BE AWARE OF BUYING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Buying on social media has it pitfalls so be aware when making purchases. Not all the sellers and buyers on social media platforms are out to get you but many are

With the Christmas Season approaching many community members will be looking to make sales and purchases and advertise them online using platforms such as Facebook marketplace and Gumtree.

Brighton Beach Police are investigating numerous cases of Fraud relating to these types of purchases and sales.

Tracking suspects who make use of fake user profiles, uber collections and drop offs as well as fraudulent banking confirmations make this a very difficult crime to combat as well as investigate.

From a combating point of view it is impossible to police private purchases and decisions regarding who a person sells to or buys from in the comfort of their own homes thus awareness of the prevalence of this type of crime is very important.

MARKETPLACE – SELLING AN ITEM

Check the buyers profile of items previous advertised, bought and sold is one way to establish if the person makes frequent sales and is reliable.

Their user profile number of friends and posts should indicate regular usage and what you need to know about the buyer. Few details and friends/ photos usually indicate a new account.

Ask for a copy of the buyers’ identity document, and details of the vehicle that will be used by the buyer when collecting the items. If you are being paid by bank transfer E wallet etc, make sure the correct amount of funds are cleared in your account before agreeing to the collection of the item. Do not allow the goods to leave with only banking confirmation by the buyer, check your account. Do not accept part payments.

If the buyer will indicates that they need to transfer the money as they are stuck at work/ car broken down etc and they will send an alternate person/ uber to collect the item, rather stick with your originally agreed to terms and cancel or delay the sale until the buyer can meet your original terms. A serious buyer will not be deterred.

Any “last minute” changes to what you have agreed to with respect to the collection and or payment of the goods are concerning.

Always record the time and date of collection the Buyers name, ID Number, address, car make model colour and registration, contact numbers etc for your records. Hopefully you will never need them but if you later establish that you have been scammed this will assist Authorities in trying to trace the buyer.

BUYING:

If buying an item online check the seller’s profile.

See if the items being sold are not being sold by other parties on other social media groups (Photos) and check if the contact numbers are the same or different.

Always arrange to collect the item yourself and do not request the seller to post/ uber the item to you. Watch out for fake business profiles. See what they buy and sell, if they are regular suppliers.

Again be aware of any “Last Minute Changes” rather lose out on that particular item than your money.

BE AWARE OF FAKE ONLINE BUSINESSES. DO SOME RESEARCH

Always record the time and date of collection.

Sellers name, ID Number, address, contact numbers etc for your records. Hopefully you will never need them but if you later establish that you have been scammed this will assist Authorities in trying to trace the buyer.

WARN AND PROTECT OTHER BUYERS

If you feel that you have averted being scammed please report the matter to the administrators of the Social media site (block the profile). Also report this matter to the SAPS. Remember that scammers do this for a living and there will be buyers/ sellers out there not as aware as you are where the information you have collected could be useful.