The State Criminal Police Office and the Rhineland-Palatinate Consumer Center provide information about the most common scams.

Scam: buyer protection trick

While looking for a router, a consumer found what he was looking for on eBay classifieds. The seller asked to pay via PayPal and pointed out that the “send money to friends and family” option was cheaper and faster. The money was transferred via the desired option, but the router never arrived at the interested party and the seller was no longer available afterwards.

The consumer could not rely on PayPal's buyer protection, as buyer protection is only granted for transactions with the “Send money for goods and services” option. Buyer protection does not apply to the “Send money to friends and family” option.

Scam: transport cost trick

In another scam, fraudsters try to fraudulently claim transportation costs. A consumer listed a piano for sale on eBay classifieds. The alleged prospective buyer claimed that he was unable to personally attend the appointment to collect and pay for the goods due to a stay abroad. He offered to transfer the purchase price and the associated transport costs to the consumer's bank account and to commission a shipping company to collect the goods.

A short time later, the seller received an email confirming that the purchase price, including collection costs, had been debited from the buyer's account. In another email, the buyer asked the consumer to pay the shipping costs to a shipping company. However, the alleged transfer confirmation was fake. The amount was never credited to the seller's account and the amount he transferred to the alleged shipping company could no longer be reversed.

Scam: ID card trick

You shouldn't be blinded by the seemingly serious legitimacy of sellers. A consumer discovered a games console for 500 euros on eBay classifieds. The seller identified himself with a photo of “his” ID card, whereupon the consumer paid the purchase price via real-time transfer. The console never arrived and the seller could no longer be reached.

Abuse of the “Secure Pay” function: The so-called “Secure Payment” on eBay classifieds is intended to protect sellers and prospective buyers. The buyer transfers the purchase price to an eBay classifieds payment service provider. The seller is informed that the money has been received and can send the goods off. As soon as the goods have been received by the buyer, the buyer confirms receipt of the goods and the seller receives his money.

But criminals also exploit this seemingly safe option. They send messages via SMS or messenger services and suggest “Pay securely” as a payment option. However, the message contains a link to a fake website. Anyone who enters their bank or credit card details will be asked to enter credit card details for authorization, which will then be misused.

consumer advice center and the State Criminal Police Office provide detailed information .

Source: Press portal

You might also be interested in: Fraud through online classifieds: How to protect yourself from dubious providers


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