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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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Mr.T
December 31, 2019
Here's the email I received... I could pursue it to see how far he will go, but I have better things to do... ===================================== Noah Carboni 1:42 AM (9 hours ago) to me I'd really like all the details you can give,condition and mileage on the vehicle,do you have all or most of the OEM parts with history. and naturally what amount are you looking to sell it for`provide the details on the vehicle,apparently just what i wanted for my Dad.My only option at this moment will be PayPal, I prefer to use PayPal for most online transactions, You can easily aqcuit money in your PayPal and transfer it into your bank account let me know then i will arrange for it to be picked up by the delivering Hauler agent that will come down to your residence for pick up After the payment is clears to you,Go ahead and send me the final price,cell number your prefer pickup address, and your paypal credit email or send an invoice to this email to deposit the money asap.
Paulius
October 22, 2019
Yup, this stuff is still alive, after asking if i still got the car, got an email - @Great! please consider it sold and remove the adverts online as i am willing to pay your asking price? because i need to buy it for my cousin asap as a surprise gift, i have read through the advert and i'm totally satisfied with it, sadly i would not be able to come personally to collect due to my hearing loss and I'm just recovering from heart surgery so I'm home-bound. can i earn your trust, hope i wont be disappointed? I have a courier agent that would help me to pick it up at your preferred location after you have received your money and cleared to your account and i'll pay you via PayPal today once you get back to me with your Paypal email and full name. Where is the pick up location so that i can inform the courier agent about it now? Await your response.@. Instantly checked the name of the email address, and got refereed to this site. Thank you. Name who sent an email - Christiana Laurrie
anrijsfursa@
December 31, 2019
Today received same scam email. I'm selling my used bike. Funny thing about it is that the bikes location is in Latvia and scammer is saying he's from Spain. Scammers name is Latvian but he doesn't speak Latvian. Name - Viesturs Zvejs eMail - zvejs2221@ Do you still have bike. I have read all the details on the advertisement.I am interested in buying it and i would like to get it as soon as possible. can you please tell me how long you have owned it? and what is the final price for it? and do you have more pictures? Okay thank you.I’m satisfied with the condition. I won't be able to come and view it myself because I am currently away for work.but if can you guarantee that it is in a good condition, I will meet up with your last price. I know there are other buyers patronizing you already. This is more reason why i would like to get this as soon as possible.i will pay you through PayPal as it is the fastest & easiest way for me to make payment at this moment, do not worry about PayPal charges, i will take care of that and about the transportation, i shall arrange for a transport agent to come to your home directly for the pickup and transport it to my home in Spain after i have made all the necessary payment and you have confirmed this on your account. So if you accept this transaction, you should send me your info requested below if you have an account already with PayPal:- Name : PayPal Email : Mobile Number amount: so that i can proceed with the transfer and then we can arrange for my shipping company to come for the pick up, after you receive your money. I will need the address for the pick up to be arranged. i expect your reply soon. Thank you ___________ I'm thinking about how to scam a scammer :D Be aware of this kind of people!
Gracie
December 31, 2019
I got an email that told me my account was about to be billed for over $100. It said if I didn’t authorize this charge to click on a link. The link was bogus and never fully loaded: www .t. umbler... Once I saw the link didn’t go to PayPal I clicked off the browser. I called PayPal and they told me there was no pending charge and that any further charges would not be processed without contacting me first. The point of the scam was apparently to get me to this fake website and enter personal information. PayPal also said that if the email doesn’t contain the account holder’s full name (Dear Joe Schmoe, instead writing “Dear ____,” )then it’s fake.
heather17
October 27, 2019
What do I do if I already sent money through money gram
Zannaz
December 31, 2019
p. replyservice 1@ This is a scam email that is linked to a fake pay pay website. They are operating from market place Facebook.
HardtoBelieve
November 03, 2019
