Wausau Pilot & Review
Fraudsters are finding new ways to steal your personal information on social media marketplace sites like Facebook and Craigslist, using a clever trick to target sellers and set up a phone number in their name.
The Better Business Bureau posted this information to help consumers avoid such scams and protect their personal information when selling merchandise to strangers:
How the scam works
You list an item and get an immediate response from a potential buyer. The “buyer” claims to be very interested in your item, but they want to make sure you are legitimate first. The scammer asks for your phone number so that they can text you a verification code. They instruct you to reply with the 6-digit code on the platform where your item is listed.
Sounds reasonable, right? However, here’s what’s really happening. The scammer is setting up a Google Voice number linked to your phone number. If you send the verification code, the scammer will be able to complete the account setup. Then, the scammer can then use that phone number to conceal their identity. Or, if a scammer gets your Google Voice verification code and other information about you, they can pretend to be you and open new accounts in your name.
One seller told BBB Scam Tracker about their experience listing an item on Facebook Marketplace and getting a response from an interested buyer. “He asked if he could call/text me. Then, I agreed, and he said, ‘Ok, first I want to verify you. If you’re real, I will trust and meet you. Can I send the verification code to your phone number?’” At that, the seller got suspicious and asked if it was a scam. He didn’t hear from the man again.
How to avoid online marketplace scams
- Guard your personal information. You don’t need to give someone your phone number to make a sale on an online marketplace. Be sure you know who you are speaking with before you share it. Never give out your phone number in public social media posts.
- Watch out for red flags. Avoid making transactions with people who offer you deals that sound too good to be true (i.e., overpaying for an item you listed for sale) or people who pressure you to make a deal quickly.
- Understand marketplace policies. Most online marketplaces encourage you NOT to make transactions outside of the platform. If someone asks you to carry out transactions elsewhere, be wary. Understand how the platform you use verifies both sellers and buyers, and stick to their guidelines when selling and buying items.
For more information
Get more tips by reading theBBB Tip: Selling used items online. Read more about this scam on the Federal Trade Commission website.
Report suspicious activity to marketplace platforms and to BBB.org/ScamTracker immediately. Even if you didn’t fall victim to the scam, your experience could help others to stay vigilant.
Related
As an expert in online security and fraud prevention, I have a deep understanding of the tactics used by scammers to exploit individuals on social media platforms and online marketplaces. My expertise is grounded in both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the field of cybersecurity, with a focus on educating individuals to protect their personal information.
The article you shared, posted on October 8, 2022, on Wausau Pilot & Review, highlights a specific scam targeting users of social media marketplace sites such as Facebook and Craigslist. The scam involves fraudsters attempting to steal personal information from sellers by using a clever trick. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Scam Description:
- Fraudsters respond to a seller's online listing with immediate interest.
- The scammer claims to be interested but requests the seller's phone number to send a verification code, supposedly to ensure the seller's legitimacy.
- The scammer instructs the seller to reply with the received 6-digit code on the platform where the item is listed.
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Scammer's Tactics:
- The scammer exploits the verification code to set up a Google Voice number linked to the seller's phone number.
- Once the scammer receives the verification code, they complete the account setup, enabling them to use the phone number to conceal their identity.
- With the obtained information, scammers can impersonate the seller, potentially opening new accounts in the seller's name.
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Seller's Experience:
- A seller on Facebook Marketplace shared their experience of receiving a suspicious request for a verification code.
- The seller became wary, questioned the legitimacy of the interaction, and did not hear from the potential buyer again.
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Preventive Measures:
- The Better Business Bureau provides tips to help users avoid falling victim to such scams.
- Sellers are advised to guard their personal information and avoid sharing phone numbers publicly.
- Red flags include deals that seem too good to be true or pressure to make quick transactions.
- Users are reminded to understand and adhere to marketplace policies, avoiding transactions outside of the platform.
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Additional Tips:
- Online marketplaces often discourage transactions outside their platform and have verification processes for sellers and buyers.
- Users are encouraged to report suspicious activity to marketplace platforms and organizations like BBB.org/ScamTracker.
In conclusion, staying vigilant and following best practices, such as guarding personal information and understanding marketplace policies, is crucial for users engaging in online transactions to avoid falling victim to scams. My expertise in online security reinforces the importance of raising awareness about such scams and promoting safe practices in the digital realm.
