With its “Pay Securely” function, Ebay Kleinanzeigen wanted to make its sales platform more secure. The buyer transfers the money to an eBay classifieds payment service provider. This informs the seller that payment has been received. The seller sends the goods. When it arrives, the buyer notifies the payment service provider and the seller gets the money. This means that account details do not need to be exchanged.

PRIVATE SALES: HOW FRAUDULANS COLLECT CREDIT CARD DATA

But clever fraudsters trick the payment function.
Example: A tablet should be sold on eBay classifieds. The saleswoman receives a message via a messenger service from an interested party. She suggests the new payment method “Pay Securely”. The seller receives a WhatsApp message, supposedly from Ebay classifieds. This confirms that the buyer has already transferred the money to the payment service provider. It contains a link that the seller should click on to enter her credit card details so that she can get her money. That's the trap.

VIA MESSENGER MESSAGE: LINK TO SCAMMER'S WEBSITE

“The victim clicks on this link and is redirected to an external page that the perpetrator created.”

Marcel Ferraro, Konstanz Police Headquarters

This is how it works here: The saleswoman doesn't suspect anything and clicks on the link that the interested party sent. Everything looks real: she sees the message that the item has been paid for. One click further takes her to a chat in which she helps a supposed Ebay classifieds employee enter her credit card details.

RIP-OFF ON EBAY CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING THROUGH THE CREDIT CARD

The iPad saleswoman enters her credit card details into the perfectly designed scam website. But something isn't working. The lady in the chat repeatedly asks to confirm the data. The saleswoman is surprised and calls her bank. The bank confirms the debits. The saleswoman realizes that she is being scammed and has her credit card company block her credit card.

WHAT IS EBAY CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING DOING AGAINST FRAUD?

The company warns users on its website not to give out private data - neither their cell phone number nor their bank details.
Anyone who only uses the secure payment function on the platform cannot fall victim to this scam. The police advise you to be careful with links.

“I would never click on a link that I received via WhatsApp or SMS. There is a very high risk, probably almost 100 percent, that you will be redirected to a fraudulent website.”

Marcel Ferraro

TIPS FROM THE POLICE TO PROTECT AGAINST THIS SCAM:

• Process payment data exclusively on the site and via the message function of Ebay Classifieds
• Never give out credit card details
• Do not follow payment requests that are not displayed on the Ebay Classifieds website or apps

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF FRAUD:

• Immediately notify your bank (blocking hotline telephone: 116116) and have the credit card blocked.
• Report the matter to the police on 110.
• If login details from eBay Classifieds have also been entered, change them immediately.

Author: Jens Schreglmann
Source: SWR Marktcheck

In line with this topic:

Seven puppies were rescued from illegal trafficking. The little four-legged friends are said to have been just six days old when they were offered on eBay classifieds.

Criminals are using a new trick to try to rip off sellers on Ebay classifieds. Providers are lured with advance payment and a courier service that is supposedly organized by Ebay. All fake!

Fraud: Classifieds platforms in the focus of criminals!


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