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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 18, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Online Classifieds ( 12 ), online marketplace, pennsylvania ( 9 ), safe exchange zones, safe zones ( 4 ), Safety ( 45 )   

  State Promotes Safe Exchange Zones 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A bipartisan effort to improve public safety is moving forward in Pennsylvania with a new proposal to create designated Safe Exchange Zones. These public spaces would be used for completing online sales, trades, giveaways, and even custody exchanges in a secure environment. The bill recently advanced in the Pennsylvania Senate, moving closer to becoming law.

  The proposal was introduced following concerns about the dangers of in-person meetings for online transactions, particularly after a tragic incident in 2021, where an individual lost their life after meeting a buyer from a popular online marketplace. The bill seeks to prevent such tragedies by providing safe, monitored areas for these exchanges.

  If passed, the legislation would establish a grant program, allowing municipalities to set up Safe Exchange Zones at locations like police stations, sheriff’s offices, and other public places. These zones would be monitored by video surveillance and include clear emergency contact information. The Department of Community and Economic Development would oversee the program, ensuring proper policies for video monitoring and retention, while safeguarding constitutional rights.

  While this is a positive step toward improving safety, concerns remain about how effective these zones can truly be without direct supervision. Video surveillance alone may not be enough to prevent incidents, and by the time someone places an emergency call, it could already be too late to prevent harm. Without an immediate response or active monitoring, the zones may offer only limited protection in the most dangerous situations.

  If approved, this initiative could make Pennsylvania a safer place for everyday exchanges, offering residents a secure environment for meeting strangers, whether for online transactions or custody arrangements. However, the question remains whether these spaces can fully guarantee safety without more active oversight.

   

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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 26, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Facebook Marketplace ( 62 ), google voice ( 13 ), Online Classifieds ( 12 ), online marketplace, Scams ( 1,354 )   

  Scammers targeting online sellers for more than just money 

  

  By Greg Collier

  The convenience of online marketplaces has revolutionized buying and selling. However, with this convenience comes a breed of scammers who are not only after your money but also your personal information.

  Recently, a Facebook Marketplace user shared their experience of communicating with a potential buyer who requested a verification code under the guise of ensuring trustworthiness.

  What might seem like a harmless request for verification is actually a cunning ploy by scammers to gain access to your personal information, specifically your phone number. These fraudsters pretend to be interested buyers and claim they need to verify your identity to ensure you’re not a scammer.

  Here’s how the scam typically unfolds. You, as the seller, are contacted by a supposed buyer who expresses interest in your item for sale. The buyer requests a verification code, claiming it’s for verifying your identity and ensuring a legitimate transaction. You receive a text message containing a verification code, which you’re asked to relay back to the buyer. Unbeknownst to you, the verification code is actually for setting up a Google Voice account in your name.

  Once the scammers obtain the verification code, they use it to link your phone number to their Google Voice account. With this setup, they can perpetrate various scams using the Google Voice number associated with your identity, making it harder for law enforcement to track them down.

  This scam preys on the trust and goodwill of online sellers, exploiting their willingness to facilitate smooth transactions. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Be cautious of any requests for verification codes, especially from individuals you don’t know or trust.

  If a buyer insists on verification, suggest alternative methods such as meeting in person at a police station or using reputable payment platforms that offer buyer protection. If you encounter any suspicious behavior or requests during online transactions, report them to the platform’s support team and warn others in your community.

  To steer clear of this scam, consider registering for your own Google Voice number. By doing so, scammers won’t be able to exploit your phone number for their schemes, as it’s already associated with your Google Voice account. Plus, you don’t necessarily need to actively use Google Voice; you can simply activate its “do not disturb” setting for added peace of mind.

