Planning a holiday can be tricky, especially when you're on a tight budget. That's why some of us jump at the chance to make extra money by selling unwanted items around the house.

However, Sarah, a 24-year-old, found out the hard way that there are dangers when trying to make a bit of extra money by selling items online.

'I'd saved for a European holiday, and I had this old dress lying around, so I thought I'd try to sell it on Facebook Marketplace to cover some of the costs,' she told a news outlet.

'Things seemed too good to be true when a buyer contacted me quickly, and we agreed on the price fairly easily. In hindsight, this should have been a warning sign–she was just a little bit too keen, and the exchange was almost too easy.'

Sarah tried to sell a dress on Facebook Marketplace but fell for a scam instead. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

So Sarah agreed to the sale and allowed the buyer's daughter to collect it. What happened next shook her to the core.

'I got an email from what I thought was PayPal,' she recalls. 'It said the money had been sent to my account–but that the account limit needed to be expanded in order for me to be able to receive it.'

Sarah received an email from what she thought was PayPal. Credit: 7news.com

Sarah, thinking that Paypal was a secured platform, didn’t hesitate to follow the prompts in the email and sent an additional $740, as instructed.

Little did she know the email was not from PayPal. She had been scammed–and it cost her $1000. It had all happened in less than a minute.

‘I felt so stupid,’ she expressed. ‘I had always been warned about these things happening, but it all seemed so real! I just didn't think something could happen so fast and to me, you know?’

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reports a 47.9 per cent increase in reports of online shopping scams via social media sites like Facebook in 2022 compared to the previous year.

Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to avoid going through the same thing. PayPal will advise you to refrain from following email links and to always log in through their website.

Paypal advised customers not to follow any email links. Credit: Marques Thomas/Unsplash

The ACCC also suggests taking a look out for the following when using online sales platforms like Facebook Marketplace:

• Beware of sellers or websites selling at very low prices, sometimes lower than similar items on other websites.
• Watch out if the website or seller is new. Knowing how long the seller has been selling and how many items they have sold so far. Read the comments and reviews on the internet (while also noting that there may be fake positive reviews!).
• Many people report losing money after communicating with a scammer over email. Remember that you must always do transactions through a secure platform.
• Opt for secure payment options if available. Use PayPal or Apple/Google Pay rather than your credit card. Scammers often lure customers into using non-secure methods such as wire, bank or international funds transfers, money orders, pre-loaded gift cards and cryptocurrency.
• Change your passwords immediately if you believe your social media accounts have been compromised. You should also check your recent activities, notify your contacts, and ensure your software is current.

Key Takeaways

• Sarah decided to sell an old dress on Facebook Marketplace but fell for a sophisticated online scam, losing $1000.
  
• The buyer seemed too keen, and the transaction was too easy. When the transaction was set, Sarah received an email from what she believed to be PayPal, and she unwittingly followed the scammer’s instructions in the email.
  
• According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), there was a 47.9 per cent increase in reported online shopping scams via social media in 2022 compared to the previous year.
  
• PayPal and the ACCC advise against following email links. Instead, open a browser window, navigate the website, and enter your login info to verify transactions. Be wary when purchasing goods on online platforms to avoid scams.
  

If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Remember that the next time you decide to sell an item online, always proceed cautiously.

If you have suspicions or reservations during online transactions, simply put the listing on hold and report it. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

What do you think of this story, dear members? Have you encountered a similar incident? Share your experience in the comments below!

 

[Bill MacL]

Planning a holiday can be tricky, especially when you're on a tight budget. That's why some of us jump at the chance to make extra money by selling unwanted items around the house.

However, Sarah, a 24-year-old, found out the hard way that there are dangers when trying to make a bit of extra money by selling items online.

'I'd saved for a European holiday, and I had this old dress lying around, so I thought I'd try to sell it on Facebook Marketplace to cover some of the costs,' she told a news outlet.

'Things seemed too good to be true when a buyer contacted me quickly, and we agreed on the price fairly easily. In hindsight, this should have been a warning sign–she was just a little bit too keen, and the exchange was almost too easy.'

View attachment 27425

Sarah tried to sell a dress on Facebook Marketplace but fell for a scam instead. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

So Sarah agreed to the sale and allowed the buyer's daughter to collect it. What happened next shook her to the core.

'I got an email from what I thought was PayPal,' she recalls. 'It said the money had been sent to my account–but that the account limit needed to be expanded in order for me to be able to receive it.'

