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Selling your used stuff online has become commonplace. So have scams taking advantage of the good names of reputable online companies. At the FTC, we’ve heard from people stung by scammers spoofing PayPal. The scam generally goes like this: You post a high-value item, like a used car, for sale online. In no time at all, you get an email from a buyer willing to pay full price — or more! But he sets conditions; he is only willing to pay by PayPal or insists the sale must happen right away. What’s really going on? A ruse to steal your personal information, money or merchandise.

Here are some suspicious situations to look for and steps to safe selling online:

Scenario One: The buyer claims he can only pay via PayPal. Don’t have a PayPal account? No problem, he says. He’ll send you an email with a link so you can set one up.

What should you do? Don’t take the bait. The link will send you to a website masquerading as PayPal. Any information you enter will be collected by the bogus buyer, and may be used to commit fraud. If you need to set up an account, go directly to PayPal.com.

Scenario Two: “Check your email!” The buyer claims he has sent payment to your PayPal account with additional funds so you can ship the merchandise ASAP, but oops, he sent too much money. He asks you to return the extra money via a money wiring service. It’s all a lie, including the extra money the buyer says he included.

What should you do? Log into your PayPal account. Make sure you’ve been paid before you ship. Never follow links in emails from people you don’t know. The safest approach is to open a browser window, navigate to PayPal.com, and log in yourself. Also, if the buyer claims to have sent extra money, and asks for some back, that’s a big red flag.

Scenario Three: The buyer sends you real money through a real PayPal account, and you ship him the car. Problem is, the PayPal account belongs to someone else! You might need to return the money even though the scammer has your wheels.

What now? Contact PayPal and ask them to open an investigation. The company offers seller protections so you aren’t liable for unauthorized transactions. Also file a complaint with the FTC and your local police department.

Learn how to recognize and avoid common online scams. And contact PayPal at spoof@paypal.com if you’ve been stung by a PayPal spoof. The company wants to hear from you.

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MN
November 21, 2014
Please send this to all paypal users. Thanks Regards
Maggie2
April 23, 2015

In reply to by MN

A woman wants to buy my ring on Donedeal.ie. She asks how I want to be paid, i say PayPal. Then she says the money has been sent. I get an email from PayPal but it's a fraudulent site saying the amount plus an extra amount for registered post in pending and will be transferred to my account on proof of dispatching the ring. When I go to my PayPal account, there is no money pending. Be careful.
Anni
November 30, 2017

In reply to by Maggie2

I have been scammed by bogus PayPal payment notification and couldn’t retrieve my parcel from Royal Mail. I have now got it back by doing the following: go to tracking number online and delay the delivery to another date, when that date nears, delay the delivery date again and again if necessary until the parcel is returned to sender. Royal Mail won’t retrieve your parcel by request under any circumstances so this is the only way.
JBB
October 03, 2016

In reply to by MN

""Alright. My name is Greenblatt Joseph and am okay with its conditions and i'm buying this for someone very dear to me as a gift and i don't want him to know about it, am not in town at the moment because am in the Army and i am E-4, So can you assure me i will not be disappointed buying this from you ? I have a mover that will come for pickup once payment clears first. Do you have a PayPal account ?" From.. +1 (970) 601-0123
laurie
March 02, 2017

In reply to by JBB

same thing happened to me. I hate scammers
Marcor20
April 08, 2019

In reply to by Dee

Same. Though this guy named “Steve Johnson” just threatened to report me for fraud and contact the FBI because he sent money, apparently it’s on hold. It’s a fake threat, but still got me nervous.
JTH
March 17, 2017

In reply to by JBB

I just had an almost identical message from a scammer wanting to buy a motorcycle I have listed on eBay. My scammer was an Army E-6 though, outranking your scammer ;) To verify his identity, I asked him to send me an email from his military account. That shut him up. Name he used was Gary Gardner (203) 590-2869 BEWARE!!!!
Rod
May 29, 2017

In reply to by JTH

Mine's an Air Force Major who outranks all your enlisted guys. He writes pretty much the same stuff, though.
Cat Lady
May 27, 2018