  If you find that someone has already linked your phone number to a Google Voice account, don’t panic. You can reclaim ownership of your number by following the instructions provided by Google. Simply refer to their guidelines on reclaiming a number associated with a Google Voice account, and take the necessary steps to regain control of your phone number.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on August 23, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: craigslist ( 129 ), Facebook Marketplace ( 62 ), Online Classifieds ( 12 ), online marketplace, Safety ( 45 )   

  How to stay safe when using online classifieds 

  

  By Greg Collier

  It’s been a long time when we discussed safety procedures when using online classifieds like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and even Geebo.com. This subject really hasn’t garnered any headlines in a while, but that doesn’t mean everything is safe now. Like regular people, the media can and often does focus their attention on many things. The media probably lost their attention when it comes to classifieds safety during the pandemic, as it was suggested that everyone maintained social distancing.

  Recently, a news story broke that reminded us to remind our readers about using these platforms safely. A man was shot in Jacksonville, Florida, after going to meet someone he was going to sell an iPad through Marketplace. The victim met the assailant in a gas station parking lot during the daytime. When the victim met with the buyer, the buyer tried to grab the iPad and flee with it. The victim was able to grasp the buyer, a struggle ensued, and the victim was shot.

  The victim followed the unwritten rules of meeting someone through Marketplace. He met them in a well-traveled area during daylight hours. Unfortunately, those rules don’t apply anymore, and haven’t for a while. As buyers and sellers started using these rules, the criminals adapted and became more brazen in their attempted schemes. Tragically, this has resulted in robberies, shootings, and murders.

  For years, we’ve subscribed to the notion that online classified transactions should be done at a local police department. While it’s not 100% effective, proposing to meet at a police department will go a long way in deterring countless scammers and thieves. Many police departments even have a designated area for such exchanges.

  And while we don’t often pat ourselves on the back, Geebo.com goes the extra mile of reviewing our ads to minimize the possibility of scams and other crimes. Also, each one of our ads provides a link to SafeTrade Stations, which provides a list of accommodating police departments. Geebo.com was created with the safety of our users in mind.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 5, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: armed robbery ( 2 ), Facebook Marketplace ( 62 ), online marketplace, robbery ( 11 ), Scams ( 1,354 ), used car ( 33 )   

  Victim robbed of $15K in used car scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Most of the scams we discuss don’t often put you in any kind of physical danger. Unfortunately, there are a handful that can do just that. If you’re a frequent buyer or seller using online marketplace platforms, you may know exactly what we’re talking about. Throughout the life of Craigslist, there have been over 100 homicides connected to the site. OfferUp has had some violent crimes attached to it as well. Many of these murders have come from robberies gone bad, where either the buyer or the seller has been fatally injured. Even today, these kinds of crimes continue to persist even with a platform like Facebook Marketplace.

  A woman from Michigan saved up $15,000 to purchase a new car. She found one on Marketplace for just the right price. However, the car was four hours away in Cincinnati, Ohio. The woman took her parents with her when she went to meet the seller of the car. The victim got into the truck of the seller to exchange the money, since they had met in a parking lot. It was at this point, the seller pointed a gun at the woman’s head and robbed her of the $15,000 in cash. The thief is still at large as of the last report and may have victimized other Marketplace users. Thankfully, the victim was physically unharmed.

  Thieves often advertise used cars as a way to lure their victims. They do this in order to ensure their victims are carrying large amounts of cash. But as we said, many times these encounters can turn lethal. Sometimes there is a struggle for the gun, other times the thieves didn’t want to leave any witnesses.

  This doesn’t happen with just used cars, either. It can happen with any type of transaction facilitated through an online marketplace. It used to be recommended to users to meet the other person in daylight at a busy part of town. Those suggestions don’t apply anymore, as the thieves have become so brazen to steal and sometimes kill in broad daylight.

  The best way to protect yourself during one of these exchanges is to meet the other person at a local police department. In the article we linked to above, a Cincinnati police detective even said that they don’t think there isn’t a police department in Ohio that wouldn’t be willing to have the exchange made there.

  This isn’t a guarantee that someone won’t try to rob you, but it goes a long way in discouraging many that would.