Amazing. All these scam stories. I once had a guy call trying to get me to purchase something and wanted my information. Don't remember what it was. He was nice and personable. Up until I didn't not want to purchase and I begin to ask nicely if this was legit. He became enraged and began to scream at me. Calling me all kinds of nasty names. That is when I could tell he was highly intoxicated and had quite an accent. I begin to ask him if he was intoxicated and he became even more angry. He continued with his insults, quite nasty insults. I advised him, that his insults were not bothering me. I told him I did not understand why he felt the need to go to this extreme to scam a person. Especially since he was highly intoxicated and it was very apparent. I pointed out that getting a non scamming job as apposed to a scamming job would be so much easier. It didn't go over very well. He kept yelling profanities and insults. I told him calmly that I would now hang up. Quite unbelievable.
Macey
December 31, 2019
From "Lamprey" through Criagslist: Actually I really know how you feel I should have come for the pick up by myself but am out of town that's why I'm seeking to your help by sending the item to my sister who schooling at West African for her birthday gift so if you don't have PayPal account do log on www. paypal. com and get back to me your email address so that I can make the payment
Doreen
December 31, 2019
Here’s my first “buyer” who texted me: 1 of 8 FRM:Christian King SUBJ:Re: RARE HONDA PRELUDE - $1995 (HOLLYWOO MSG:First of all. My name is Christian King. I serve in the U.S. Air (Con't) 2 of 8 Force as a Chief Master Sgt (E-9) and I am presently not in town at the moment because I am currently on base and we aren't allowed to (Con't) 3 of 8 make or receive calls frequently as phone communications are being restricted but we do have internet access and that is our major (Con't) 4 of 8 means of communication to the outside world. So letaΔ¿s get back to business! Well, I'm purchasing it. So can you assure me I won't (Con't) 5 of 8 be disappointed buying it from you? Also, I do have a few questions I would love to ask about it. What's the condition, any damages? More?
Doreen
December 31, 2019
Here’s my 2nd “buyer”. So annoying. Thanks for your prompt response.I read through your advert and from what I have seen it's priced favorably compared to others so I want you to consider it sold to me because I am ready to buy it for the asking price and Presently I am out of town on duty in a remote area. Our phones have been disabled from voice calls as making of phone calls is against the code of ethics of my job Military. i work in a army services as a PFC right now serving 278th feild artillery unit and won’t be back until December 29.otherwise I would have called you. So,I am ready to seal the deal right away and pay you via my PayPal account that is attached to my bank account as it is the only secure form of payment that I have access to right now.So,kindly get back to me with your full name and paypal emal address and your cell phone number so that I can initiate the payment immediately.If you don't have a paypal account, it is absolutely free to set one up, kindly visit www. paypal. com. A shipper will be hired that will come for the pick up upon the completion of the payment aspect of the transaction.Let me have the requested details to proceed with the payment if we have a deal. TY
SellerBeware
November 13, 2019
Greg Simmons off shore driller can’t pick it up himself price is good and a need PayPal Acct I told him not happening only wire transfer or forget it wire transfer safest cheapest and best way to get your funds for selling anything if not forget it probably fraud or not legal. Every one who has money has a normal bank Acct and can do wire transfers for large amounts of funds. Be safe and be aware sellers.
Sharkbytemimzy
November 17, 2019
This is the 2nd one. Mind you my ad said CASH ONLY NO CHECKS OR PAYPAL. This is what he sent says he was a doctor but was currently over seas. Thank you for your response to my inquiry, So i wont be able to meet with you but am ok with the price and condition as shown on the advert, I'll proceed in issuing a check to you and when you receive the payment and it clears, I will make arrangement for pickup. So get back to me with below details asap. Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Your cell Phone Number: Last Asking Price: As soon as this is provided, payment will be overnight to you and I will let you know once it's mailed out with tracking number sent to you. I will also add an additional $50 for holding it for me till the Check gets to you and delete the posting that it has been sold for me Thanks and I hope we handle this in good faith while waiting to hearing from you Thanks
JDF
November 19, 2019
“Hanna” from Norway is still trying their luck. I don’t understand why this/persons have not been caught. Surely with FICA these scamsters should be well behind bars
Nai
November 19, 2019
Still circulating. I got this reply for my bike advert. "Hi, i am Helen duke, I would have loved to see this item but am presently busy here at the base. I am Okay with your advert price and i will as well be sending your money via PayPal asap. Do you have PayPal account so that i can proceed with the payment. Kindly get back to me with your PayPal info and also have the posting deleted Asap. 1.what's your final asking price ? 2.what's the pick up location ? 3.what's your direct phone# ?"
Tom
December 15, 2019