In reply to by Don't use

Mine is apparently working for New Zealand Oil and Gas and cannot view the article because he is at sea. He asked me " where is located" and his name is Gabriel Smith, very bad English for a Smith. Also sent a link for a pay-pal account. Has a very eager courier to pick up the item though!
babyface
June 28, 2018

In reply to by Cat Lady

Hey I'm dealing with one now this very moment, wanting to buy my secondhand furniture, same story as yours but buyer's name is Janet Nichols..... I emailed a copy of the PayPal payment receipt to phishing@ paypal and now waiting for further instructions from PayPal.
ceepee
September 13, 2018

In reply to by babyface

I have been contacted by Janet Nichols too. Same story, working for a NZ gas & oil company but wants to purchase our furniture for a holiday home. Will arrange pick up by agent but the delivery agent needs $950 upfront and as buyer is off shore and has no means of payment can they please deposit the extra funds into my paypal account and I can pay them through western union transfer. Why would someone pay $950 for delivery of second hand furniture that is worth only a couple of hundred dollars? Hmmm...
RT
December 15, 2018

In reply to by Cat Lady

I have a Sophia Rigby wanting to buy my car. She also happens to work at New Zealand Oil and Gas haha. Also wants a courier to pick up my car which doesn’t make sense. And I asked for a copy of her passport as ID and she doesn’t seem to have it even though she is returning to Australia for Christmas. So not sure how she is going to get back into the country haha. Not that she is real.
Never get scammed
June 29, 2019

In reply to by Cat Lady

I’m talking someone right now saying the same thing unbelievable
PenguinSuit
September 06, 2018

In reply to by Don't use

Same story! My guy is currently submerged in the submarine off the coast of Connecticut. He would come to the surface for several weeks. But he trusts that the car I am selling is in the condition I describe.
RoKSweet
September 09, 2018

In reply to by PenguinSuit

Here's one, but can't understand his reasoning. Says he is a Carnival Cruise steward and will have his "mover" p/u item for sale but doesn't accept PayPal or cash therefore the "steward" will deposit extra funds for the p/u. Well, if I receive the extra funds for the mover, how would I pay him? The mover doesn't accept cash and if I write a check or pay by CC, so could too, the buyer! The item weighs less than 20 lbs. I can have it delivered to Florida via UPS in 5 days for about $100. The "steward" was going to add $450 for the $500 item. After confronting him on this, he never contacted me back. # (786) 528-8093.
tinaj1014
September 20, 2018

In reply to by RoKSweet

Just got a text from this same number. It will be the third one for the item I am selling, not this number, but same scam. The first one - I called him out and told him I recognize attempted fraud and theft. The second one - I said SURE! I can do that. And promptly blocked his number. The third time is this number you noted. It is for a grand piano, so yeah.... if you're not local, you are not going to be believed for this sale.
SheikhLaw
March 03, 2018

In reply to by Jeo

March 1, 2018. I had one a few days back that was a low ranking Army Sergeant Name Brent. His number was 415-944-3765!! Be Aware! Stay Safe While Doing Online Business!
dainisha
May 08, 2019

In reply to by SheikhLaw

Hey how did you handle this situation with him because i think I’ve just got scammed by the same guy
bella
March 18, 2018

In reply to by Rod

I had a female oceanographer who was currently still at work and wanted me to ship the item to her friend and was willing to pay extra for my service. It's weird because in the end she would have ended up paying for a brand new item. She insisted on paying through PayPal. I deleted the message then after 2 minutes I get another email from her saying 'thanks for your quick reply'. Obviously a scam because I didn't even reply back.
stella Lei
May 07, 2018

