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Even Gumtree has scammers, especially if you're selling something expensive, like a caravan, we had quite a few dodgy (we'll put the money in your account and our friend will collect the van and deliver to us) offers, when you ask for money first, oh, the money will be transferred when their friend collects...yeah, sure!! I waited until real people came to look with real money!
Yes, I recognize that ploy myself, and that's why I now make clear in my Gum Tree ads, local, pick-up only, and cash on collection policy.
Beware of sellers on EBay with zero previous sales advertising high priced goods at low starting prices. Also check out reviews of previous buyers.Scammers are targeting online sellers to defraud Aussies out of millions, warns Scamwatch
As much as we love the conveniences that come with modern technology, there’s no denying that there are some serious risks involved in living our lives online.
These days, it seems like you can’t go more than a week without hearing about some new form of cybercrime or online scam that’s taken advantage of unsuspecting victims.
That’s why it’s so important to be vigilant and informed about the different ways criminals operate online, so you can avoid becoming a victim yourself.
One popular type of scam that has been making the rounds lately is known as the ‘classified scam’. This involves fraudsters using online platforms such as Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace to find potential victims.
A screenshot of a conversation between a seller and a fraudster. Credit: Nine.
They send queries to sellers who posted ads for goods, pretending they are interested in purchasing them. After making contact, the fraudsters will then ask the sellers to make any future communication via private email.
Once correspondence is moved off-platform and into email territory, the fraudster will typically try to get the seller to pay for the item to be delivered to them or provide links directing them to enter their bank details ‘so they can be paid’. Of course, this is all a part of the scam.
According to a spokesperson for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), classified scams cost victims a total of $569,880 between 1 and 25 September. Additionally, there have been 7,511 reports of classified-related scams up to this point, and more than $6 million has been lost since January 1.
The representative remarked: 'This represents a 20 per cent increase of losses compared to the same period a year ago.'
Email and social networking are the two main ways that classified frauds are distributed, Scamwatch watched.
Gumtree also commented on the issue, advising all users to exercise caution while using the website. The company also suggested keeping all communications on its platform wherever possible.
A Gumtree spokesperson said: 'The safety and security of our community is Gumtree's number one priority. Whilst over 99 per cent of trading experiences are safe on Gumtree, it is important to remain vigilant and understand the warning signs so you can protect yourself online.'
'We strongly recommend users not to click on any link that directs them away from the Gumtree website and onto other sites, such as an online payment page or delivery site.'
'Gumtree does not ask for payment or credit card details for the sale of an item, we also have pop-up notices built into the website reminding people to stay on-site.'
'Gumtree also operates a strict report and take-down process and we encourage our users to always report suspicious activity to us via our Help Page or via the Report Ad function on each listing.'
What should you do if you're scammed?
It's a scary thought to have your hard-earned money taken from you, but here are a few things you can do to recover and possibly prevent it from ever happening again:
1. Document your interactions with the scammer. Look at their responses and remember that everything they write is going to be full of spelling and grammar mistakes. Sometimes they will even ‘switch’ the letters A and L or B and O in the way they write. Finishing off every word with a dot is very common too.
2. Report the scammer immediately. Once you realise you've been scammed and you no longer want to continue the interaction, report them immediately and contact your bank, financial institution, or the relevant state or federal body to report the fraud. If it was a money transfer, you may be able to get your money back if you contact your money transfer service provider in time to give them a chance to intervene.
3. If your bank account has been taken over by scammers, contact your bank immediately.
4. Do not give in to pressure to send 'gifts' or to pay a courier/shipping fee to get or 'release' an item to you.
5. Getting back online: You should change any PINs or passwords you use online, from your bank accounts to social media sites.
Stay safe, folks! If you have any more advice or information on scams to share with us, feel free to let us know in the comments.
As soon as he started talking UPS I knew it was a scam so didn't go through with itScammers are targeting online sellers to defraud Aussies out of millions, warns Scamwatch
As much as we love the conveniences that come with modern technology, there’s no denying that there are some serious risks involved in living our lives online.
These days, it seems like you can’t go more than a week without hearing about some new form of cybercrime or online scam that’s taken advantage of unsuspecting victims.
That’s why it’s so important to be vigilant and informed about the different ways criminals operate online, so you can avoid becoming a victim yourself.
One popular type of scam that has been making the rounds lately is known as the ‘classified scam’. This involves fraudsters using online platforms such as Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace to find potential victims.
A screenshot of a conversation between a seller and a fraudster. Credit: Nine.
They send queries to sellers who posted ads for goods, pretending they are interested in purchasing them. After making contact, the fraudsters will then ask the sellers to make any future communication via private email.
Once correspondence is moved off-platform and into email territory, the fraudster will typically try to get the seller to pay for the item to be delivered to them or provide links directing them to enter their bank details ‘so they can be paid’. Of course, this is all a part of the scam.
According to a spokesperson for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), classified scams cost victims a total of $569,880 between 1 and 25 September. Additionally, there have been 7,511 reports of classified-related scams up to this point, and more than $6 million has been lost since January 1.
The representative remarked: 'This represents a 20 per cent increase of losses compared to the same period a year ago.'
Email and social networking are the two main ways that classified frauds are distributed, Scamwatch watched.
Gumtree also commented on the issue, advising all users to exercise caution while using the website. The company also suggested keeping all communications on its platform wherever possible.
A Gumtree spokesperson said: 'The safety and security of our community is Gumtree's number one priority. Whilst over 99 per cent of trading experiences are safe on Gumtree, it is important to remain vigilant and understand the warning signs so you can protect yourself online.'
'We strongly recommend users not to click on any link that directs them away from the Gumtree website and onto other sites, such as an online payment page or delivery site.'
'Gumtree does not ask for payment or credit card details for the sale of an item, we also have pop-up notices built into the website reminding people to stay on-site.'
'Gumtree also operates a strict report and take-down process and we encourage our users to always report suspicious activity to us via our Help Page or via the Report Ad function on each listing.'
What should you do if you're scammed?
It's a scary thought to have your hard-earned money taken from you, but here are a few things you can do to recover and possibly prevent it from ever happening again:
1. Document your interactions with the scammer. Look at their responses and remember that everything they write is going to be full of spelling and grammar mistakes. Sometimes they will even ‘switch’ the letters A and L or B and O in the way they write. Finishing off every word with a dot is very common too.
2. Report the scammer immediately. Once you realise you've been scammed and you no longer want to continue the interaction, report them immediately and contact your bank, financial institution, or the relevant state or federal body to report the fraud. If it was a money transfer, you may be able to get your money back if you contact your money transfer service provider in time to give them a chance to intervene.
3. If your bank account has been taken over by scammers, contact your bank immediately.
4. Do not give in to pressure to send 'gifts' or to pay a courier/shipping fee to get or 'release' an item to you.
5. Getting back online: You should change any PINs or passwords you use online, from your bank accounts to social media sites.
Stay safe, folks! If you have any more advice or information on scams to share with us, feel free to let us know in the comments.
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I have used eBay, and Paypal, with no problems. Have also sold on Gumtree but only cash on pick up.
No issue, just list at a reasonable price. Suspicions are raised when listing starts at $0.99 for a $3,000 camera. I report such listings to EBay and they are quickly taken down. EBay have good buyers support, I guess that’s why they charge 13.5% commission to the seller.
I buy on EBay and sell on Gumtree. One just has to be circumspect. Nearly 1,000 trades so far and have a 100% rating.
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