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False payment requests via trading site

The Fraud Help Desk still sees many reports of false payment requests via an online trading place. Usually it concerns the request to transfer a cent. In this way you unnoticeably give personal information to a scammer.

Have you put something up for sale on a trading site? You may then be contacted by scammers. A well-known trick is that the so-called buyer wants to know whether you can be trusted. He or she claims to have had a bad experience with online purchases.To be sure who you are, the 'buyer' asks you to transfer a few cents. Your full name will also be visible during the transfer. The excuse is also used that you provide the correct account number in this way. Sometimes you will also be asked for a copy of your ID.

To transfer the cent, the so-called buyer will send you a payment link. You think you will end up on your banking website via this link. But the link points to a fake website. All data you enter here will end up with the scammer. Consider, for example, your bank account number, login details and identification codes. The scammer can now use your data to do online banking.

Advice

Always be careful when you buy or sell something over the internet. Be extra careful if someone says they are afraid of scams. This often concerns criminals who hope that you take an extra step that they can take advantage of.

Stay within the trading venue's messaging system for communications and financial transactions. Do not respond to links that an unknown person sends via e-mail, text message or app.