Suspicious Payment Arrangements
Avoid Massive Discounts
You know the old saying: “if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.” If you see a PlayStation 5 for sale for $50, ignore the temptation to click the link. If you receive anything at all after the purchase, it won’t be a PlayStation. Huge discounts on items that sell for much higher everywhere else indicate the seller is trying to coax you into an impulse buy. Take a moment and look closely at the branding on any images. Chances are, it will be something like “PlaStation”—not “PlayStation.” An off-brand product that looks just like the real thing except on closer inspection.
Payment Verification Emails
Watch Out for Long Ship Times
If you notice a seller with abnormally long shipping times, it can be a sign of a scam. If that shipping time is more than two weeks, it’s likely an attempt to wait for the payment to go through and then void the purchase.
Watch Out for New Sellers
With this in mind, many scammers operate multiple accounts. Keep an eye on the age of the account, as well as reviews. If it is a brand-new account, proceed with caution. The same applies if there are no seller reviews. Unfortunately, anyone can fall prey to scams. It doesn’t matter how careful you are–sometimes it just happens. Maybe you were in a hurry or you just clicked on the wrong thing. Regardless of what happened, there are actions you can take. The next step is to report a security issue. While this will likely be done automatically when you file a fraud report, it doesn’t hurt to follow up. If you provided information to the seller that could potentially identify you, let your financial institutions know to be on the lookout for fraud. It isn’t always easy to avoid scams. No matter how many safeguards are put in place, scammers find ways around them. The best way to avoid getting scammed is to be wary of any purchases you make. Pay attention to the listing and avoid impulse buys whenever possible.
