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New scammers scam when selling on free classifieds sites
Like many mothers, I often use the services of one popular site selling unnecessary children’s (and not only) things. For four years of such a turnover, I have not had to face any surprises. Until recently…
I posted on the website an advertisement for the sale of a highchair. After about a couple of hours after the publication – a call. The man spoke quickly, confidently and energetically, they say, he wants to take the chair, only he is on a business trip, he will send people for it. What about payment? I will pay on the card, he says, give the address and number. I already had to sell a product in this way, so there were no questions. He quickly wrote down the rather long name of my street. For some reason I asked about the card, if there was a zero balance, if I use it. Doubts were dispelled when he asked for the CVV code – three digits on the back. He needed them for some kind of check. After my refusal, the “buyer” quickly ended the conversation and never showed up.
The vastness of the Internet suggested that this type of fraud is now flourishing. There may be variations. For example, they ask you to name a four-digit code from a received SMS, they say, in order to make a payment. Or ask you to go to an ATM to complete a money transfer transaction. In this case, strictly following the instructions of the scammers, you can manually switch your mobile bank to their phone. It’s hard for me to imagine who buys it, but probably there are such people, since there are similar ways of extorting money.
Top signs that a scammer is calling you
- He is in another city, he will send a car, other people for the goods.
- The payment is ready to be made exclusively to the card. Refuses to pay in cash.
- Not particularly interested in the product. But this point is already taken into account by the fraudsters, for example, I was asked about the state of the chair.
What is important to know to keep your accounts safe
- To transfer money to your card, you only need a number. It is not even necessary to say the surname, the online bank itself will prompt the recipient by the card number, indicating the name, patronymic and the first letter of the surname. With only a card number, scammers will not be able to do anything with it, without your help, of course.
- CVV is classified information that should not be disclosed to anyone and under any circumstances. The same – with the code in the SMS.
- For your own peace of mind, ask for cash payment. Ordinary mortals will understand you.