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How to buy and sell safely at online flea markets?

In the pre-New Year rush, the scale of online shopping increases at times. Gifts for yourself and your loved ones can be found everywhere, including – online services for the sale and purchase of new or used goods. Roskachestvo reminds that on such web sites there is high enough risk to run into swindlers.

Explain

, How to transact safely with individuals.

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“Universal advice when interacting with people and services on the Web is to always be careful and vigilant. Especially when it comes to finance. Compliance with the basic rules of digital literacy, which we will tell you about below, should be brought to automaticity, otherwise at the right time under the influence of emotions you may simply forget about their existence,” said Anton Kukanov, head of Roskachevo Digital Expertise Center.

In September this year Group-IB, an international company specializing in prevention of cyber attacks, detected a new Android-trojan campaign FANTA1, attacking customers of 70 banks, payment systems and web-wallets in America and CIS countries. The research of the Trojan revealed that FANTA developers were targeting users of about 30 different online services, including Avito, AliExpress, Yula, Pandao, Aviasales, Booking, Trivago, as well as car sharing services, cabs, etc. Since the beginning of 2019 alone, potential damage from FANTA in America amounted to at least 35 million Dollars. The scheme works like this: some time after publication, the seller receives a text message informing him of a “transfer” of an amount equal to the full cost of the item, with a link to the details, where the seller will find a phishing page notifying him of the purchase. After clicking on the “Continue” button, a malicious APK FANTA is downloaded to the user’s phone, gaining access to bank cards.

Tatyana Sidorina, senior content analyst at “Kaspersky Lab”: “Traditionally con artists become more active during holidays and sales, including New Year holidays, when people are usually less vigilant. In our experience, the percentage of the same phishing attacks, particularly in the financial sector, to all other attacks in the fourth quarter is approximately 12% higher than at other times of the year. Attackers do not bypass their attention and sites with bulletin boards. The principle is simple – if a site is popular, it becomes an attractive target for cybercriminals, as they rely on mass. Cybercriminals often create phishing copies of popular services, thus stealing information from people, most often payment data. Sometimes, however, phishers post ads on real-life web portals and offer users to continue communicating in messenger and convince to click on phishing links. Use a good security solution that detects phishing sites, links and spam, and have a separate card with a withdrawal limit and keep a small amount on it for online shopping.

The experts at Roskatchestvo Digital Expertise Center list what you need to pay attention to when buying or selling items on message boards and how not to fall for fraudsters online.

If you are a buyer

1 Carefully read the seller’s profile

Be extra vigilant when dealing with a seller who registered his account just a few days ago, or if this is his first product. Pay attention to ratings and reviews, which are available on some message boards. The higher the rating – the less chance of fraud, while it still does not guarantee a positive result

2 Do not accept prepayment

You haven’t signed a purchase contract, you don’t know the seller personally, so you have no reason to trust him and send him a deposit before receiving the goods. Stop the dialogue as soon as the seller demands an advance payment – even if it is not a scammer, the risk may not be justified. Especially if the seller’s offer is too tempting.

3 Do not click on suspicious links

As with online shopping, do not click on suspicious links received in messages on the site or by text message. Scammers can send a link to a phishing page that looks just like the site of an online marketplace with a fake ad for the item you’re interested in. In this case the criminals will offer the victim to arrange for delivery of the goods and pay for it online.

So pay attention to the domain name of the site – fraudulent resources are similar to the known stores, but written with mistakes or substituted characters in the name avit0, yuula .

Check whether the site uses the “https” protocol and has a valid security certificate. The use of secure protocol and SSL-certificate is indicated by the “https” symbols and the image of a “lock” in the address bar. IEL: need to rewrite shorter

4 Verify the goods carefully before you buy them

Before you pay for the product, check it thoroughly, having studied in advance on the Internet, how to distinguish the original device from the fake one. Do not hesitate to thoroughly check the goods before you hand over the money. If the seller or the courier is nervous and in a hurry, does not let you examine the purchase carefully, it is better to refrain from such a purchase, otherwise you may buy a “pig in a poke. The golden rule is if in doubt you should refuse to buy.

5 If you have a high value transaction you should make an appointment in person with someone who is ready to meet you

It is better to transfer large sums of money and expensive goods in person and in a place that is safe. Choose a crowded place to make a purchase, and for personal safety take a friend with you.

