Stratford Police Warn Of Facebook Marketplace Scams

STRATFORD, CT — As part of its weekly feature, Stratford police are warning residents of Facebook Marketplace scams.

Stratford police plan to highlight a new scam weekly based on what reports they are receiving in town.

Read more from the police department below:

PERSONAL SERVICE SCAMS

The scammer will request a service, like home cleaning, and will attach a link “with all of the details” when you click the link you open your computer/device to viruses/spyware.

INSTANT INTEREST IN ITEM

The buyer wants you to send a text to arrange an immediate pickup of the item; this is an attempt to get your phone number. The scammer will quickly register for a Google voice number, which will send a verification code to your phone. The scammer will then ask you to tell them the code just to verify “you are a real person”

WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IS: that specific code will unlock the Google voice number, which the scammer will use to do more scams, including stealing your identity.

FAKE RENTAL PROPERTIES

The housing advertised might be what you’re looking for, but don’t send a deposit until you have had the chance to tour the place to make sure it is as advertised AND it’s available.

SCAMMERS WILL ADVERTISE PROPERTIES THAT AREN’T EVEN FOR RENT AND WILL DISAPPEAR ONCE THE DEPOSIT HAS BEEN RECEIVED – OFTEN TAKING PHOTOS FROM ACTUAL REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

OVERPAYMENT

The buyer and seller agree on a $50 price, but the buyer pays $100, says it was a mistake and asks for $50 back. The bank WILL catch up with you. ALSO: the card that the seller used could have been stolen or the check, counterfeit. You will lose out on the original payment AS WELL AS any additional overpayment you returned.

TIPS:

•ALWAYS MEET IN PUBLIC PLACES – DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS/WELL LIT – IN THE FRONT PARKING LOT OF STRATFORD PD IS A GREAT PLACE 👮🏻‍♂️

•CHECK THE BUYER/SELLER’S PROFILE – DOES IT APPEAR NEW OR DOES IT SEEM LIKE AN ESTABLISHED PROFILE/ACCOUNT?

•DECLINE TO ACCEPT OVERPAYMENTS AND REQUEST EXACT AMOUNTS – USE TRUSTED PAYMENT METHODS, PAYPAL – FACEBOOK CHECKOUT – BE WARY OF VENMO/ZELLE/CASHAPP - These require a little more confirmation on your part

•DO NOT SEND THE ITEM BEFORE PAYMENT IS RECEIVED

•DO NOT COMMUNICATE OUTSIDE OF MARKETPLACE

•DO NOT PROVIDE PERSONAL INFORMATION

•IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS

•IF YOU FEEL UNEASY TRUST YOUR GUT

Report a Scam Listing:

1.) With the item listing open on your device screen, click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner.

2.) Click “report listing.” A menu of action items will pop up.

3.) Click “scam, “appears to be counterfeit”

4.) You also will have the option to block the seller.

Report a Scam Seller

1.) With the item listing open on your device screen, tap the name of the seller.

2.) Tap the three dots below the seller’s name.

3.) Click “report seller.”

4.) Follow the prompts.

Report a Scam Buyer

1.) With the item listing open on your device screen, click the box that reads “more options.”

2.) Then click “report buyer.”

3.) You also will have the option to block the buyer.