In reply to by Nai

Thanks for sharing this. I got a word-for-word identical reply to an ad for an RC jet I listed in kijiji. Saved me a headache, and maybe some cash.
Bronco
November 21, 2019
My scammer is just a newbie E-2, barely past basic training I guess. For some reason he wants to buy my trailer filled with 5,000 lbs of solid oak trunks. He said he is going to have UPS come pick it up. I wonder if they plan to bubble wrap the trunks and strap them on top of the UPS truck (they are 15 ft long). He was offended when I called him a scammer.... but then he still sent me a fake cashiers check (with a random name I gave him) I take pride in the fact that he wasted his time and postage on me. At least I was able to distract him for a while.
Andy
November 28, 2019
I have a guy who want to buy my Dj set for $5000, I live in Toronto and he lives in Surrey Bc and want to buy full price that I posted it for and want me to ship it same day, he asked for my paypal without to send me the money but without knowing how much it will cost to ship it from Toronto to Surrey BC , he asked me for more pictures when I had 7 pictures in my post. What you guys think?
Chan
December 12, 2019
I just received this scam from Carol Walker. "Am I'm just asking about it to make sure it's in good condition as I'm buying it for my cousin as a surprise and he doesn't know about it, so can you assure me I will not be disappointed? also, no shipment involved as I have a mover that will come for it.I'm okay with the price and condition, I can only pay you via one of the fastest and secure way to pay online (PayPal). Do you have a PayPal account? Let me know asap so I can arrange the payment through PayPal. my shipper will be coming to pick it up as soon as the payment clears into your account. Your PayPal e-Mail Address : Full name: Firm Price: Phone Number: I'll be waiting to hear from u asap."
Nice Try #Mike…
December 31, 2019
Responded to him, and then looked it up here because is seemed "fishy" Lesson learned. Mike Taylor 10:11 AM (4 hours ago) to me Hello, thx for getting back to me, i'm a rotary drill operator and currently offshore, i'm buying this for someone as a surprise gift, so i won't be able to come for the inspection due to the nature of my work.i'd appreciate if you email me with some closeup pics for a better look since i won't be be able to see this in person, but i have a pickup agent who is going to come to your location only after payment has been made and cleared, so i've chosen to have this done via paypal as it's the easiest and safest way to pay online, i have a few questions for you below and i want you to be honest with me where are you currently located? what's its present condition? hope no issues? are you the first owner? why are you selling it? since when have you been using it? what's your firm price? you got a paypal acct? do get back to me asap. thx.
Robines
December 31, 2019
I was recently scammed by a website called morclothes. They only took paypal payments and has been scamming since Feb of 2019. I went through PayPal and I am in the process of getting my money back. But my concern is, is my PayPal safe to use now. This company has a website up and everything and has so much bad feedback online to the point not a single person has ever recieved a item from them. Wish I wld have read the feedback first. Lesson learned. But I can't help wandering why paypal is still doing business with this company. It makes me a little skeptical of paypal.
Ag
January 01, 2020
I got an email from someone called Maxwell Joseph. Rather poor English for this name. Similar story, he wanted to buy my second hand furniture. He is happy to pay all price but the item needs to be picked up by some agent. The guy wanted my address and name and phone number which I gave out. Now he wants my paypal. I wonder if thats a scam and whether I am already in troubles by giving out so much info about me?
Jade28
January 06, 2020
I had a little problem with the agent they said they can only schedule the pick up date and time after they receive their pick up fee via amazon gift card, but due to my disabilities and being on a wheelchair i'm unable to get to amazon gift card. I will add the £100 they charged for the pick up and you will receive the total sum of £600. you will buy a amazon gift card at any of this store ( ASDA, BP, Card Factory ,Clinton Cards,Co-op ,Grainger Games, Martin McColls (MRG), Morissons, Nisa, Shell, Spar,Superdrug, Tesco,Wilkinsons) for the agent after you got the payment confirmation from paypal , so that the pickup agent can come for the pickup
AP
February 14, 2020
Hi 7th jan 2020 - just been approached on shpock by user name Leah. E to contact her via email (Christiana Laurrie () She responds with the following: Great! please consider it sold and remove the adverts online as i am willing to pay your asking price? because i need to buy it for my cousin asap as a surprise gift, i have read through the advert and i'm totally satisfied with it, sadly i would not be able to come personally to collect due to my hearing loss and I'm just recovering from heart surgery so I'm home-bound. can i earn your trust, hope i wont be disappointed? I have a courier agent that would help me to pick it up at your preferred location after you have received your money and cleared to your account and i'll pay you via PayPal today once you get back to me with your Paypal email and full name. Where is the pick up location so that i can inform the courier agent about it now? Await your response. Most definitely a SCAM. so please be aware guys!!
Ty122
June 09, 2020

