Not only honest buyers and sellers, but also fraudsters are active in classified ads and other online platforms. Some criminals are particularly sensitive to private sales. If you are attentive, you should be suspicious of certain questions, otherwise danger lurks.
- In the video: With a perfidious scam, fraudsters rip off two people at once
The sweater from an ill-considered, spontaneous purchase, the unused musical instrument or things that were discarded during a move: all of these can still bring their owners some money through classified ads.
This not only increases your account balance, but also the space in your apartment. It only becomes critical when fraudsters exploit the confidentiality of the flea market app and try to obtain information that is of interest to them.
Especially when high-quality products, furniture, electronics or other items are offered.
Fraudsters on classified ads exploit trust
Classifieds are one of the most popular places to sell unwanted items. The app has already been downloaded more than 50 million times from the Google Play Store. However, the large number of sellers are now increasingly being targeted by fraudsters.
Users of classified ads should therefore be more cautious when asking certain questions from buyers. Of course, asking questions is part of selling on the platform. However, if these are aimed at whether someone is spontaneously at home, it is worth taking a closer look.
If questions arise about whether there are other valuable items for sale, it's time to become suspicious. Criminals could use such questions to spy on the person's home and find a suitable time to break in.
Possible or similar questions should make you suspicious:
- “Could you personally pick up the item this evening?”
- “Are you currently at home if I want to come over at short notice?”
- “What time are you usually home?”
- “Could I come by late tonight?”
- “Is it possible to pick up very early in the morning or late in the evening?”
- “How many hours are you usually out of the house?”
- “Are you available during the week or rather on weekends?”
- “Do you have any pets I need to consider?”
- “How many people live in your household? Maybe you can help me carry things.”
- “Could you give me your exact address so I can drop by spontaneously?”
- “Do you have any other valuable items to sell?”
- “Are there any other interesting things in your apartment?”
- “What about electronics, are you selling more?”
- “Do you have any jewelry to sell?”
- “Could you briefly describe the items in your apartment?”
- “Are there things in your home that are particularly valuable?”
- “Could I also buy the car shown in one of your photos?”
- “Do you also sell larger items, like furniture?”
- “Do you have artwork in your home that you want to sell?”
How users can protect themselves
Selling expensive items could also put you at risk of attracting criminals, so if sellers want to play it safe, they should be careful when exchanging information about picking up your items.
In chats on classified ads, for example, only the first name and changed surname should be mentioned (e.g. Peter Müller). If self-collection is agreed, the buyers should wait in a neutral location and bring the sold item there. This way, your own living situation remains unknown and is not spied on.
By Ole Wetjen