   
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  Geebo 8:01 am on October 25, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Facebook Marketplace ( 62 ), google voice ( 13 ), online marketplace, online shopping ( 33 ), Scams ( 1,354 )   

  Scammers and spammers plague online marketplace 

  

  By Greg Collier

  If you like to sell items online to declutter your home, you may pick the online marketplace that is most convenient to you. Possibly, one that is already integrated into your favorite social network. Unfortunately, that convenience and prevalence often lead to many scams and frauds. In some instances, you’ll get more responses from scammers than actual buyers on a certain marketplace platform. However, one man has discovered an almost universal sign that a potential online buyer is trying to scam you.

  According to a local news report from the Cleveland, Ohio area, scammers have increased their activity on that area’s Facebook Marketplace. The one scam that is being reported the most is the Google Voice Scam. In this scam, scammers will pose as online buyers interested in whatever you’re selling online. They’ll say they want to send the seller a verification code to make sure the seller is who they say they are. What’s really happening is the scammers are setting up a Google Voice account connected to your phone number. The scammers will then use the stolen Google Voice number to scam other victims.

  One proficient online seller from the area has noticed something about the scammers. When the scammers message him, they don’t ask any questions about the item being sold. Instead, the scammers will ask if the item is still for sale and if it is, they’ll ask the seller for their phone number. Again, this is to sign up for a Google Voice number using the seller’s phone number.

  If you’re using a platform that has a built-in messaging system, be suspicious of anyone who wants to communicate with you off-platform. If a prospective buyer sends you a code for any kind of verification, do not give it to them. They’re either trying to get a Google Voice number out of you or are trying to access some other online account of yours.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 28, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: craigslist ( 129 ), google voice ( 13 ), Online Classifieds ( 12 ), online marketplace, Scams ( 1,354 )   

  Online sellers have to deal with this phone scam, again. 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Scams that involve online selling are a top priority for us, since Geebo.com is an online marketplace. Previously, we’ve taken the role of an anti-Craigslist, since we actually take steps to try to protect our userbase. One of those steps is educating our users in the ways scammers might try to take advantage of them. One of those scams has resurfaced in multiple news outlets lately, so we thought it’s a good time to remind our readers of this scam.

  If you’re not familiar with Google Voice, it’s a service provided free from Google that allows you to have a secondary phone number. For example, you can use Google Voice to have separate business and personal numbers while still only using one phone. Users are only allowed one Google Voice number per hone number. This prevents bad actors from having multiple phone numbers they can operate from. However, this does not stop them from trying, and the bad actors like to target online sellers in this scam.

  The scam starts when someone tries to sell an item online, regardless of the platform. While talking or texting with the seller, the buyer will claim that they need to verify that the seller isn’t a scammer themselves. The buyer will then claim that they’re sending a seller an authorization code to verify the seller’s integrity. The buyer will then ask the seller to repeat the code back to them.

  What’s actually happening is the buyer is setting up a Google Voice number under the seller’s phone number. The authorization code is sent by Google to make sure that a bad actor isn’t trying to use someone else’s number to sign up for Google Voice. If the seller gives out that authorization code, the scammer can hijack that Google Voice number and use it in additional scams. That way, if law enforcement attempts to trace the Google Voice number used in a scam, it will trace back to the seller.

  Thankfully, there is a surefire way to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of this scam, and that’s to sign up for your own Google Voice number. While we are in no way trying to promote Google Voice, signing up for a Google Voice number can prevent you from having a Google Voice number signed up under your phone number without your permission. If someone has already signed up for a Google Voice number that’s linked to your phone number, you can follow the instructions from Google on how to reclaim it.

   
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  Geebo 8:01 am on May 31, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: authorization code ( 7 ), google voice ( 13 ), online marketplace, Scams ( 1,354 ), verification code ( 6 )   

  BBB warns online sellers of verification scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  The Better Business Bureau is sounding the alarm to online sellers that they may not want to list their phone numbers in their ads. That’s because scammers will call these numbers posing as a buyer, only to try to use the seller’s phone number in another scam.