In reply to by AP

I just recieved the exact same message from Christiana So glad I saw this before proceeding any further as it sounded suspicious!!
Saraa
January 13, 2020
Thank you so much! Saw this before being scammed by a Christiana Laurrie same surname as someone elses comment is the only way I found it! She sent the exact same message to us for a sofa suite over £500 thankfully saw this before it went too far
Adrian
February 25, 2020
Got this today: ---- My name is John, previously I stationed at Langley air force in Hampton, VA before I was deployed to the Airbase in Ohio. I do a special training program each day which I am not allowed to get out of the unit whenever I want. I'm new to the site and I'm buying this for my son as a gift and I don't want him to be aware. I'm sure he's gonna pass out lol. How far are you to Blacksburg, VA? That's where he lives. ------ I'm impressed by the sophistication. They clearly did a little research for the area I live but the story is just so familiar and the grammar just so bad in some places. I challenged them and they couldn't produce a military e-mail for me to send verification to.
Izene
February 27, 2020
Why do I need to pay R1500 at any money market to a paypal agent in order to get my money? PayPal why are you robbing me. I made business the buyer got what he paid for and yet I'm still waiting on my money. And I'm not getting any feedback from PayPal.
Adam
March 09, 2020
I got contacted by a "Wesley Adam, marine officer deployed at sea" interested in purchasing my set of bicycle wheels just within minutes the ad went on line, wanted to arrange a picking up service to send them to Texas, too much trouble for a pair of bike wheels don't you think? Besides the number he used had the +234 country code (NIGERIA), (+234 705 506 8220) never got back from him again after telling him I would take only cash...
Maidj
March 14, 2020
Deborah Andrie currently trying to scam me over the sale of a car!
nofoolforsure
March 20, 2020
I just had a buyer for my dress, the lady is in hospital after having major surgery and is wanting to buy the dress for her daughter's birthday party. Neway I did start to feel for this woman until I received the PayPal email saying that I needed to pay the courier fee of $950 and send receipt back to the buyer and they would release my return $950 delivery costs and the price for the dress. I worked out it was a scam luckily and have reported it. This buyer keeps emailing me asking what's going on and to let them know asap. Haha I haven't replied, so I turned the tables on them. Scammers.
KG62
March 25, 2020
Listed a SUV for sale on Craigs List and got a text from Christopher Earley, phone number 720-715-7561 stating I'm fine with the price and I won't be disappointed. I need to pay you through PayPal. Thanks to this site I didn't fall for his scam.
PaulinaMcc
April 05, 2020
Just received an immediate response to my husbands Kijiji ad selling snowmobile. A guy named Austin 505 area code, stating his uncle Stg E5 James Brooks would be paying. Full price + $780 for shipping that we would have to transfer the money to the shipping company for. The only way he could send funds was through PayPal and to send him the email address, amount, pickup address and our phone number. I already had a paypal account so we sent him my paypal link to get paid. My husband was so quick to send him all the info that I then googled Sgt E5 James Brooks and low and behold this FTC site was at the top of the search about PayPal scams. The 505 area code was from New Mexico. To be safe I immediately closed my PayPal account and emailed PayPal to report it.
Andrew
August 21, 2020
I received the e- mail below and 3 rather anxious phone calls from the ''customer'' who eas trying to urge me to follow the instructions on the e- mail. It was suspicious from the start but its dangling grammar and syntax ( to say the least) confirmed that it can't have been sent by Paypal; Dear ( my full name) My name is Richard Smith. I'm a PayPal representative in charge of your transaction with Mike Alex (mikealexsandra1@ ) You have received €780.00 EUR but right now the money is on hold with us for some security reasons so kindly reply to this message for the completed of this transaction and I will be happy to help you. We thank you for being an asset to PayPal and we hope to serve you better in the near future. We do not appreciate any calls due to attending too many customers, We advise you to get back to us via this email to get full details of this transaction. Be informed that this transaction is only available and can only be tracked and traced via email, So do reply back to us if you have any questions about the transaction and not via phone call. SCAM!!!
ash b
April 27, 2020
A lady Christiana Laurie has tried to scam us stating she’s disabled and deaf. Trying to say she’s paid us £450. £150 for the sofa we were selling and £300 for pick up delivery charge then I didn’t get the money through PayPal and she was saying I had to pay £300 to an account for the delivery then I would get the money through. She’s very demanding by saying “you’ll do this” and didn’t ask me if I would help her by paying before getting the money.
John1122
June 29, 2020

In reply to by ash b

We have had the EXACT same issue selling a sofa today!!!!! Luckily I picked up on the email address from PayPal actually saying PayPai@
Anna197464
September 07, 2020

