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Offerup by state8/12/2023 ![]() How to avoid it: Clark Howard says that you should use payment apps to send money only to friends or family – never to strangers! If a criminal knows your payment app username, all they have to do is crack your password to gain access to the money in your checking account. They also could claim overpayment by providing a bogus receipt. The scammer shares a bogus receipt as proof and prompts you for reimbursement right away, creating a sense of urgency. The scammer tells you that there is a fee associated with the upgrade and as a courtesy, he/she will front you the money. Scammers claim that they’re using an upgraded “business version” of payment apps such as Zelle, Venmo or Cash App and that you have to upgrade your account to accept money from them. Scams often start when you give away personal information, but staying in the OfferUp app can help keep you safe. How to avoid it: Using OfferUp’s messaging platform means you never have to share your email or phone number. And it’s all linked to your actual phone number! That Google Voice account can then forward Google Voice texts and calls to a number of their choosing. If you give that verification code, you’re giving the scammer the ability to victimize others with an account associated with your phone number. One example: Under the pretense of wanting to verify your identity, a scammer will ask for your phone number so they can have a Google Voice verification code texted to you. OfferUp Scams: When You’re the Seller Messaging Scamsīe careful when buyers (or sellers) want to take communication off of the OfferUp platform. How to avoid it: OfferUp is a place to buy and sell goods, not for investment opportunities, so if you see an investment marketed on the platform, don’t fall for it! You should also make sure to compare the price of any item you’re considering buying to similar items on OfferUp and other online marketplaces. If you see a new iPhone being sold for $20 or Taylor Swift concert tickets for $15, the items are likely counterfeit or stolen. Other scams can involve premium goods priced well below their market value. Thieves may dangle an opportunity to make money off of investments - if you send them some money first. ![]() Investment Opportunity or “Too Good To Be True” Scams Counterfeit emails could look convincing if the word “OfferUp” is used in the username, but the key to checking legitimacy lies in the domain name. Here are more ways to spot a fake online store. In general, do not click on these links or log into anything you don’t know. Copy the URL and paste it into the Google page if you’re not sure about its authenticity. How to avoid it: Google’s Safe Browsing site status page verifies whether links are legitimate. By staying on the OfferUp platform to complete transactions, you avoid these shipping scams. How to avoid it: OfferUp factors in the cost of shipping, so you’ll always see the fees associated with it. So if someone tells you that or shows you an invoice, it’s a scam. Selling scammers can claim they paid shipping fees by sending you a bogus invoice, but OfferUp does not allow sellers to complete transactions on other platforms. OfferUp Scams: When You’re the Buyer Shipping Scams In this article, I’ve detailed the most common scams you might encounter on OfferUp. But beware: Online marketplaces such as OfferUp can be havens for scammers because of the anonymity the internet offers. If you have toys your children have outgrown, or maybe you have unused items sitting in storage, selling some of that stuff on OfferUp can boost your bottom line. Extra income doesn’t need to come just by working more: You can sell unwanted items and cash in that way. With inflation hitting everyone’s wallet, it’s not surprising if you’re seeking ways to stretch your budget.
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