View attachment 27423

Sarah received an email from what she thought was PayPal. Credit: 7news.com

Sarah, thinking that Paypal was a secured platform, didn’t hesitate to follow the prompts in the email and sent an additional $740, as instructed.

Little did she know the email was not from PayPal. She had been scammed–and it cost her $1000. It had all happened in less than a minute.

‘I felt so stupid,’ she expressed. ‘I had always been warned about these things happening, but it all seemed so real! I just didn't think something could happen so fast and to me, you know?’

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reports a 47.9 per cent increase in reports of online shopping scams via social media sites like Facebook in 2022 compared to the previous year.

Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to avoid going through the same thing. PayPal will advise you to refrain from following email links and to always log in through their website.

View attachment 27424

Paypal advised customers not to follow any email links. Credit: Marques Thomas/Unsplash

The ACCC also suggests taking a look out for the following when using online sales platforms like Facebook Marketplace:

• Beware of sellers or websites selling at very low prices, sometimes lower than similar items on other websites.
• Watch out if the website or seller is new. Knowing how long the seller has been selling and how many items they have sold so far. Read the comments and reviews on the internet (while also noting that there may be fake positive reviews!).
• Many people report losing money after communicating with a scammer over email. Remember that you must always do transactions through a secure platform.
• Opt for secure payment options if available. Use PayPal or Apple/Google Pay rather than your credit card. Scammers often lure customers into using non-secure methods such as wire, bank or international funds transfers, money orders, pre-loaded gift cards and cryptocurrency.
• Change your passwords immediately if you believe your social media accounts have been compromised. You should also check your recent activities, notify your contacts, and ensure your software is current.

Key Takeaways

• Sarah decided to sell an old dress on Facebook Marketplace but fell for a sophisticated online scam, losing $1000.
• The buyer seemed too keen, and the transaction was too easy. When the transaction was set, Sarah received an email from what she believed to be PayPal, and she unwittingly followed the scammer’s instructions in the email.
• According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), there was a 47.9 per cent increase in reported online shopping scams via social media in 2022 compared to the previous year.
• PayPal and the ACCC advise against following email links. Instead, open a browser window, navigate the website, and enter your login info to verify transactions. Be wary when purchasing goods on online platforms to avoid scams.

If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Remember that the next time you decide to sell an item online, always proceed cautiously.

If you have suspicions or reservations during online transactions, simply put the listing on hold and report it. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

What do you think of this story, dear members? Have you encountered a similar incident? Share your experience in the comments below!

How stupid is that? She's the one SELLING, not BUYING. there is no such thing as a limit on putting money INTO an account.

 

[Babbie]

How many times do people have to be told the same thing over and over again. I have no sympathy. I use market place a lot, never had any issues. Customer picks up goods and pays cash only. End of story.

 

[Thecheesequeen]

The grammar is a sure giveaway!

 

[ToniaKisliakov]

Planning a holiday can be tricky, especially when you're on a tight budget. That's why some of us jump at the chance to make extra money by selling unwanted items around the house.

However, Sarah, a 24-year-old, found out the hard way that there are dangers when trying to make a bit of extra money by selling items online.

'I'd saved for a European holiday, and I had this old dress lying around, so I thought I'd try to sell it on Facebook Marketplace to cover some of the costs,' she told a news outlet.

'Things seemed too good to be true when a buyer contacted me quickly, and we agreed on the price fairly easily. In hindsight, this should have been a warning sign–she was just a little bit too keen, and the exchange was almost too easy.'

View attachment 27425

Sarah tried to sell a dress on Facebook Marketplace but fell for a scam instead. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

So Sarah agreed to the sale and allowed the buyer's daughter to collect it. What happened next shook her to the core.

'I got an email from what I thought was PayPal,' she recalls. 'It said the money had been sent to my account–but that the account limit needed to be expanded in order for me to be able to receive it.'

View attachment 27423

Sarah received an email from what she thought was PayPal. Credit: 7news.com

Sarah, thinking that Paypal was a secured platform, didn’t hesitate to follow the prompts in the email and sent an additional $740, as instructed.

Little did she know the email was not from PayPal. She had been scammed–and it cost her $1000. It had all happened in less than a minute.

‘I felt so stupid,’ she expressed. ‘I had always been warned about these things happening, but it all seemed so real! I just didn't think something could happen so fast and to me, you know?’

