GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – People are starting to take their summer rummage sales online this year – but how can you tell if someone is a legitimate buyer?
There are several ways to identify a fake buyer online. Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau says requesting checks and money orders are classic scams.
“A scammer is going to ask you to deposit that check, then withdraw some money and send it somewhere else. When the bank tells you that check is counterfeit, you’re going to be on the hook for any money that you withdrew,” Bach says, “It’s that lag time between when they cashed the check and when they discover that it’s counterfeit that scammers are taking advantage of.”
Other red flags include broken English – or people trying to communicate with you outside of the guidelines set by the site.
“Scammers will often try to get you away from the protections that those websites and apps provide to their sellers by trying to move you off-line,” Bach tells WTAQ News, “They all have warnings and guidelines for buyers and sellers and typical scams to watch for so make sure you read all of those before buying or selling.”
Most apps and sites for selling used items – like Poshmark, Depop, and OfferUp, as well as popular websites like CraigsList and Ebay – will provide some form of protection, as long as the deals are completed within their system. Each individual platform is likely to have a slightly different set of recommendations and requirements for its users. Following the guidelines means the platform is better able to offer assistance should anything go awry.
For more information, visit BBB.org.
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