In today’s digital age, it’s easier than ever to buy and sell goods online.

For example, on Facebook Marketplace, shoppers and sellers can quickly and easily access a marketplace full of pre-loved items that are ready to be re-homed.

But with the rise of online transactions also comes the risk of being scammed by an opportunistic fraudster. And it’s happened to one Facebook Marketplace user recently, who’s now taken to the internet to warn others of her fate.

Michel Janse shared a video about her experience, which has since gained over 1.3 million views on social media.

In her video, Janse explained how an initial conversation with a potential furniture buyer started off normally but then took an unexpected turn.

One woman warned users of a scam that’s going around on the platform. Image source: TikTok/@michel.c.janse (left), Google Voice (right).

'For my safety, I just want to confirm that you’re a real person,' said the buyer. 'Are you ok if I voice call you from Google?'

This made Janse suspicious, but nevertheless, she still provided the individual with her phone number. She soon discovered that the buyer was a fraudster who had used Janse’s number to create a Google Voice number linked to it, all with the aim of scamming other people.

According to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), it wasn’t just her phone number that the scammers were after.

'If they get enough of your information, they could pretend to be you to access your accounts or open new accounts in your name,' the FTC explained.

Fortunately, Janse was able to once again reclaim her Google Voice number after realising what had happened.

Thousands of users commented on Jane’s video thanking her for sharing her experience:

'I actually have never heard of this, so thank you for sharing. So glad you were able to get things back,' one commented.

'As someone who just started using Facebook Marketplace, thank you for this warning … I could’ve fell for it,' another replied.

Others who have heard about and fallen victim to the same type of scam have also shared their experience.

'I have heard of this. I always tell them I prefer to keep communication on Facebook Messenger and they never write back,' one shared.

While another wrote: 'Happened to me too. I no longer have access to my Facebook.'

You can watch Michel’s full video below:

Source: TikTok/@michel.c.janse.

In similar news, a Sydney mum named Paige had innocently listed her garden furniture on Facebook Marketplace after her young family moved to a new home.

Within a few minutes, a seemingly interested buyer, using the name ‘Rosi’, contacted her.

Little did Paige know that she was being pushed straight into a trap. You can read the rest of this story here.

Data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) showed that Australians lost more than $3 billion to scammers in 2022.

Moreover, the national survey discovered that over 52 per cent of Australians have been scammed, with some scammed multiple times. Alarmingly, 66 per cent of those victims have never reported this to proper authorities, which means around 6.7 million Aussies have not been compensated or supported after being scammed.

Rob Neely, Sell Securely Founder and Director, noted that an increasing number of these scams occur on social media, particularly on Facebook and its Marketplace feature, with 45 per cent of Aussies scammed on social media messaging platforms and marketplaces.

To protect yourself from falling prey to these types of scams, Needly advised everyone to:

• Use secure platforms that hold transactions in escrow until both parties are satisfied.
• If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious, and don't feel pressured to send deposits quickly.
• Verify the person’s identity by asking for identification and making sure their account is legitimate.
• Lastly, if you do find yourself caught in a scam, Neely implores you to report it—especially to the ACCC, no matter how small the loss might be.

Tip

You can report scams to the ACCC through Scamwatch by clicking this link.

Key Takeaways

• A woman has warned people of a scam on Facebook Marketplace through a video shared on social media.
  
• She revealed that she was tricked into sharing her personal details with the scammer, who then created a Google Voice account using her number.
  
• Rob Neely, Sell Securely Founder and Director, advised people to be wary of such scams.
• Victims of such scams can still reclaim their Google Voice number, and instances of suspected scams should be reported to Scamwatch through this link.
  

Members, have you experienced something similar on Facebook Marketplace? Share your experience with us in the comments below!

 

[sharyn13]

Yes and facebook advertisement are often scammers as well. However they do sometimes have good ideas - and I copy the name and look on ebay, and often the item is there and cheaper. I use Paypal to purchase. I receive the item and feel it is more secure. If faulty I have the option to return.

Good advice