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reports a 47.9 per cent increase in reports of online shopping scams via social media sites like Facebook in 2022 compared to the previous year.

Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to avoid going through the same thing. PayPal will advise you to refrain from following email links and to always log in through their website.

View attachment 27424

Paypal advised customers not to follow any email links. Credit: Marques Thomas/Unsplash

The ACCC also suggests taking a look out for the following when using online sales platforms like Facebook Marketplace:

• Beware of sellers or websites selling at very low prices, sometimes lower than similar items on other websites.
• Watch out if the website or seller is new. Knowing how long the seller has been selling and how many items they have sold so far. Read the comments and reviews on the internet (while also noting that there may be fake positive reviews!).
• Many people report losing money after communicating with a scammer over email. Remember that you must always do transactions through a secure platform.
• Opt for secure payment options if available. Use PayPal or Apple/Google Pay rather than your credit card. Scammers often lure customers into using non-secure methods such as wire, bank or international funds transfers, money orders, pre-loaded gift cards and cryptocurrency.
• Change your passwords immediately if you believe your social media accounts have been compromised. You should also check your recent activities, notify your contacts, and ensure your software is current.

Key Takeaways

• Sarah decided to sell an old dress on Facebook Marketplace but fell for a sophisticated online scam, losing $1000.
• The buyer seemed too keen, and the transaction was too easy. When the transaction was set, Sarah received an email from what she believed to be PayPal, and she unwittingly followed the scammer’s instructions in the email.
• According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), there was a 47.9 per cent increase in reported online shopping scams via social media in 2022 compared to the previous year.
• PayPal and the ACCC advise against following email links. Instead, open a browser window, navigate the website, and enter your login info to verify transactions. Be wary when purchasing goods on online platforms to avoid scams.

If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Remember that the next time you decide to sell an item online, always proceed cautiously.

If you have suspicions or reservations during online transactions, simply put the listing on hold and report it. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

What do you think of this story, dear members? Have you encountered a similar incident? Share your experience in the comments below!

 

[ToniaKisliakov]

Fb marketplace, gumtree are well known to have scammers

 

[Pink lion]

unintelligible nugget of what-the-faark, arrived last night in my inbox. there was more, but you get the idea ha ha ha ha

Important Information

We regret to inform you that your acCanada-count has been disabl2598495-Windows.ed due to 2598495-Windows.suspiciou2598495-Windows.s2598495-Windows. activity, To unb2598495-Windows.lock your accoun2598495-Windows.t you need to verify your accoun2598495-Windows.t with the following det2598495-Windows.ails.

 

[Pink lion]

The grammar is a sure giveaway!

Yep, My Gramma always towl"d me tu spiel kurectlee..

 

[MaggieMay1948]

Planning a holiday can be tricky, especially when you're on a tight budget. That's why some of us jump at the chance to make extra money by selling unwanted items around the house.

However, Sarah, a 24-year-old, found out the hard way that there are dangers when trying to make a bit of extra money by selling items online.

'I'd saved for a European holiday, and I had this old dress lying around, so I thought I'd try to sell it on Facebook Marketplace to cover some of the costs,' she told a news outlet.

'Things seemed too good to be true when a buyer contacted me quickly, and we agreed on the price fairly easily. In hindsight, this should have been a warning sign–she was just a little bit too keen, and the exchange was almost too easy.'

View attachment 27425

Sarah tried to sell a dress on Facebook Marketplace but fell for a scam instead. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

So Sarah agreed to the sale and allowed the buyer's daughter to collect it. What happened next shook her to the core.

'I got an email from what I thought was PayPal,' she recalls. 'It said the money had been sent to my account–but that the account limit needed to be expanded in order for me to be able to receive it.'

View attachment 27423

Sarah received an email from what she thought was PayPal. Credit: 7news.com

Sarah, thinking that Paypal was a secured platform, didn’t hesitate to follow the prompts in the email and sent an additional $740, as instructed.

Little did she know the email was not from PayPal. She had been scammed–and it cost her $1000. It had all happened in less than a minute.

‘I felt so stupid,’ she expressed. ‘I had always been warned about these things happening, but it all seemed so real! I just didn't think something could happen so fast and to me, you know?’

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reports a 47.9 per cent increase in reports of online shopping scams via social media sites like Facebook in 2022 compared to the previous year.

Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to avoid going through the same thing. PayPal will advise you to refrain from following email links and to always log in through their website.

View attachment 27424

Paypal advised customers not to follow any email links. Credit: Marques Thomas/Unsplash

The ACCC also suggests taking a look out for the following when using online sales platforms like Facebook Marketplace:

• Beware of sellers or websites selling at very low prices, sometimes lower than similar items on other websites.
• Watch out if the website or seller is new. Knowing how long the seller has been selling and how many items they have sold so far. Read the comments and reviews on the internet (while also noting that there may be fake positive reviews!).
• Many people report losing money after communicating with a scammer over email. Remember that you must always do transactions through a secure platform.
• Opt for secure payment options if available. Use PayPal or Apple/Google Pay rather than your credit card. Scammers often lure customers into using non-secure methods such as wire, bank or international funds transfers, money orders, pre-loaded gift cards and cryptocurrency.
• Change your passwords immediately if you believe your social media accounts have been compromised. You should also check your recent activities, notify your contacts, and ensure your software is current.

Key Takeaways

• Sarah decided to sell an old dress on Facebook Marketplace but fell for a sophisticated online scam, losing $1000.
• The buyer seemed too keen, and the transaction was too easy. When the transaction was set, Sarah received an email from what she believed to be PayPal, and she unwittingly followed the scammer’s instructions in the email.
• According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), there was a 47.9 per cent increase in reported online shopping scams via social media in 2022 compared to the previous year.
• PayPal and the ACCC advise against following email links. Instead, open a browser window, navigate the website, and enter your login info to verify transactions. Be wary when purchasing goods on online platforms to avoid scams.

If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Remember that the next time you decide to sell an item online, always proceed cautiously.

If you have suspicions or reservations during online transactions, simply put the listing on hold and report it. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

What do you think of this story, dear members? Have you encountered a similar incident? Share your experience in the comments below!

If you can avoid it NEVER, EVER use Marketplace for buying or selling. Avoid it at all costs. It is absolutely chock full of scammers.

If you're unsure, always drill down into the person's profile. You will find loads are overseas and have no genuine profile. BEWARE!

 

[Babbie]

If you can avoid it NEVER, EVER use Marketplace for buying or selling. Avoid it at all costs. It is absolutely chock full of scammers.

If you're unsure, always drill down into the person's profile. You will find loads are overseas and have no genuine profile. BEWARE!

Market place is fine. I use it and never had problems. Not everyone is stupid. Use common sense as you do with everything.

 

[Retnyapi]

Market place is fine. I use it and never had problems. Not everyone is stupid. Use common sense as you do with everything.

I agree, have sold 500+ items on marketplace with no problems. Many using Payid which has been given a bad wrap unfortunately. 99% of the time a payment via Payid is done in a few minutes, much easier than BSB/Account number transfers.

 

[Miss Chris]

I’d be interested to know how old this lady is…..I only ask because that email is full of glaring English language mistakes which I think just about anyone would pick up on…….never mind the part about HER being told to DEPOSIT money into her own account because there is a limit on the amount of money that can be deposited……How on earth could she think that’s okay when she was the seller………I’m sure this lady has learned a lesson ….but ?????

 

[GillyH]

Marketplace is a prime place for scammers these days. We were selling 2 items. Contact was made very quickly. My niece or Uncle with pick up. Payment by PAYPAL. I checked out their facebook page,from Overseas. I asked for cash only never heard from them again!

 

[Pink lion]

I’d be interested to know how old this lady is…..I only ask because that email is full of glaring English language mistakes which I think just about anyone would pick up on…….never mind the part about HER being told to DEPOSIT money into her own account because there is a limit on the amount of money that can be deposited……How on earth could she think that’s okay when she was the seller………I’m sure this lady has learned a lesson ….but ?????

I'm highly right brain minded and not at all conversant with the office Johnny Jargon often in the internet. I make mistakes daily in my documents as nobody has ever shown me how to use a pc or a laptop. Maybe she's just like me? LOL

I originally joined this site, just to get used to presenting my opinion online and now after only a few months, I find that it's a normal and an easy thing to do.

I've got heaps of things to market and sell online including sculptures children's books and research natured books, but basically no real clue yet how to do it, but I am starting to get there, there's a lot of scammers about, that's for sure.

The internet is a jungle... luckily everything in the jungle is delicious and nutritious to a lion ... But unless she wakes up to the scammers and learns to protect herself, I don't know she's going to cope. Best to learn by watching and reading, before diving into somewhere you've never been, is my tag on it.