In reply to by bella

This site is such a lifesaver. I had a gut feeling that something wasn’t right so I googled and here we are.. this is what I got Hello Again, I'm really interested in buying it from you and i agree with the price you mentioned.Please i want you to understand that i wouldn't be chanced to finalize the deal in person due to the nature of my job as am offshore at work at the moment,I'm a chief cook in the stewards department but i would arrange for transport agent to come for pick up and inspection on my behalf .If we have deal kindly send me your PayPal details as listed below so i can proceed with the transfer and we can begin to finalize the from there Hello Again, I apologize for late response,I want you to understand that i want to pay through PayPal because i currently do not have access to my bank account as i don't use online banking and can't get to the bank at the moment due to the nature of my job,Moreover the transport agent coming for pick up accepts only western union transfer as means of payment and i can't make such transfer not to talk of sending the funds to you through them,i Hope you don't mind creating an account with PayPal?,It's easy safe and reliable to use all you need to do is visit www. paypal. com/ ae to register an account and get back to me with your PayPal details as i have requested for in my previous mail so i can proceed with the transfer and we can begin to finalize the deal from there,I wait your response as soon as possible.
Sunrise
June 08, 2018

In reply to by bella

This is what I just received.. About a wedding dress for sale. Too much unsolicited detail in the request and just too eager to pay! On 08 Jun 2018, at 13:20, David Harold wrote: Hello,Thank you for your prompt response,am really satisfied with the price and condition. I'm ready to pay your asking price including, I work as a marine engineer with Italian marines on bermuda sea, so i wont be able to come and do things personally, my shipping company will be coming for the pickup and named Parcel 2go Courier...the contract is strictly no call due to the lack of reception on the sea area. But I'm able to access email anytime as we will make use of laptop so my only quickest payment option is PayPal or PayPal to Bank as i can send money via PayPal anytime and to bank account so since I'm requesting this transaction to be done via PayPal or Bank, i will be responsible for all the PayPal charges on this transaction and if you don't have an account with PayPal, its pretty easy, safe and secured to open one. Just log on to http://www. paypal. com. I hope we can make the purchase as fast as possible so i need your PayPal Full name and email address so i can send the money now. Name: Mr David Harold Home Address: Bars town, ca 2111 City: Califonia Country: United state of America Here is the paypal information needed below. Name: PayPal Email address: Home Address: Cell Phone No: Amount: Many thanks
Almost fell fo…
June 21, 2018

In reply to by Sunrise

We almost fell for it as well, same email address and modus operandi:

" from: David Harold date: Fri, Jun 8, 2018 at 2:36 PM

Hello, Thank you for your prompt response,am really satisfied with the price and condition. I'm ready to pay your asking price including, I work as a marine engineer with Italian marines on bermuda sea, so i wont be able to come and do things personally, my shipping company will be coming for the pickup and named Parcel 2go Courier...the contract is strictly no call due to the lack of reception on the sea area.

But I'm able to access email anytime as we will make use of laptop so my only quickest payment option is PayPal or PayPal to Bank as i can send money via PayPal anytime and to bank account so since I'm requesting this transaction to be done via PayPal or Bank, i will be responsible for all the PayPal charges on this transaction and if you don't have an account with PayPal, its pretty easy, safe and secured to open one. Just log on to   paypal. com. I hope we can make the purchase as fast as possible so i need your PayPal Full name and email address so i can send the money now. Name: Mr David Harold Home Address: Bars town, ca 92111 City: Califonia Country: United state of America Here is the paypal information needed below. Name: PayPal Email address: Home Address: Cell Phone No: Amount: Many thanks "

With us he also had a copy of Mr Harold David Buckler (the last name on the licence card) Be careful!

Almost again
July 16, 2018

In reply to by Almost fell fo…

I almost fell for this one as well. Same story with the ID attached. Same companies used on his request for shipment. Same name being used.
I was selling …
July 25, 2018

In reply to by Almost fell fo…

The same guy David Harold is at the moment trying to scam me. I was immediately suspicious that someone called David Harold wants to buy my oakley goggles for 100€ since I live in Finland... The email he sent was written in poor Finnish. Thank god I googled david harold 41111 and found this. Now I know for sure that I can block him.
similiar scam?
September 01, 2018

In reply to by Almost fell fo…

I'm selling some used items of rather expensive furniture and getting a request to buy from someone overseas. Different name (a Bettina Nesselrath, Germany) and reason, but along similar lines with wanting to send an agent to collect and make the purchase through PayPal. How far could one take the discussion before I'm exposed to real risk? If it goes as far as her depositing money in my PayPal account which I verify by logging in myself. And holding on to the items until at least then, what do I have to lose? As far as I understand the terms of PayPal, if the transaction is made as a private funds transfer, there is no reversing it once complete? Appreciate any insight into this.
Don'tuseyourem…
December 18, 2018

