Watch out when selling big-ticket items on Facebook Marketplace. Scammers have a new trick up their sleeves.
According to BBB Scam Tracker reports, be wary of phony buyers who “need” you to upgrade your Zelle or another digital wallet app to accept money from them.
People who list an item worth several hundred dollars on Facebook Marketplace have reported a quick response from a buyer who wants to pay using a peer-to-peer payment app. Recent BBB Scam Tracker reports reference Zelle, but this scam also could also work with CashApp, Venmo or another similar service.
Shortly after receiving the payment, you get an email, supposedly from Zelle. Allegedly, the buyer paid via a Zelle “business account.” Now, you also need to upgrade your account to business status to accept the transfer. To do so, the buyer will need to send you another $300. They are happy to do you a favor — if you promise to refund them.
If you refund the scammer, you’ll quickly realize they never sent you any money in the first place. You’ll be out a few hundred dollars and the scammer will disappear.
To avoid scams when selling online, follow these tips from the Better Business Bureau:
• Don’t trust anyone willing to overpay you. Unless your item is rare and you receive multiple offers, be wary of buyers offering you more than your asking price. Consider it a red…
