Consumer Alert
Online sellers stung by scammers spoofing PayPal brand
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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In reply to I NEED YOUR HELP FOR REFUND by FEREIDOUN ZAREI
Please check out our tips for getting your money back.
In reply to I AM SELLING A LAPTOP AND by Denise
In reply to Pay Pal are issuing Pay Pal by synchroman
In reply to I receive a text from +1 1 by Selling a car …
In reply to recently i have been by agi
This could be an attempt to steal your personal information, money or merchandise. You can contact PayPal at spoof@paypal.com about the emails.
In reply to First I get a text message by hwyhuff
In reply to Yep . . . this exact same by Nina
In reply to Yep . . . this exact same by Nina
In reply to First I get a text message by hwyhuff
In reply to OMG, thank you for posting by sararae802
Just had two guys trying the same scam on me. Posted a motorcycle on craigs list. First said he was off shore had to use pay pal and wanted it for his son. Second was almost the same exact text only he wanted it for his dad. Well I promptly informed him I was a federal agent with homeland security and that if wanted any further info to let me know. Never heard from either of them again
In reply to Just had two guys trying the by rhartnac
In reply to First I get a text message by hwyhuff
This is exactly what happened to me today. They used the exact same words, and saying somebody is going to come to pick up the car i am selling. Even worse, they stole an identity, I googled the name they gave me and it's Major General James R even used his picture in the email profile. Be advised!
In reply to This is exactly what happened by alisa
Same scenario here with me about a Car I am selling on a Internet classifieds. The caller used all the same PayPal account biz
When I told him I was familiar with PayPal but I don't think that we could do any business. I'm in Arkansas and the "Buyer is a text message linked to a phone number in Erie, PA. I thought to myself that it was more than illogical to buy a car down South.
I know that there are plenty of used cars for sale in the Erie area. Phone number 8 14 651 8299. SELLER BEWARE!
In reply to First I get a text message by hwyhuff
In reply to That's the exact wording I by Paintman
In reply to That's the exact wording I by Paintman
In reply to Will Wallace of the army is by steuart28
In reply to First I get a text message by hwyhuff
In reply to First I get a text message by hwyhuff
This was a supposedly Sgt. in the marines...i was a military personnel and i seen several issues with this message lol & before hand they texted me from a cell phone saying they are not allowed to use cell phones. He is a NCO why is he not allowed to use a cellphone?
haha but just almost got caught by this i requested for him to sign a contract and for me to get it notarized byto legally bind him to follow the instructions to receive the vehicle since he couldnt come in person with the money and he was on a military installation. all he had to do was sign a piece of paper with his signature to receive the vehicle so i could show the MP's on the base since i no longer have the security clearance to go on a marine installation and to verify he was stationed there.
Thank you for getting back to me.Can you assure me that it is in good state and that i will not be disappointed with it i read the conditions as stated on the advert,and I'd like to have a proper look of it, but I may not be able to come for inspection and pay you by cash due to the nature of my job and current location , the issue is I'm with the US Marine and I'm not in my own state now I'm at the Military Corps Base Quantico, Virginia and use of mobile phone is not allowed at the military base . But I'm able to access my email anytime as we do make use of laptop so my only and quickest payment option is PayPal as i can send money via PayPal anytime.Since I'm requesting this transaction to be done via PayPal I'm willing to pay what is good for you Thx
In reply to This was a supposedly Sgt. in by iLoveMyPuppy
In reply to Just received a message from by kaykia
In reply to Just got today the same by Jose
In reply to Just got the very same by Kabee
In reply to Just received a message from by kaykia
EXACT SAME MESSAGE AND M.O. TODAY Sgt Cedric Martin Cedric Martin 804-368-6193 SCAM ALERT
In reply to EXACT SAME MESSAGE AND M.O. by warrior
In reply to This was a supposedly Sgt. in by iLoveMyPuppy
EXACT same happened to me today. Same person, exact same text. I asked for a copy of military ID. He tried responding and by giving me this info: Sergeant Cedric Martin Matthew DOD: RA-3-xxxxxxxx battalion: 2nd battalion,12th infantry Unit: Combat Unit AKO Number: 24xxxx Rank Staff Sergeant (Sgt) MOS: (E-6) Was a Marine spouse for many years. No was was legit. Scumbag!
In reply to EXACT same happened to me by JMAC
In reply to Received same email to by JC
In reply to This was a supposedly Sgt. in by iLoveMyPuppy
In reply to First I get a text message by hwyhuff
Here's the one I got just yesterday.
"Do you have the extra keys, Do you have the spare tire, Where did you get your car serviced, Have you ever had any transmission repairs and Is there any rust on the vehicle? I'm ready to pay your asking price but not cash in person because I am serving in the US Army and currently been deploy to Fort Huachuca Military Base , Arizona and calls are restricted at the moment and my only quickest payment option is PayPal, its safe fast and secure and i will be responsible for the PayPal transaction charges so you can get your expected amount. If you don't have an account with PayPal, its pretty easy to open one, Just log onto paypal. com and sign up. I hope we can make the purchase as fast as possible? As I am buying the vehicle for my dad and I'm very sure he will love this vehicle, his a mechanic and a handy man, so if there is anything that need to be fixed in it just let me know he will handle it. I have a mover that will come for the pick up once payment clears in your account and he will handle the title for me.I would appreciate if you email me with more pictures (if available) too since i won't be able to see this in person. I look forward to hear from you with the information below. I look forward to hear from you with the information below. Your PayPal e-Mail Address : Full name: Firm Price: Phone Number: Zip code for pickup:
In reply to I have a friend who is by micwrsdun
It could be a scam. Why should a seller need to send money?
Watch out for anyone who sends email to try to make you believe they put money in your account. Don't click on any links in the email. It might go to a fake site that makes it look like you got paid. Check your account yourself. Go to the website you know and sign into your account.
In reply to 2 July 2015; I responded to by g,short
Please report this to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. Blog comments don't go into the database that law enforcement uses for investigations.