In recent years, online shopping has experienced a very significant increase. And for good reason, they are simple and accessible to everyone. On the other hand, online shopping has opened the way to many scams. There is also a PayPal scam that you should watch out for.
A PayPal scam
Many PayPal users are victims of a terrible PayPal scam. Indeed, 60 Million consumers have sounded the alarm on this subject. Fortunately, the magazine also gave advice to prevent the French from falling into the trap.
Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Le Bon Coin continue to gain followers. And the least we can say is that transactions between individuals are increasing. On the other hand, it is also the favorite playground of scammers.
60 Million Consumers has also warned users about a very dangerous scam. The magazine revealed that Sylvie, a regular user of Facebook Marketplace, had decided to implement selling an old coffee maker for 45 euros.
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Very quickly, she received a message from a buyer. The latter then offered to make a payment directly via the PayPal platform. Happy to sell her coffee maker fairly quickly, the saleswoman did not detect the scam directly.
As reported by 60 Million Consumers, Sylvie then received an SMS containing a link. The buyer specified that the amount included an additional 15 euros for shipping and reservation costs. That therefore represented a total of 60 euros.
Precautions to take
Sylvie then clicked on the PayPal link. On the other hand, the main interested party was directed to a page which perfectly reproduced the application interface. Shortly after, the saleswoman received a phone call from someone.
The latter then presented himself as a PayPal advisor. He then guided Sylvie through a procedure supposed to validate the transaction. On the other hand, the main interested party was actually in contact with a scammer.
On the other hand, be aware that the fake PayPal site and the phone call were part of a very well-crafted scam. As 60 Million Consumers points out, the scammer took advantage of this scam to obtain Sylvie's banking details.
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In a few minutes, the scammer transferred 9,000 euros from Livret A from Sylvie to her current account before emptying it into an accomplice account. This sum represented the seller's life savings. She could do nothing to prevent this theft.
To reduce the risk of fraud, 60 Million Consumers advises staying on secure messaging platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Le Bon Coin. You should also avoid exchanges via SMS or emails, where scammers can insert fraudulent links.
Additionally, you should never click on links received by SMS or email. Even if they appear to come from a reliable source. You must therefore directly access the official website of PayPal or the platform concerned.
You must also systematically verify the identity of the people you are speaking with before finalizing a transaction. You should also be wary unsolicited telephone calls.
Source: 60 Million Consumers
