personal information in the form of
banking or identity information. In the world of online scammers, no classified
category is off-limits. Automotive listings are just as likely to potentially
contain a scammer's listing as are listings for financial services. In order to
protect yourself online, it is critical to educate yourself about popular scams
so that you can be proactive about flagging listings that you come across that
may look suspicious or risky for yourself or other classified users.
The Site Unseen Sale
at Lower Price
For obvious reasons,
one of the more popular forms of online classified scams involves the offer of
a rare, popular or valuable product at a significantly reduced price. This
could include a car for sale at drastically reduced prices, rare and exotic pets
for low cost or other products that seem too good to be true.
With a scam of this
nature, an online scammer offers something of value at a lower price but when
interest is shown the scammer simply requests a "down payment" or
deposit on the item. In many cases the product does not even exist and the
entire scam centers around the interested party's willingness to simply put
"money-down" for the prized item or product for sale.
This scam is
especially popular with cars and other high-end items that could legitimately
carry a higher ticket price and consequently warrant a deposit for the purchase
of the item.
In order to protect
yourself from this type of activity, it is important to make personal contact
with the seller and determine the level of trustworthiness of the individual.
However, more importantly, it is critical that used items being purchased on
classified websites are seen in person and inspected before any purchase is
ever made. At A Classified Marketplace, we exist for local transactions between
reputable sellers. We expect that local online commerce is most efficient when
the conversation carries off the page and into real life. With respect to this,
it is always important to protect your personal safety when dealing with online
classified. For more information on this topic, please click here.
Buy it Quick Scam
In the buy it quick
scam, scammers will try to get you to act fast on the sale of a popular
product. The scammer will create a sense of urgency and will put pressure on
you as the buyer to take advantage of this great opportunity right away. The
only problem is that often times there is no product or the product may be
damaged. This is especially true with listings from another country that are
quick and persistent to follow-up with you on the sale of their classified
goods.
The most obvious way
to extinguish the risk associated with the "Buy it Quick" scam is to
see the product in person. Seeing the item for sale in person allows you to
judge for yourself the quality of what is offered which will allow you to make
an educated offer for the product on your schedule, not on the basis of a
rushed purchase through online channels only.
Foreign Electronic
Scams
Another popular online
scam is the posting of used or new electronics by sellers in foreign countries.
Often times, the scammer will only have contact mediums available through
online chat or email and will be selling a variety of electronic items without
the use of a company website.
With this online
scam, buyers must be cautious about where the seller is located and must
protect themselves by refusing to deposit or wire monies to "hold"
or "reserve" the item. In most cases with this scam, people are
stolen from when scammers receive the money and simply do not send the items.
This is usually followed by the chat or email addresses being shutdown so that
no trace of the scammer can be detected for the regular internet user.
Like most other
scams, this one can be resolved by simply dealing locally online with
legitimate sellers who are willing to meet to let you see items before you
purchase. It is critical to be extremely cautious with any sellers located
overseas who promise electronics at steeply discounted prices. Be aware and
deal in person locally for your electronics needs.
The Seller Excuse
One of the more
popular scamming setups when dealing with public classified listings involves
the use of seller excuses to get an item sold quickly. Often times they will
make a claim that involves something of critical importance like the health of
a loved one or the fact that they just moved locations.
With the seller
excuse scam, the scammers intention is simply to get you to purchase and pay
for the item in question through the creation of trust. Once the buyer's trust
has been gained, the scammer can then try to receive a deposit or payment for
an item without any expectation of sending or delivering on the product end.
As a classified
market participant it is important to stay vigilant with respect to your online
trust. If you do not know someone, it should be obvious to be cautious about
proceeding with the purchase of anything sight-unseen. To resolve issues
related to seller's excuses, simply deal locally and in person when purchasing
from online classified resources.
Fake Protection
Programs
A popular scam that
has been around in online classified communities for some time is the use of
fake protection programs advertised and attached to classified listings. This
scam usually uses the power and reputation of the classified website to trick
users into thinking that deposits or payments made to the seller is protected
by the classified website.
Fake protection
programs are extremely dangerous for regular online users as scammers will go
to great lengths to make it seem that large companies support payment plans or
protection for deposits made to sellers. Unfortunately, with online classifieds
this is simply not the case. Since online classifieds serve to match interested
buyers and sellers, classified websites are not involved in any capacity with
the payment end of the transactions.
In order to protect
against fake protection programs offered by scammers in their classified
listings, classified users must be vigilant in watching out for red flags
attributed to these fake programs. First, users should be cautious if a
classified listing includes branding and corporate logos from other well
respected companies that are used as a means to insure payments. Next, any
listing that offers a payment plan or insurance for deposits should be
suspicious to any classified user. If something looks too good to be true on an
online classified marketplace, it usually is, so proceed accordingly.
Fake Job Listings
The next scam that
unsavory characters use within online classified marketplaces involves fake job
listings online. This scam looks to take advantage of people who are in need of
employment by creating fake job listings. Most often these fake job listings
are for a get-rich-quick type scheme that advertises "work from home"
or other similar job postings.
Once a user expresses
interest in the job listing, the scammer will then either farm for personal
data such as Identity information and banking information or will look to get
users involved in a pyramid scheme that can cause users to be exposed to
financial or identity loss.
In order to avoid
fake job listings, be wary of any postings that offer high income with little
or no work. Additionally, be aware of any job listings that offer work for home
or that allow only telecommuting. When searching for legitimate job postings
look for local businesses that have a representative that you can either meet
before you are hired or who can produce concrete proof of the employment
position.
Critical components to watch out for to avoid
a scammer
Often times, there are red flags in classified postings
that can help users identify suspicious and dangerous postings. Many of these
red flags are easily identifiable and when recognized users should do
everything to quickly stop all communication with the person who created the listing. Some of these red
flags include:
- Listings from foreign sources
- Listings with bad grammar or use of the English language
- Listings that include generic pictures of products offered
- Listings that make up excuses or refuse to talk on the phone or meet in person
- Listings that pressure you into rushing the process of a purchase
- Listings that always have an excuse about why they cannot provide you with more information about their listing
- Listings that require a deposit or payment plans to complete transactions
- Listings that offer very little information about the product or service for sale
With the increase in the popularity of free online
classified markets, it is now more important than ever to be vigilant in
protecting yourself when dealing with strangers in public classified
marketplaces. As you browse local classified ads, be aware of what is being
offered and always protect yourself against any possible intrusion into your
personal or financial privacy.
With online classified marketplaces, the responsibility
for staying safe falls directly on the shoulders of the user. Since it is up to
the user to initiate contact with any online classified listing, it is critical
that users remain committed to protecting all aspect of personal and financial
safety.
As a general rule of thumb, use common sense when dealing
with strangers in online classified communities. If something seems too good to
be true, most times it likely will be a listing that users will want to ignore
or walk away from all together. Be smart with your financial and personal
information and use online classifieds safely through the power of local
commerce, meeting and dealing with people in a local capacity for the products
and services that fit your needs.
Are you looking for a great resource for your online classified needs? The user-friendly interface at A Classified Marketplace makes it easy to create, manage and promote your local classified listings for maximum exposure. Have you tried A Classified Marketplace yet? Create your free promotions today with ease!
