Beware Of Scams On Online Classified Ads

Free classifieds are gaining popularity with each passing day because of their cost effectiveness and efficiency of reaching target audience. But, as with any good thing, there comes a risk of scammers and cheaters. Beware of these scammers else your money is out of your hands before you even realize it. Online frauds come in many ways. A major kind of scam in classified ads sites is automotive fraud. A typical fraudster may post free ads describing the vehicles owned by him using the photos from websites such as eBay motors.

This fraudster attracts the buyers with an offer price that is thousands less than the market value. After a prospective buyer contacts him and the "deal" is settled, the scammer requests the buyer to send the money to him, either by PayPal or wire transfer for the shipping process as it is overseas. The moment the buyer commits the deal and transfers the money the scammer vanishes with it. The buyer might sometimes take days to realize that he has been scammed. Another common fraud is the other way round of the above scenario.

The buyer cheats the seller. As a response to an ad regarding a vehicle, a buyer shows fake interest in the deal. He typically asks for the vehicle identification number using the excuse of checking the accident records. Once he has the number in hand, he uses them to make fake identification papers and are later used in selling a stolen car. Although this is not an immediate loss of money to the seller, he may have difficulties in selling his car later because of the clash of the identification number. So be careful in responding to free ads given in online classified ads websites.

Sometimes the buyer responds asking for the option of paying through credit card because of his remote location in the world and asks the merchant if he can ship the car to his address. Once the merchant ships and charges the credit card, few weeks or even months later, he will be hit back by the credit card company for charge processing fees, thereby making it a loss of both product and money for the seller. Outside the automotive world, typical scam classified ads read something like this: "Earn $2000 weekly. Work from home for a minimum amount of time and get as much as $2000. Pay $50 as registration fees".

Once you pay the $50, you will never be contacted, and you will realize that the company that offered the work never existed. Sometimes the ad might say "no registration fee, visit this website". Once you open the site, it will ask for registration fees. This technique is employed by the fraudster to increase the traffic for the website. Free classified ads are a great aid in your business but don't fall for these kinds of scams and make your business deal a sour one!