 

[Jaleah]

Planning a holiday can be tricky, especially when you're on a tight budget. That's why some of us jump at the chance to make extra money by selling unwanted items around the house.

However, Sarah, a 24-year-old, found out the hard way that there are dangers when trying to make a bit of extra money by selling items online.

'I'd saved for a European holiday, and I had this old dress lying around, so I thought I'd try to sell it on Facebook Marketplace to cover some of the costs,' she told a news outlet.

'Things seemed too good to be true when a buyer contacted me quickly, and we agreed on the price fairly easily. In hindsight, this should have been a warning sign–she was just a little bit too keen, and the exchange was almost too easy.'

View attachment 27425

Sarah tried to sell a dress on Facebook Marketplace but fell for a scam instead. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

So Sarah agreed to the sale and allowed the buyer's daughter to collect it. What happened next shook her to the core.

'I got an email from what I thought was PayPal,' she recalls. 'It said the money had been sent to my account–but that the account limit needed to be expanded in order for me to be able to receive it.'

View attachment 27423

Sarah received an email from what she thought was PayPal. Credit: 7news.com

Sarah, thinking that Paypal was a secured platform, didn’t hesitate to follow the prompts in the email and sent an additional $740, as instructed.

Little did she know the email was not from PayPal. She had been scammed–and it cost her $1000. It had all happened in less than a minute.

‘I felt so stupid,’ she expressed. ‘I had always been warned about these things happening, but it all seemed so real! I just didn't think something could happen so fast and to me, you know?’

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reports a 47.9 per cent increase in reports of online shopping scams via social media sites like Facebook in 2022 compared to the previous year.

Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to avoid going through the same thing. PayPal will advise you to refrain from following email links and to always log in through their website.

View attachment 27424

Paypal advised customers not to follow any email links. Credit: Marques Thomas/Unsplash

The ACCC also suggests taking a look out for the following when using online sales platforms like Facebook Marketplace:

• Beware of sellers or websites selling at very low prices, sometimes lower than similar items on other websites.
• Watch out if the website or seller is new. Knowing how long the seller has been selling and how many items they have sold so far. Read the comments and reviews on the internet (while also noting that there may be fake positive reviews!).
• Many people report losing money after communicating with a scammer over email. Remember that you must always do transactions through a secure platform.
• Opt for secure payment options if available. Use PayPal or Apple/Google Pay rather than your credit card. Scammers often lure customers into using non-secure methods such as wire, bank or international funds transfers, money orders, pre-loaded gift cards and cryptocurrency.
• Change your passwords immediately if you believe your social media accounts have been compromised. You should also check your recent activities, notify your contacts, and ensure your software is current.

Key Takeaways

• Sarah decided to sell an old dress on Facebook Marketplace but fell for a sophisticated online scam, losing $1000.
• The buyer seemed too keen, and the transaction was too easy. When the transaction was set, Sarah received an email from what she believed to be PayPal, and she unwittingly followed the scammer’s instructions in the email.
• According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), there was a 47.9 per cent increase in reported online shopping scams via social media in 2022 compared to the previous year.
• PayPal and the ACCC advise against following email links. Instead, open a browser window, navigate the website, and enter your login info to verify transactions. Be wary when purchasing goods on online platforms to avoid scams.

If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Remember that the next time you decide to sell an item online, always proceed cautiously.

If you have suspicions or reservations during online transactions, simply put the listing on hold and report it. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

What do you think of this story, dear members? Have you encountered a similar incident? Share your experience in the comments below!

I was selling my car on marketplace and this lady said she wanted to buy it…but she was away on business and said she would send her son to pick the car up. But the way she wanted to pay me was not right, she asked me for my email address and that made me very suspicious, I have never been asked for my email address when buying or selling on marketplace. I blocked her.

 

[evitravel]

How many times do people have to be told the same thing over and over again. I have no sympathy. I use market place a lot, never had any issues. Customer picks up goods and pays cash only. End of story.

That's not always a case. I was selling a new iPhone, we discussed the price, he was to come to pick the phone up from me. He did come, didn't come in, just stood in the doorway, wanted to see the phone before paying, so far all seems good, but then he grabbed it from my hand, ran out into a waiting car and they speed off. I thought like you, to pick up goods and paying cash when they pick it up would be quite safe....