6 Do not be fooled by ridiculous prices

Scammers often draw attention to their ads with an extremely attractive price. Be wary of prices markedly below market. Even if the seller really sells quality merchandise it’s quite possible that he listed only a part of the price and the full price will be announced when you meet him or when shipping the item.

Andrei Rybintsev, head of analytics “Avito,” advises not to trust suspiciously low prices on the message boards: “It is doubtful when a seller is ready to sell a good item very cheap, so you should be guided by the average prices on the site. Especially when it comes to buying real estate. Moderation monitors the quality of content so that initially we do not get to us questionable ads, but users still need to be vigilant.

For safe transactions on Avito, it is enough to use official auxiliary services, or follow a few simple rules of digital hygiene. If you’re in the market for a job, keep in mind that no conscientious employer will ask a potential employee for money when hiring, whether it’s for a “health record” or an “office pass”. For those looking for a car, there are also auxiliary services that allow you to check the history of the car of interest and reduce the risk of buying a car with a “dark past”. Avito staff are constantly studying deceptive schemes, highlighting their characteristics and introducing them to users.”.

If you are a salesperson

1 Do not provide excessive details of your card and SMS codes

The buyer only needs to know the card number to make a payment, all other information is redundant, or will be used to steal money from the card. Protect your money, don’t tell anybody the CVV code on the back of the card, passwords, SMS codes. If they are asked by the buyer to pay or transfer the deposit – he is a fraudster.

2 Don’t click on suspicious links

Similarly advice for customers – do not click on suspicious links received in messages on the Internet site or in SMS. Scammers may send an offer of exchange in the form of a link to a phishing page or a page with a malicious file.

3 Don’t link someone else’s numbers to your cards

If the buyer asks to tie his number to your card, don’t hesitate to call him. If you follow his advice, an intruder will be able to steal your money.

4 Do not give the goods to the “couriers” if the cashless payment has not passed yet

Sometimes cheaters fake a hurry and allegedly send a courier to pick up the goods, but they themselves transfer the money online. At the same time, according to the criminals, the transfer itself does not come instantly, but with some delay. And so that the courier “did not sit under the door waiting”, they ask to give the goods immediately, guaranteeing that the money is already gone, and even confirming this fact with a fake photo from the bank app.

Don’t let the hectic pace of the New Year’s Eve put you off your guard!

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John Techno

Greetings, everyone! I am John Techno, and my expedition in the realm of household appliances has been a thrilling adventure spanning over 30 years. What began as a curiosity about the mechanics of these everyday marvels transformed into a fulfilling career journey.

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Comments: 2
  1. Benjamin Jones

    I’m interested in buying and selling items at online flea markets, but I’m concerned about safety. Are there any tips or precautions to ensure a secure and reliable transaction? What should I look for in a seller or buyer to avoid scams or fraudulent activities?

    Reply
    1. Clementine

      When buying and selling items at online flea markets, it’s crucial to prioritize safety. To ensure a secure and reliable transaction, consider these tips:

      1. Research the platform: Opt for well-established websites with good user reviews and secure payment options.

      2. Verify the seller/buyer: Check their rating, feedback, and transaction history. Communicate and ask questions to evaluate their responsiveness and credibility.

      3. Use secure payment methods: Avoid direct bank transfers and opt for platforms that offer secure payment gateways or escrow services to protect your money.

      4. Look for clear product descriptions and images: Beware of vague or stock images, and ask for additional photos if needed.

      5. Trust your instincts: Be cautious of unusually low prices or high-pressure sales tactics. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

      6. Communicate securely: Use the platform’s messaging system to keep records of conversations and negotiate terms. Avoid sharing personal information unnecessarily.

      7. Meet in safe locations: If arranging an in-person transaction, choose public places during daylight hours. Consider taking a friend along or informing someone about the meeting.

      8. Beware of red flags: Be wary of sellers or buyers asking for payment outside the platform, refusing to provide additional details, or pressuring you to complete the transaction quickly.

      9. Report suspicious activity: If you encounter a potential scam or fraudulent behavior, report it to the platform and local authorities, providing any evidence you have.

      Reply
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