Don't walk around with a target on your back!
Just like everywhere else in life, the Internet has a few bad apples that can get in the way of your online experience. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can follow to stop online tricksters from raining on your parade!
We've put together this handy guide so you can quickly identify the latest email scams and other types of online fraud, as well as some simple tips on how you can be safer through every stage of the buying and selling process. So have a read and get to know your phishing from your fishing.
Know what to look for
Scams can take on different shapes and forms. The best way you can avoid being the target of a scam is to know what to look for.
False enquiry scams involve false buyers persuading sellers to pay unusual fees or refunds.
Don't get swindled
Phishing scams are created by fraudsters to give the illusion they've been sent from a legitimate organisation.
Avoid taking the bait
Payment scams involve false sellers trying to trick buyers into sending their hard-earned cash for items that just don't exist.
Be sure before you buy
Recent scams
May 2013
Fraudsters are sending out the following false email from PayPal. DO NOT click on the link and DO NOT sign in on the false PayPal website.
May 2013
DO NOT enter your information onto a page that asks you to confirm your credit card details. Carsales will never ask you to confirm your credit card details or your date of birth.
April 2013
Please make sure that you DO NOT transact with any buyer or seller that asks you to use the website that looks like a Google checkout service.
March 2013
Please make sure that you DO NOT transact with any buyer or seller that asks you to use the website that looks like an Amazon Payment service.
March 2013
Please be cautious if you receive an email asking you to login to renew your details. .
January 2013
Be cautious when contacting a seller, where the voicemail message says:
“Unfortunately the seller cannot be contacted by telephone. Please send an email and they will contact you promptly”.
December 2012
This email has been sent by scammers asking you to renew your information.
December 2012
Scammers like to retract the online warnings that we send out, when we have detected a fraudulent advertisement.
November 2012
This email is sent by scammers and looks like it originates from a Carsales email address. This is a false email. Do not communicate with the seller of the vehicle listed in the email.
November 2012
Scammers are trying to convince buyers to use this payment service by using well known brands to make it look real.
November 2012
Online Confirmation SSE Ad ID- 999999- 2003 Toyota Corolla Ascent. Carsales will never issue an email stating that an advertisement will be marked as “Genuine” and will be re-listed on our website as soon as possible.
September 2012
PayPal do not issue this email: PayPal Payment reminder ** Your Payment Status**
September 2012
PayPal do not issue this email: PayPal Payment reminder (Western Union details Needed To Get Your Account Credited)
September 2012
Be aware, quicksales does not operate a ‘Buyer protection service’.
August 2012
Scammers will stop at nothing to scare consumers into parting with their hard earned money.
August 2012
Scammers adapt false documents to match the account of their potential victim.
August 2012
Don’t be fooled, PayPal do not issue legal warnings.
August 2012
Scammers are sophisticated criminals who will try to trick people into providing into login details, personal information and credit card details; or even making payments to third parties or themselves.
June 2012
Scammers will try various ways to have potential victims contact them.
June 2012
Scammers are sophisticated criminals who will try to trick people into providing information and credit card details.
February 2012
Scammers are trying to stop our consumers form opening our online warning emails by stating that it is a scam email.
January 2012
Scammers are sophisticated criminals who will try to trick people into providing login details, personal information and credit card details. One way scammers will try to do this is to send SMS messages.
November 2011
Sellers who have legitimately placed an advertisement have been approached by an overseas buyer ‘Philip Cook’ who says he is working at sea as a ‘Hydrographer Manager’. Sellers initially receive a text message from a potential buyer who asks them to respond via an email address provided in the SMS message.