18
Sep
Articles, Life Hacks

How To Spot An Online Scam

Posted on by Inga | 11 comments

We’ve all been there. Even if you haven’t been there, you definitely have been close to being there.

While scouring the likes of Gumtree for the best deal on whatever it is you’re looking for, you find the perfect one. But after clicking through, things seem a bit off – you can just tell something isn’t right.

Is it the lack of pictures? The bad spelling? The need for cash right away?

We have a list of things that you can use as a guide to spot an online scam:

  • Potential buyers who ask you to delete your ad or communicate only via Whatsapp. This makes it hard for the platform to track your communication. Work through the brand app or platform only, and keep your ad active until the item is sold. Do not provide your direct email address or phone number.
  • Potential buyers who claim to work offshore. Of course, not everyone who works offshore is a scammer but be extra suspicious if they refuse to communicate via Skype, claim that they don’t have phone access, or that they work on an oil rig or at a mine in a foreign country. Also, be very alert to anyone willing to pay for the item via PayPal or money transfer without viewing it.
  • Car buyers, in particular; who ask for information not related to the item, e.g. your bank account details, whether or not your car is equipped with an alarm system, your ID number etc. These are possibly data scammers, so never provide any personal information.
  • Potential buyers who refer to your advert in vague terms, referencing “the item” or “your merchandise”. It is relatively easy to make sure that the buyer is genuinely interested in your item rather than someone just trawling the internet looking for an easy target.
  • Anyone who does not want to meet in person to assess the item or to finalise the deal should concern you, unless there is an obvious geographical reason for this.
  • Anyone hounding you constantly to make a decision or a payment should send up a red flag. Do not be pressurised, make your checks.
  • Bad spelling, foreign telephone numbers, or a refusal to share information are all warning signs.

And with that, I hope your deal-searching ways improve and you never fall for a scam ever again.

Let us know if you have ever been scammed and the tips you will be taking from this article in the comments below.

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Article inspired by: 2oceansvibe.com

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11 thoughts on “How To Spot An Online Scam”

  3. Ofentse R. says:

    I have a funny story. I tried selling my DSLR camera back in 2019 on Gumtree. Some guy indicated his interest and we started communicating via email. At this point I believed he genuinely was going to buy my camera. He then sent me sole notification that he had made the payment and the address I was supposed to send the camera to. Then one evening I decided to go through and the notification and the email seemed a lil sus so I google the email that had sent it and boom SCAM ALERT. Gents I was ready to send the damn camera to the guy🙊 anyway keep safe on these streets, people will do anything and everything for the rand.

  6. Thendo R. says:

    Very informative, they’ll be more of these scams towards the festive.
    Verify! Verify! Verify! Make sure you personally go & view items sold on Market Place if possible (also go with someone else) & avoid e-wallet payments if necessary.