In reply to by similiar scam?

if it's made as a Personal/Friends and Family payment (which is what I assume you mean by "private funds transfer"), PayPal won't help once (s)he scams you. Ask a financial adviser on how she should pay. It's a fairly complicated process to receive money from overseas without getting scammed. The buyer needs to be honest.
Lauryssa8779
June 14, 2019

In reply to by Almost fell fo…

I had almost fell for it until now and did my research and found this site and what the guy is telling me is identical to all of what it’s posted in this site glad I saw before hand he said this ... His name was “Robert Douglas” be careful ! “Thanks for your response, I am sorry I am not available to view due to the nature of my job, I am in the United States Army and serve as a CBRN Specialist (74D). I want to buy this for my son birthday Gift. I am currently deployed wont be back till August am OK with your asking price and if you don't mind, I can only pay through PayPal at the moment because its the most secure way to make or receive payment online this is why I'll prefer using PayPal to pay you, all I need is your PayPal email to make the payment and if you don't have a PayPal account, if you don't have a PayPal account, its pretty easy to set up at www. paypal. com.all I need is Your PayPal e-Mail Address : PayPal Acct Name: Phone # to make the payment and I also have a few questions for you.”
Shea
August 30, 2019

In reply to by Lauryssa8779

Just received the same info exactly regarding a corvette for sale! fredmill1202@ (Fred Mill) text came from 505-309-5575 to contact him by email. Thank goodness I could feel that it didn’t sound right! Great site to find out about these scammers!
Africa
August 17, 2018

In reply to by Sunrise

He is still busy, received mine today with a copy of California ID. davidharold41111 @gmail. com Hello, Am really satisfied with the condition. I'm ready to pay your asking price so about the shipping, My shipping company will be responsible for the issue of my details,transferring the name of ownership and signing of all necessary paperwork will be done by the pick up agent so you don't have to worry about that.,And so as to prevent the damages So kindly get back to me with your Bank details like this below so can proceed with the payment immediately. Name: Mr David Harold Home Address: Bars town, ca 92111 City: Califonia Country: United state of America Here are the details needed for the payment to be made: Account Name: Account Number: Bank Name: Country: Home address for the pick up Thanks.............Am waiting.
Aldum
February 11, 2019

In reply to by Sunrise

Thanks helped a lot received almost exactly same email from him. Hello yes i will be making an EFT payment from my PayPal account into your Bank account okay. Try to understand that my shipping company will be responsible for publishing my data, transferring ownership and signing all the necessary documents for the collectors, so do not worry so all you need is now to come bank to me with the below banking information so that you can continue to pay. These are the details you need to make a payment: Account Name: Account Number: Bank Name: Country: Home address for the pick up: Total Cost of the item: Wait for the answer with bank details.... This helped alot
Kajad
August 03, 2020

In reply to by Sunrise

Thank u so much for saving me from scam. I was selling ny wedding dress on shpock when someone send me same and i almost died of replying her on email. She told me she had an operation as she had cancer so she can't pick but some1 will come to pick. I got a confirmation email but no payment and then she tells me to transfer 105 to agent account and he will send money back. I was about to do but felt something fishy. PayPal never send account number or isbn number. So thanks alot for saving me
Kevin
June 05, 2017

In reply to by JTH

Holy cow. Same thing happened to me today but he said he was Colton Gardner, an E6 from Wisconsin. Wanted to buy my motorcycle for his brothers birthday!
Md
June 08, 2017

In reply to by Kevin

I just got my 4th call ,4 different people, try to get me to set up a PayPal account. A little annoying.
Kurtt
June 17, 2017

In reply to by Kevin

Thank you for posting this. Colton Gardner just emailed me about a motorcycle.
D
June 30, 2017

