First off, let's be clear....99.99% of the members of this site are trustworthy and 99.99% of the transactions occur without issue.
However....there are occasional problems. Some buyer/seller/scammer red flags are:
KEEP the transaction discussion IN the forum. DO NOT move it to email or phone messaging.
The key is to protect yourself and your transaction. Do your due diligence with any buyer/seller....because a transaction that's seems at all strange or suspicious
probably is.
As frustrating as Paypal can be, it still offers some of the BEST financial protection for your transactions. If a seller has requested a “no fees” type payment request, you have the option in Paypal to pay those fees on the buyers side. The seller gets their full requested amount, but the buyer retains the financial protection should issues arise. Simple math: for USA transactions, it's 2.9% plus $0.30. If you are buying something for $20, you ADD in those fees and use the "service/product" option. ($20 * 1.029) + 0.30 = $20.88. That $0.88 cost is well worth it should a transaction go sour.
If you suspect these types of issues are happening, please REPORT the user/conversation/post and offer a brief description of your suspicions.. Using the forum Reporting system allow better tracking of problem users and can assist in finding patterns that can help block future scammer registrations entirely.
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The REPORT button is located immediately below every thread and conversation post. That REPORT button gives me the info I need to investigate quickly.
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When in doubt, REPORT. Better to be wrong and have the account checked versus not reporting at all.
However....there are occasional problems. Some buyer/seller/scammer red flags are:
- little or no post history...any existing posts are usually all the same few words
- joined the forum in recent days
- suddenly posting a bunch of classifieds threads in quick succession
- prices WAY too good to be true
- language/communication oddities
- inbox's you directly, no replies in the thread
- post or inbox message requests further contact via email or phone
- requests payment from a non-standard provider (ie: trust Paypal, be wary of others)
- requests payments through multiple providers, or to other individuals (ie: "my Paypal is screwed up, can you Venmo my girlfriend?")
- Venmo/Paypal email addy has no resemblance to their name/username/account.
- insists on payment without fees (ie: never pay via Paypal friends/family)
KEEP the transaction discussion IN the forum. DO NOT move it to email or phone messaging.
The key is to protect yourself and your transaction. Do your due diligence with any buyer/seller....because a transaction that's seems at all strange or suspicious
probably is.
As frustrating as Paypal can be, it still offers some of the BEST financial protection for your transactions. If a seller has requested a “no fees” type payment request, you have the option in Paypal to pay those fees on the buyers side. The seller gets their full requested amount, but the buyer retains the financial protection should issues arise. Simple math: for USA transactions, it's 2.9% plus $0.30. If you are buying something for $20, you ADD in those fees and use the "service/product" option. ($20 * 1.029) + 0.30 = $20.88. That $0.88 cost is well worth it should a transaction go sour.
Fees | Merchant and Business | PayPal US
Get detailed information about PayPal's merchant fees. See our competitive rates for domestic and international selling.
www.paypal.com
If you suspect these types of issues are happening, please REPORT the user/conversation/post and offer a brief description of your suspicions.. Using the forum Reporting system allow better tracking of problem users and can assist in finding patterns that can help block future scammer registrations entirely.
------
The REPORT button is located immediately below every thread and conversation post. That REPORT button gives me the info I need to investigate quickly.
------
When in doubt, REPORT. Better to be wrong and have the account checked versus not reporting at all.
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