Scammers have been active in Waipā and the King Country in recent weeks.
Ryan Fleming
Our sister paper the King Country News reported that a Te Kūiti woman was recently conned into providing bank details to a caller – and then found more than $40,000 had been taken from her account.
Te Awamutu community constable Ryan Fleming in his weekly report of what police have been doing reported there were several incidents of scamming on Facebook’s marketplace.
He has put together a series of tips for readers of The News to avoid the marketplace villains.
“By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of being scammed on Facebook Marketplace,” he says.
- Verify Profiles – Check the seller’s profile to ensure it’s genuine. Look for profiles with a profile picture, cover photo, and bio information.
- Be Cautious of Low Prices – If the price is significantly lower than similar items, it may be a scam.
- Check Photos and Descriptions – Ensure photos are clear and show the item from multiple angles. Be wary of blurry or stock photos. Read descriptions carefully and check for red flags like poor grammar or spelling.
- Use Facebook’s Built-in Features – Features like Purchase Protection and Shipping Labels ensure a smooth transaction.
- Communicate on Facebook – Keep all communication within Facebook Messenger to ensure you’re protected by Facebook’s policies.
- Meet in a Safe Location – Meet the seller in a public place and bring a friend or family member for added safety.
- Don’t Send Money – Never send money or make payments outside of Facebook’s payment system.
- Report Suspicious Activity – If you suspect a scam, report it to Facebook immediately.
- Keep Personal Info Private – Don’t share personal info like your address or financial info.
- Trust Your Instincts – If something feels off, trust your instincts and walk away.
Scammers at work. Photo: Mikhail Nilov: pexels.com
