Marketplace, jobs, rentals and romance · stamped SCAM

The buyer who needs your PayPal emailSCAM

A real scam people fell for this year, next to the real thing. The numbers mark the three things to check: hover or tap one to see what it tells you.

Safe
fMarketplace | Facebook×
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/inbox
KitchenAid stand mixer · £180Tom Ashworth · Marketplace
Hi, is the mixer still available? Could I collect it tomorrow after work?9:41
Yes, after 6 is fine9:42
Perfect. I'll pay you on PayPal when I'm there, once I've seen it working. What's your username?9:42
Aa
Scam
fMarketplace | Facebook×
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/inbox
KitchenAid stand mixer · £180Gloria Pennington · Marketplace
Hi is this still available? I will pay £230 for it, extra for your trouble9:41
Yes, my PayPal is @lucysells9:42
I need your PayPal email address, not the username. My business account only sends to emails. My courier will collect it once the payment is confirmed.9:42
Aa

Always check the email.

A buyer who won't use your PayPal username and insists on your email, then sends a "courier". A fake PayPal email saying you were paid comes next.

Always checkThe real oneThe scam
1Where it livesIs it the real company's or person's own address or number?

A buyer on Marketplace.

Also a buyer on Marketplace. The chat looks the same.

2What it asks you to doCheck firstDoes it want a password, a payment, a call, or a tap?

Collect it, see it working, and pay you there.

Your PayPal email address, not your username, for a "business account".

3How hard it pushesIs there a deadline, a threat, or a surprise charge?

No rush: tomorrow after work.

£50 over your price, and a courier instead of the buyer.

RememberOnly hand over an item once the money is really in your PayPal app. Never trust an email that says you were paid.

Would you have spotted it?

10 pairs like this one, three minutes, a score to share. Then find out who in the family is the easy mark.

Take the testNext scam: The landlord who mails you the keys →