Avoid Online Payment Fraud

Online Marketplace Scams

Whether you are looking for a new car, appliance, or a family pet, online marketplaces can be great places to start. However, anonymous listings and virtual transactions are a common place for scams. If you pay in advance for something you have not seen in person, the item may not arrive as advertised. In fact, it may not arrive at all.

How to avoid these scams:

• ✓ Look critically at seller profiles and listings: If you are buying something from an online seller and notice they don’t have favorable ratings or lack a sales history on the platform, they may not be legitimate. It’s also important to be aware of how much things cost and suspect a scam when something is priced far below or above its worth.
• ✓ Use secure payment methods: Opt for platforms, like PayPal's Goods & Services or credit cards, that can offer you buyer protection. Avoid using payment apps, as they should be viewed the same as paying with cash. Payments are difficult to trace, and once your money has been sent, it’s gone. Only use them with people you know and trust.

Event Ticket Scams

High-demand events, like concerts, festivals, and sporting events, can be prime targets for ticketing scams. From counterfeit tickets to legitimate ones being sold multiple times under multiple listings, it’s easy for scammers to sell tickets online and then quickly disappear. Sometimes a seller insists on upfront payment with a promise of putting tickets in the mail or sending them to your phone, but the tickets never arrive. In many cases, buyers don't realize they have been scammed until they are denied entry to the event.

How to avoid it:

• ✓ Buy from trusted vendors and be wary of promotions: Only purchase tickets from the venue directly or through verified sellers. You can investigate their authenticity by searching the Better Business Bureau or the National Association of Ticket Brokers. Ads promising discounts for popular events should not be trusted, as they are commonly linked to scams.
• ✓ Only purchase with protection: Credit cards are usually the best method to use, as many provide built-in buyer protection. Check your card’s terms and conditions to be sure. If a seller is urging you to use a method of payment that is not secure, such as a gift card, this should be viewed as a potential scam.

Rental Scams

If you are looking to lease a new property, it’s important to be aware that rental scams are on the rise. While listings online can be helpful in your search, it’s easy for scammers to post stolen photos and false information to try and scam people who are searching for a new home.

How to avoid it:

• ✓ Don’t fall for fake photos: If you are looking at beautiful photos of a home listed well below market average, chances are, it’s a scam. Research rent prices in your area so you can know what looks good and what looks too good to be legitimate. 
• ✓ Never send initial payment using a payment app: Before meeting a new landlord or property manager in person, you should not send them any form of payment. You might later arrange to provide electronic payment for rent, but never send money to someone you don’t know.