Day 75: A bit of information to save you some aggravation

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 75: A bit of information to save you some aggravation

   

If you’re planning on selling something on Facebook, beware, danger is lurking. Scammers are on the loose and this time you might not even know that you’re being scammed.

It goes somewhat like this …

You list an item for sale on Facebook and sooner or later you’ll get the response “Is this item still available?” If you say that it is, the person will show a great interest. He or she might respond with “I really love this”, “I’m really interested in buying this”, or “Please hold the item for me.”

Next there might be a price negotiation and eventually the person will make arrangements for pick up or if you’re planning on mailing the item your email address to pay via PayPal. This is where it gets dangerous.

If you never had dealings with this person, DO NOT give out your address. Rather arrange a meeting in a coffee shop, park, street corner or even the lobby of your apartment/condo building.

If the person asks for your email address to pay via PayPal, be VERY CAREFUL divulging this information.

The dangers of giving out your address are obvious … the person now knows where you live and can use this information for all kinds of mischief.

If you think that giving out your email address can’t do much harm, think again … this is how identify theft starts and other nonsense.

Usually I’m good with spotting scammers, but in this case I fell for it. Not once, not twice, but three times.

I listed two rugs, a set of curtains and a set of rings for sale and it didn’t take long for the scammers to notice this. I received comments such as 

“Oh how gorgeous, I want this”

“I’m at work right now but I’ll pay you as soon as I get home”, or 

“This is exactly what I’m looking for”.

Of course, once they had my email address, I never heard from them again. If it happens to you, they will sell your email address a be paid handsomely for it. How will you know that your email address has been sold … you’ll get lots and lots of junk mail in your inbox.

You’ll get emails for all kinds of insurance, foot care, laser surgery, gutter cleaning, mattresses, pest control, etc.

I fell for their scam not once, not twice but three times, but the third time is definitely the last time. I thought I’d pass on this bit of information to save you some aggravation.