SDC Rewards Member
Upgrade yours now
![Jan A](/data/avatars/s/3/3423.jpg?1643408288)
Scammers using Gumtree to trick sellers into revealing their bank and email details
This one is for users of Gumtree Australia. Today I put an ad on Gumtree for 39 large floor tiles to sell with proceeds going to charity. Within 2 seconds of putting my ad on Gumtree, I got an email claiming to be from “SecurB0T212” saying that I “had not completed the verify, which will take no more than 10 minutes” and providing a link to click on. This email was obviously rubbish and I deleted it. Within one second, I got an email purporting to be from “Gumtree Seller Support” saying that someone had bought the tiles, delivery was fully paid for, and I should send my email address “to get information about the payment and buyer information". Note they used the spelling: “emaiL”. I deleted that one and immediately got another similar one claiming to be from “WebSupport”, and telling me the tiles were purchased by Amanda Notar (whoever that is) and the delivery service had been fully paid by the buyer. This email also asked for my “emaiL” address “to get information about the payment and buyer information”. Again, I deleted it. It is a total mystery how anyone could complete such a purchase without knowing who is selling the items and organize delivery without knowing the address where the items are! Clearly this is a scam.
Gumtree is specific that they do not ask for individuals’ email addresses. They prefer all emails to go through their own system. If you advertise on Gumtree, delete any emails that come in saying someone has bought your item. If that was the case, that person would have been in touch with you direct and you would have organized payment between you. There is no intermediary support group for Gumtree.
Be equally wary of people purporting to be buyers but tell you they are away on holidays and cannot pick up from your place. They will want to send a courier. They say they will pay the courier cost and they need your bank account details to put the money into your account so you can pay the courier. They send a link for you to click on. This link will connect to your bank. Your reply to this type of email should be something to the effect that this is not an acceptable procedure and you then delete their emails. Please be aware not to give your email address or any other details to someone requesting them on Gumtree.
Last edited by a moderator: