In the digital age, the convenience of online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace has revolutionised the way we buy and sell goods. However, with this ease comes a new wave of sophisticated scams that can catch even the most vigilant among us off guard.
Take the bizarre incident experienced by an innocent couple in Queensland, for example. Their story serves as a cautionary tale for all Australians, especially those over 50 who may be newer to the nuances of online transactions.
Leah and Gerard found themselves at the centre of a perplexing scam when over 100 people began showing up at their doorstep. These unexpected visitors were all looking to pick up items they believed they had purchased online—items ranging from TVs to couches, mattresses, and outdoor furniture. The problem is that they haven’t listed anything online for sale.
The couple was baffled. ‘No idea why it’s happened to us,’ Gerard remarked, echoing the confusion and frustration that many victims of scams feel. The situation escalated to the point where they had to erect a warning sign and a safety barrier in their driveway to manage the flow of misled buyers.
The scam operated by thieves creating fake listings on Facebook Marketplace, using Leah and Gerard’s address as the pick-up location. Unsuspecting buyers, lured by the promise of a good deal, were given this address to collect their purchases. Some had even paid deposits or arranged for third-party services to pick up the items on their behalf.
‘They would arrive anywhere from 7.30 in the morning right through 10-10.30 at night,’ Lea recalled.
ID Care, a local cyber support group, has noted an uptick in such scams. The scammers often choose random addresses to appear as local, trustworthy sellers. Dave Lacey, the chief executive of ID Care, warns that these scams don’t just risk financial loss.
‘We find with many of the victims that are giving money, they’re also giving away scanned copies of their driver’s licence, for example,’ he said, highlighting the potential for identity theft.
To avoid falling prey to such scams, it’s crucial to recognise the warning signs. Be wary of sellers with new profiles lacking followers, listings with photos that look like they’re from a catalogue, or prices that seem too good to be true. These are all signs that the seller may not be legitimate.
Leah and Gerard’s ordeal finally came to an end when their local member of parliament intervened, prompting Facebook’s owner, Meta, to take action against the fraudulent seller.
The couple’s relief was palpable. ‘We’re just thankful that it’s stopped,’ Gerard said.
For our readers at YourLifeChoices, we urge you to exercise caution when using online marketplaces. Always verify the seller’s authenticity, and never share personal documents like your driver’s licence without absolute certainty of the seller’s legitimacy. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Have you or someone you know encountered a similar scam? Share your experiences in the comments below to help others stay informed and protected.
Also read: Discover the sophisticated scams driving a spike in online fraud losses
