Caution! Fraudulent buyers try to rip off credit codes. We explain what is happening, why it is expensive and how you can protect yourself from it!
The most important thing about the credit code fraud trap in brief:
- Fraudulent buyers talk about verification code
- Code comes to the seller’s smartphone via SMS
- DO NOT give the code to the fraudulent buyer
The case: You sell an item via a classifieds portal. An interested party gets in touch, a deal is reached and at the end the contact details, including telephone numbers, are exchanged in order to complete the sale.
What happens next, however, is fatal because the buyer has no interest in the item and is instead deceiving the seller. The fraudulent buyer claims to want to pay via PayPal and the seller would have to verify themselves using a code. This code would be communicated to the seller via SMS and the seller would then have to tell the buyer the code.
[mk_ad]
Nice try - bad trap!
No matter what the buyer claims: This is NOT some kind of verification code between two trading partners, but rather a credit code. Whoever has the code will receive the credit at the end. However, the recipient of the SMS has to pay. And if they hand the code over to third parties, that is problematic.
We have a current chat history on this topic. From this history you can see how the fraudulent seller is trying to deceive the buyer. The following conversation occurred after a sale on eBay classifieds . It all started when the fraudulent buyer asked if the seller used PayPal. This was confirmed, then it started:
[mk_ad]
Buyer:
You will now receive a security code from PayPal. This is to protect against scammers, is it okay for them? lgSeller:
I don't even know that!Buyer:
Only valid for payment confirmation.Salesman:
I've never heard of it, how does it work, can you explain it to me? Who does the code come from and where?Buyer:
From PayPal and receive a code via SMS. Used to confirm paymentSeller:
That would be really cool, then you would have security.Buyer:
I'll send it out now.Seller:
And then what do I do with the code?Buyer:
Just tell me the code.
Note: Spelling errors from the original have been corrected. Cover photo recreated, based on corrected version.
Be careful with credit codes!
If the seller had issued these codes at this point, he would have suffered financial loss because the fraudulent buyer would have redeemed these credit codes for his own benefit.
Basically, you have to be skeptical if you receive any codes via SMS and pass them on to third parties. There are various portals that work with redeemable credit codes, but in the end they all work similarly.
The third-party block, for example, offers important protection. This applies to all forms of payment that ultimately bill you via the telephone bill and claim the amounts there. Anyone who has set up a third-party lock can prevent this.
For everyone else: think first – then click! It's best to always be informed about current fraud methods.
This might also be of interest:
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

