Classified ad platforms are practical and popular for quickly getting rid of things you no longer need.

But there are also scammers hanging around there who don't pay for the goods or want your data!

Sales on such platforms usually run smoothly, but as a seller you should exercise caution. Some supposed buyers are more interested in their own benefit than in your goods. Watchlist Internet has listed some tips on how you can recognize scammers and attempted fraud on buyers.

Use the infrastructure of the classifieds platforms

Do not respond to requests to communicate with alleged buyers outside of the classifieds platform. For example, they send you an SMS asking you to write to an external email address or to conduct business via messenger services. Communication via third channels means that you are no longer protected by the security infrastructure of the classifieds platform where suspicious messages are filtered.

No sales abroad

Stop all contact with buyers who explain to you in poor German or English that they are abroad. This is a well-known pattern for classic fraud attempts on classified ad platforms.

Reject excessive money transfer

Do not react if supposed buyers want to transfer you more money than agreed. This should mean that you have to transfer the excess difference abroad for the transport of goods or the like. As a result, you lose your money and - if you send the goods - your goods, because the fraudsters are not interested in buying.

Detect fake emails

If you receive emails from PayPal or banks confirming receipt of money, ignore them and stop all contact with the buyers. The letters are fake. You can easily see this by logging into your PayPal or OnlineBanking account. You notice that there is no money coming in. The fraudsters use the fake messages to try to get you to transfer money for transport abroad.

Do not send shipping notification

If a fake bank email asks you to send the package and send them the shipping notification so that they can forward the purchase price to you, break off contact. In reality, there is no receipt of money. If you send the goods, you lose them.

Ignore check payment

If supposed buyers suggest that they pay you the purchase price by check, do not accept this, because the check is bad and will result in you losing goods or money if you have to transfer an excessive amount of money abroad.

Do not submit copies of your ID card

Never give buyers copies of your ID as security, as this will make you a victim of identity theft. It enables criminals to commit crimes using your name.

Watchlist Internet has also created a short explanatory video on this topic:


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