How to spot purchase fraud
Purchase scams are built to look like a bargain you would be foolish to miss. The listing looks genuine, the seller seems friendly, and the price is just low enough to make you act quickly. The signs in this article are the ones we see most often, and spotting even one of them is reason enough to pause and check before you pay.
The price is too good to be true.
You may see the item listed at a lower price than usual, and it may include the claim that it is a “special offer” and that time is running out to purchase it at the lower price.
You have not seen the item in person.
The item will be listed online, which may show a genuine-looking item that has been copied from the original. The listing will usually look legitimate, and with the advancements in technology, it is becoming harder to spot a fake from the real one.
The ‘seller’ wants a quick sale and makes excuses for why.
The seller will claim that they just want rid of the item and want to sell it quickly. This is another tactic to push you into doing fewer checks and acting on impulse, rather than doing your due diligence.
The seller will not let you view the item before selling or makes excuses, such as the item being far away or abroad.
When you ask to view the item in person before purchasing, the seller will make various excuses as to why this cannot happen. This is a major red flag, as if the seller had nothing to hide and the item was legitimate, then they should have no problem with you viewing it in person.
They may offer delivery at a very low price or included in the price.
Another tactic used by scammers to trick you into a purchase scam is offering delivery fees included within the price or at a discount, which makes the purchase even more attractive to you when buying the item.
The request for payment in cryptocurrency or through PayPal ‘friends and family’.
Scammers will look to evade banking security by asking for payment in unusual ways. They will sometimes request that payment be made through crypto or through PayPal ‘friends and family’. Both these payment methods have fewer protections, so it may be more difficult to recover if you have paid this way.
They put pressure on you to purchase the item.
The scammers will use pressure tactics to push you into purchasing the item. This is a common tactic used by fraudsters in most scams. It moves you into a state of impulse and panic, rather than thinking straight and doing your due diligence. If you suspect someone is putting pressure on you, then you should take a step back, do your research, and speak to others before making any decisions.