In reply to by John1122

Same today! Christiana Laurrie is still going! So glad I googled the name and saw this post. They were after our sofas from Shpock and interestingly, i cannot see her message on my Shpock account, it came directly to my email!
happyfeellings67
October 30, 2020
Hi there guys if you are selling on Gumtree please watch out for the email mummiekay 01@ her name is Katrina Harris and sends you a message on your email which states: Great! please consider it sold as i am willing to pay your full asking price because i need to buy it for my cousin asap, i have read through the advert and i'm totally satisfied with it,sadly i would not be able to come personally to collect due to my hearing loss and me being in wheelchair. I have a courier agent that would help me to pick it up at your preferred location after you have received your money and i'll pay you via PayPal today. Where is the pick up location so that i can inform the courier agent about it now? You will then get an email that looks from PayPal when it’s not. If you send a message saying I cannot pay your demanding price the scammer will add to the email that if you don’t pay there will be legal action. Please do not pay any demanding money from the scammers as I have shared you my story of how I got scammed. Plz pray that I get my money back. I pray that no one gets caught in this. Thanks
daisymay
July 14, 2020
It looks like this scammer is alive and well and at it again here in UK. Having posted on Gumtree in the UK a large value item I was told by someone called Semi that her father would contact me by email as can only send emails. I then got an email from 'dad', from farhadyreza090@ , who told me he would pay full price but only by paypal and to create a paypal account if I did not have one. He said he was a marine and needed to do the sale quickly so he could arrange collection by his 'movers'. I thought this was suspicious and did a quick google search on his email address which brought me here. Weirdly I got a second enquiry within minutes, this time from a Debi, again asking for an email address saying they could not ring me. I expected some interest in my item for sale but that was just too much of a coincidence, this time the email address I was supposed to write to was ddm.landman31@ . I am just guessing that Semi and Debi are doing the same scam! UK Gumtree users beware!
Baileyon't use…
August 07, 2020
I used pay pal to order something , and after two weeks I tried to contact the people and found out I had been scamed , can I get my money back, it went through as credit ,
Ciara
August 12, 2020
This has literally just happened me now...word for word!
Don't trust se…
August 21, 2020
I've recently put up my tablet for sale online. After one day, I get an sms and an email that they want to buy my item and gave me 50 euro for shipping. The PayPal money was sent, but remained 'Pending'. I received an email from 'service @ paypaldelivery. that I would need to provide shipping details before they can release the funds. I naively believed them. A few days later, I receive another email claiming that I need to send them 300 euro in order for them to be able to release the funds...as there is a certain limit which needs to be reached. This is when I sadly realised that it was a scam.
daytripper905
August 21, 2020
They are getting trickier. Here's the latest. His email is ricksmilitary@ Hello Carpenter, I had this problem with the shipping agent, the shipping agent says that I will need to pay an upfront payment for the picking up before they can arrange a pick up time and register the Trailer for picking, they charged me $1,500.00 for picking up and home delivery.! I wish to inform you that i would be adding an extra $1,650.00 to the money am transferring into your PayPal account, which is for the charged pick up fee for the pick up company to register the Trailer for pick up...Payment made to shipping HQ can only be sent through MoneyGram money transfer only and there is no MoneyGram here at my present location to send the money to them over here. So now I will be sending the total amount of $6,100.00 CAD into your account now and you will help me send the $1,500.00 to the agent via MoneyGram and the remaining $100.00 is to cover MoneyGram transfer charges. PayPal insurance policy will be informed about the process as well. Sorry to put this on you, cos without the pick up, the purchase can't hold so that's the reason why your help is needed. So kindly get back to me as soon as possible if you can help me sort this out so i can send the payment ?
SurreyVan
September 07, 2020

In reply to by daytripper905

too funny, Ricksmilitary@ just contacted me today, he is on Edwards airforce base and wants to buy by campervan for his son.
Jev
January 03, 2021
Never have received any money on PayPal game even when they say they sent it need to stop all these PayPal games
Nargis
March 10, 2021
I got a message from some one saying their name was Jennifer Anne. An said she had hearing problems an was disabled. Was willing to pay the full price for my item. An said she can only pay on paypal. An wanted a yahoo email if possibly. Then messaged saying, she put extra £500 to cover all the courier fees in my paypal account, as she lives in Scotland. So all I have to do is pay £500 into account, so that paypal can release the money an put all the money into my account.
Stephen
April 16, 2021
I get at least 2 of these every time I post an ad on gumtree seems to be a generic message they send with a few excuses why they can't come in person I wind them up for a while if I have a bit of spare time but generally just ignore
MsStewart
May 23, 2021
I have purchased two Amazon and EBay backlog liquidation Limited clearance sale and I haven't received any information about my purchase
Sweden
July 15, 2021
Watch out for David Hughes from the Hague. He runs a scam as described in the comments on this site.
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