  For those who may not know, Google Voice is a service offered by Google that allows you to have a second phone number. That second phone number can be used for a variety of purposes. Some users who have multiple phone numbers for work and home can have all their calls forwarded to their Google Voice number. Many others use it as a way to keep spammers away. For example, when a store you frequent always asks for your phone number, you can give them your Google Voice number instead. You can even use it to avoid taking any calls. If you set it to ‘Do Not Disturb’ anyone who calls that number will be sent straight to voicemail.

  While Google Voice is a convenience for consumers, it’s also been a boon for scammers. Each Google Voice number needs to be attached to an actual phone number. You can’t sign up for the service without one. Scammers can’t use their actual phone number to sign up for Google Voice because then their calls will be traced back to them. So, what they do instead is try to sign up for Google Voice using a victim’s phone number.

  If you’re selling something online and have posted your phone number in the listing, the scammer might act like they’re sending you a code to verify that you’re not a scammer. What’s really going on is they’re signing up for Google Voice using your phone number. It’s Google who is actually sending you the verification code. If a victim gives the verification to the scammer, the scammer can then use the Google Voice number that’s tied to the victim’s phone to make more scam phone calls. If another victim complains, the phone number is traced back to the initial victim instead of the scammer.

  This scam is not just used for Google Voice. It can be used to hijack a number of online accounts, including financial accounts. If someone you don’t know says they’re sending you a code for verification, do not give them that code number. Also, you shouldn’t list your phone number in any ad listings you post. Most platforms, including Geebo.com, have a method of communicating with the seller or buyer without compromising your phone number.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on May 27, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: car wrapping ( 11 ), fake check ( 47 ), Green Dot ( 2 ), jury duty scam ( 30 ), online marketplace, Scams ( 1,354 ), Zelle ( 66 )   

  Scam Round Up: Zelle in online marketplaces and more 

  

  By Greg Collier

  As most of us get ready for a three-day weekend, let’s take a look at three scams that we all probably should review.

  ***

  In Pennsylvania Dutch Country around Lancaster, authorities are warning residents that the car wrap scam has resurfaced in their area. This is when scammers promise their victims they can make money by wrapping their car in advertisements. In this particular instance, the scammers are posing as Hershey Chocolate, which is headquartered in the area. However, this scam is a variation of the fake check scam. The scammers will send you a fraudulent check they want you to deposit in your bank account before using that money to pay an ad agency who provides the wrap. Except, there is no ad agency. They’re just another part of the scam. So by the time your bank realizes the check you deposited is fake, the scammers will be long gone, and you’ll be on the hook to your bank for the amount of the check and any subsequent fees. No legitimate employer will ever ask you to deposit money into your bank account and then have you use it for business expenses.

  ***

  In the Cincinnati area, the jury duty scam is being reported on again. Although, this could literally be from anywhere in the United States since it’s such a common scam. Once again, this is the scam where scammers pose as law enforcement or the court system and try to convince their victims over the phone that they missed jury duty. To make themselves seem legitimate, the scammers know the victim’s address and the last four digits of their Social Security number. This information was more than likely obtained in a data breach. The scammers then tell their victim that in order to avoid arrest, they can pay a fine over the phone. In the Cincinnati story, the scammers are asking for their payment specifically in prepaid debit cards known as the Green Dot card. We’re surprised that the jury duty scammers are still using Green Dot cards when most other scammers have moved on to Zelle.

  ***

  And speaking of Zelle, the money transfer app is being used in yet another scam. This time, the scammers are targeting sellers on online marketplaces. A man in Denver was trying to sell a mattress online when he got an immediate response from a supposed buyer. The buyer said that someone else would be picking up the mattress. The buyer also requested to be able to pay through Zelle, and the seller was sent an email from ‘ZelleOfficialPay@gmail.com’. The seller realized that Zelle wouldn’t be using a Gmail address. So, it sounds like that the scammers were posing as Zelle to send some kind of fraudulent payment to the seller. Remember, Zelle should only be used between friends and family. Any online transaction that requests Zelle for any reason is a good indication it could be a scam.