In reply to by Kurtt

Same person emailed me yesterday about an hour after I posted my motorcycle. Here is what he said; Thanks for your email, First of all, here's a little background about me, My name is Colton Gardner. I'm in the United States Army, Staff Sergeant (E-6), but I am currently not in town at the moment as I am currently on deployment and we are not allowed to make or receive calls frequently as phones communication's are restricted but we do have internet access and that is our major means of communication to the outside world. So let’s get back to business! I'm purchasing this for my brother as a birthday gift and he's not aware of me doing this because am making it a surprise for him. So can you assure me I won't be disappointed buying this from you? Also, I do have a few questions I would love to ask about it. What's the condition, Any damages? Are you the original owner? Would love to know the reason why selling it? Does it have any mechanical issues? Can you send me more pictures? Do you have the title in hand? Is there a lien on the title? Do you have a verified account with PayPal? Do you have any offer's yet? Looking forward to read back from you and I hope you can respond and answer my questions appropriately in your next e-mail. I am glad I found this site first.
mrkdb
July 25, 2017

In reply to by D

Just had the same thing happen from 512-575-9177 "i am presently in camp as a military man so am making this as a special birthday give for my son...send me the email address you use for the paypal account so i can pay for this now..."
Bob
August 03, 2017

In reply to by D

Received the almost identical email from Wesley Porter, E-5 Sergeant, US Army. The questions he asked were word for word as above. Wanted to pay with PayPal and have a hauler carrier come and pick up my motorcycle. Beware, as the Pay Pal Seller Protection Policy is void if the seller allows the item to be picked up. What probably happens is that he files a 'claim' with PP to get his money back, while I am out my money and my motorcycle. Be careful.
Chris Mc
August 11, 2017

In reply to by Bob

i got one from tim walker who is on base for training lasting several weeks. phone number area code starts with 312. he said he was going to send me money paypal. I just let them talk and he declared not to be a scam. His email would arrive in spam. and what do you know. the usual spam mail. Spoof caught it and he tried to get me to send 900$ back. PFFFT get the hell out. They will try to lie about anything. I have read where people have lost their cars and money because they stole someones account and paid you. The car was picked up and all.
Funny
October 09, 2017

In reply to by D

Ha! Colton just emailed me and he must have been demoted as now he is an E5!
williamm
December 05, 2017

In reply to by D

I got the exact same email, but he used the name William Adams.
theark
April 18, 2018

In reply to by D

I had the similar e-mail yesterday. Wanted to buy my yacht I'm selling but insisted on more photos then an pick up agent will collect after I receive payment. I am in SA and insisted on the pick up agent paying me cash but scammer insisted on a PayPal payment. I smelled a rat and did more investigation and told him I'm reporting him and I havnt heard from him again. His name is White Anthony and he is working on offshore oilrig and he wants the boat as a surprise for his son. Hahaaaa. his e-mail address is dawweld8@ gmail.com
Carol B
May 23, 2018

In reply to by theark

Thank you so much for posting this, I found this blog just in the nick of time!!! Also White Anthony at dawweld8@ gmail.com wanting to buy our Daimler as a surprise for his son.....was a wee bit suspect with his bad English and "pick up Agent". If I hear from him again, I have a good mind to ask him about the yacht he was going to buy for his son ha,ha. I'm also in SA so this guy gets around, watch out guys.
Wayne B
May 29, 2018

In reply to by Carol B

Super. Got involved with this a couple days ago. From: 19287078140. Am interested in your Harley an di am okay with the price. What is the pick up address as I wont be able to come for it myself because I am serving in the US Army and currently been deploy to Fort Huachuca Military Base Arizona. I'm buying it for my Dad as he's birthday gift which comes up soon but I will hire a shipper who will come for the pick up and he will handle the title for me as soon as we are done with the payment part of the transaction,i will be paying you via PayPal and kindly get back to me with your PayPal email then i can get on the payment as soon as I'm back from the base and we can surely arrange for the pickup after the payment clears into your account. Thnx Glad I saw this. Told him I am onto him so he better watch it.
dee
July 17, 2018

In reply to by Wayne B

lol i just got the same exact message. he added to disregard any similar messages i may have received as he has many friends looking out for him also but to deal with him directly instead. the nerve of some people..
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