Community & Business
7 May, 2023
Be aware: Online seller scams
COMMUNITY SAFETY WRAP: POLICE have seen an increase in online seller scams at present and ask the community to be alert to these types of scams
.While online marketplaces and classified sites are a popular way to buy and sell items, be aware that scammers are active on these sites and can pose as either buyers or sellers.
In the case of fake sellers, the biggest warning sign should be an item listed at a much lower price than similar items on the site.
If you show interest in the item, you may find the scammer claims they are out of town and an agent will deliver the item upon receipt of payment.
Payment requested through a wire service, money order, gift cards or in cryptocurrency – all of which are difficult to recover money from once sent – is an-other tell-tale sign of a scam.
Do not be tricked into sending a copy of your driver licence
to someone you don’t know, even if they send you a copy of one. Scammers can use this tac-tic to steal your ID to scam more people.
Be wary of unusual payment requests, and always inspect an item before agreeing to a sale, arranging to meet where possible in a public space, during the day with a friend or family member.
If you are a victim of an online scam or suspect an online scan report the incident via the ReportCyber website at www.cyber.gov.au/report-and-recover/report. If the offender has used Facebook Marketplace to commit the scam, report the incident via Facebook Marketplace.
For information on fake websites, phishing scams and parcel delivery scams, visit www.scamwatch.gov.au or the Queensland Police Service’s R U in Control campaign at www.police.qld.gov.au/safety-and-preventing-crime/r-u-in-control.