  ***

  Thank you for reading, and we hope you have a safe Memorial Day weekend.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 24, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: counterfeit goods ( 12 ), designer goods ( 2 ), luxury items ( 3 ), mail fraud ( 21 ), online marketplace, poshmark, Scams ( 1,354 )   

  Luxury platforms encounter same old scams 

  

  By Greg Collier

  If you’ve never heard of Poshmark, it’s an online marketplace that deals in designer clothes and items. It’s similar to eBay since Poshmark’s users can both buy and sell designer goods. There’s nothing inherently wrong with Poshmark, but with any online marketplace, Poshmark is not immune to scammers.

  A victim of a Poshmark scam recently went viral on TikTok for her video detailing how she was scammed. She had found a Chanel purse on Poshmark and bid $400 for it. Typically, Chanel purses like the one she found go for ten times that amount. The victim states that should have been a red flag, but often people will sell items like this at a steep discount just to clean out their closets.

  Her bid was accepted, and she waited for her purse to arrive in the mail. She gets a notification from the post office stating her purse had been delivered, but the purse did not arrive. She notifies Poshmark who allegedly told her that their records say the purse was delivered, so she would need to contact the United States Postal Service, which she did. USPS showed her a scan of the package. The package did not have her address but an address nearby. What was received at the incorrect address was just an empty envelope. The scammers had changed the address to something nearby to show the package was delivered by the post office. They were probably hoping that the victim would think that their package was stolen from their mailbox.

  This is not too dissimilar to a PayPal scam we’ve posted about in the past. In the PayPal scam, phony vendors will promise a popular product at a steep discount. Victims will receive some cheap product that they didn’t order. When victims have tried to argue with PayPal, in some instances, they’re told the package has been delivered to they can’t refund the payment.

  On platforms like Poshmark, consumers also have to be wary of designer counterfeits as well. These counterfeits have been known to fund organized crime or sweatshops that use child labor.

  If the seller is used to dealing with luxury items, they should have the receipt from the original purchase. Ask to see it. While it’s not a perfect way to prevent being ripped off, it does go a long way.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on February 18, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: check scam ( 79 ), fake check ( 47 ), OfferUp ( 23 ), online marketplace, overpayment scam ( 9 ), Scams ( 1,354 )   

  The oldest scam still plaguing online sellers 

  

  By Greg Collier

  It’s almost hard to believe that online marketplaces have been around for over 20 years. Geebo.com itself has been around since 1999. However, in the past two decades, there’s been a scam targeting online sellers that just won’t seem to go away. I’m referring to the fake check scam, which is also known as the overpayment scam.

  This is when an online seller is paid more than the amount they’re asking for, usually by a check. The supposed buyer will typically give some excuse as to why they overpaid. This can be anything from they accidentally wrote the amount on the check to paying for special shipping. In all cases, the buyer will ask for the difference back from the seller. After the seller deposits the check in their bank account and sends the difference back to the buyer, the seller’s bank discovers the buyer’s check is either fraudulent or stolen. The seller is then held responsible by their bank for the full amount of the check, plus any associated penalty fees. Meanwhile, the buyer makes off with whatever money the seller sent them.

  This recently happened to a man in the Phoenix area. He was selling an old couch on marketplace app OfferUp. He was only selling the couch for $300 but received a check for close to $1700. The man was instructed to keep $300 for the couch but send the remainder to a moving company for shipping. The man deposited the check through his banking app and sent the difference to the mover’s through online payment app Zelle. The movers turned out to just be another part of the scam. This all took place before the man’s bank discovered the check was counterfeit.

  Longtime online sellers are well aware of this scam, but new sellers are entering the market every day. The scammers are depending on the new people who aren’t sure what to look for when it comes to scams. They don’t need to fool every online seller, just a few to make the scam highly profitable.

  If you’re selling something online, and you receive a payment more than the asking amount, do not allow that payment to go into your bank account. Both checks and electronic transfers can turn out to be fraudulent. If the payment does make it into your bank account for some reason, instruct the buyer to reverse the payment. Whatever you do, make sure the money isn’t spent from your account. If you use a payment app like Cash App or Venmo, again, instruct the buyer to reverse the payment. Do not just return the payment.