“Pay Safely” feature
New rip-off scam in classifieds: why everyone is suddenly asking for your email
Within a very short time, a seller received in classifieds three of the fraud messages
© star
There are always attempts to defraud sales portals. A stitch is currently doing the rounds particularly quickly. And it uses the “Pay Safely” function, of all things.
Get rid of your old stuff and earn a few more euros or get a nice bargain when you buy used: the platform Classifieds – formerly part of Ebay – has long since established itself for millions of Germans as a modern and convenient alternative to the flea market. But there are always attempts at fraud. A scam is currently spreading particularly quickly there. As always, your money is at stake.
Both consumer advocates and numerous police stations are currently warning of this. The rip-off usually begins inconspicuously. A potential buyer responds to the ad, possibly starting a conversation about details like shipping. At some point, a seemingly harmless question comes up: could the seller please give his e-mail address, sometimes the SMS is asked instead. But this request should not be complied with under any circumstances.
Secure Pay Scam
Because although you could also use the e-mail address for payment via PayPal, the scammers are using it for a different purpose. If they receive the relevant data from the sellers, they receive a short time later a message that supposedly comes from classified ads. The message claims that the customer made a payment using the “Pay safely” function that actually exists there. Now the seller only has to follow a link to call it up. But instead of the money there is – you guessed it – a rip-off site.
The sellers are now asked to enter their credit card and/or account details, allegedly in order to then be able to get the money. Whoever does that has already lost. The scammers use the data to loot the account. According to the Lower Saxony consumer advice center, an inexperienced saleswoman lost over 3,000 euros. It is therefore a classic phishing trap.
Common scam
According to a recent report by the Coesfeld police, attempts at fraud are currently increasing. Also that star several cases are known from the past few days in which sellers in classified ads have been asked to provide their e-mail addresses. “I was contacted three times within 20 minutes by different users about an offer in southern Hesse,” reports Till P. “Twice I was immediately asked about the e-mail. Once I received a completely normal, nice request for the shipping costs. Of course I have that answered – only to be asked for the mail after all.”
Fortunately, he remained skeptical from the start. And with good reason: If you use the portal’s “Secure payment” function, the buyer doesn’t even need the email address. Everything takes place directly via classified ads. The scammers take advantage of the fact that many users of the platform are not yet familiar with the payment method and therefore do not know the processes.
How to protect yourself
Of course, it’s annoying that a protective function of all things is being misused for rip-off purposes. “Most people don’t think of a risk of fraud when they say ‘pay securely’. After all, the function also offers buyer and seller protection,” explains a consultant from the Lower Saxony consumer center to the “NDR”. She therefore has a clear piece of advice: “Sellers should always determine the payment method themselves.” In this way, they could find out in advance exactly how the payment is made and identify irregularities better.
The Coesfeld police also advise this. And recommends not letting yourself be dissuaded from your own decision: “When making a purchase, don’t let alleged buyers persuade you to use a method that you haven’t used yourself yet. Don’t click unchecked on links that you receive via SMS, Get chat or messenger.”
If you have nevertheless fallen into the trap, the police advise you to notify the bank immediately and possibly have the payment blocked. You should also report it. If you have also entered account data on the fraud site, you should immediately inform the operator of the original service, i.e. classified ads, to prevent attempts at fraud via your own account.
Sources:Press portal blue light, NDR