Yet another Facebook scam

[Blueblaze]

I posted some tools to sell on Facebook Marketplace and some guy named "Bossa" offered to pay me for a table saw with Zelle and said his son with the truck would come by and pick it up. The "Zelle" notification went straight to my spam folder. It looked real, but said the transaction was on hold because my bank account wasn't a business account and that the sender would need to raise the amount to $300 so they could convert it to a business account so the transaction would go through. Have you ever heard anything so absurd?

So I asked him what the hell was going on and he said he got the same message, but he would trust me to send me the $300 and then I could just bounce it back to him.

How dumb do these idiots think people are? Does that ever work? I literally copied the text of the fake Zelle message into Google search and it immediately produced a warning of that exact scam. So I clicked the guy's profile and it said he was in Orlando, but the spelling was "Bre Bossa". So I searched for "Bossa" and found a guy in India with a similar empty profile and no real name. And, of course, there was no way to report either fake profile as a known scammer -- all I could do was flag them both as possible fakes.

I don't know why Facebook refuses to clean up their mess. How would you even go about creating a fake profile? I remember being forced to prove my identify when I first started using it years ago. Apparently, that rule only applies to non-criminals.

I think the only way to get through to Zuckerberg is to quit using Facebook until they quit allowing these stupid scams and fake profiles. I deleted my profile. I'm done with it.

[Randall55]

I posted some tools to sell on Facebook Marketplace and some guy named "Bossa" offered to pay me for a table saw with Zelle and said his son with the truck would come by and pick it up. The "Zelle" notification went straight to my spam folder. It looked real, but said the transaction was on hold because my bank account wasn't a business account and that the sender would need to raise the amount to $300 so they could convert it to a business account so the transaction would go through. Have you ever heard anything so absurd?

So I asked him what the hell was going on and he said he got the same message, but he would trust me to send me the $300 and then I could just bounce it back to him.

How dumb do these idiots think people are? Does that ever work? I literally copied the text of the fake Zelle message into Google search and it immediately produced a warning of that exact scam. So I clicked the guy's profile and it said he was in Orlando, but the spelling was "Bre Bossa". So I searched for "Bossa" and found a guy in India with a similar empty profile and no real name. And, of course, there was no way to report either fake profile as a known scammer -- all I could do was flag them both as possible fakes.

I don't know why Facebook refuses to clean up their mess. How would you even go about creating a fake profile? I remember being forced to prove my identify when I first started using it years ago. Apparently, that rule only applies to non-criminals.

I think the only way to get through to Zuckerberg is to quit using Facebook until they quit allowing these stupid scams and fake profiles. I deleted my profile. I'm done with it. I have never used it and never will. It is a security risk.

[Keefelane66]

I listen to my grandkids advising me I would be lame to stay on Facebook basically all social media.
But I’m here finding out CostCo is coming soon.

[Bill14564]

So how does this scam work? Do they expect you to send the $300 back to them before you confirm that you received it?

[retiredguy123]

So how does this scam work? Do they expect you to send the $300 back to them before you confirm that you received it?
Yes, the scammer wants you to think that you have received money that you have not received. You will then "return" money to the scammer that you actually never received.

[JohnN]

I'm glad this is all way over my head, so I don't use it.

[frayedends]

I got back on Facebook specifically for neighborhood info on the area I bought a house in the Villages. The amount of scams today is insane. Between the autistic kid t-shirt designer, the duct cleaning, and the car detailing I hardly seen any posts.

[Randall55]

Yes, the scammer wants you to think that you have received money that you have not received. You will then "return" money to the scammer that you actually never received.Is the true scam a means to obtain your bank account number or credit card information? They would then empty your bank account or use your credit card to purchase items more than $300.

I do not use Facebook for groups in the Villages. A friend of mine ended up with an uncomfortable stalking situation. (looking for a romance type) The stalker was at every meeting or social event when not a member of the club. Finally realized it was the Facebook page. Stopped using it, stalker problem disappeared.

[Sabella]

Why don’t you donate the tools to Habitat for Humanity?

[Altawood]

Zelle is not a security risk any more than a check is. Ditto for Venmo. OTOH, any transaction with a stranger who asks you to refund them money you have not received is an obvious scam. We were victims of ID theft years ago and the scammer started printing checks and issuing them all over town. It took 6 months to get it cleaned up and now we have all three of our credit files locked down so no one can open credit in our name. It is a PITA if you want to open a new account somewhere because you have to go online an Unfreeze the account long enough for the business to verify your credit history, then lock it again.
Zelle, Venmo and PayPal are all accepted, safe means of conducting a transaction, just like a credit or debit card.

[RICH1]

SCAM they were using the PayPal exactly like this years ago !

[Ele201]

I posted some tools to sell on Facebook Marketplace and some guy named "Bossa" offered to pay me for a table saw with Zelle and said his son with the truck would come by and pick it up. The "Zelle" notification went straight to my spam folder. It looked real, but said the transaction was on hold because my bank account wasn't a business account and that the sender would need to raise the amount to $300 so they could convert it to a business account so the transaction would go through. Have you ever heard anything so absurd?

So I asked him what the hell was going on and he said he got the same message, but he would trust me to send me the $300 and then I could just bounce it back to him.

How dumb do these idiots think people are? Does that ever work? I literally copied the text of the fake Zelle message into Google search and it immediately produced a warning of that exact scam. So I clicked the guy's profile and it said he was in Orlando, but the spelling was "Bre Bossa". So I searched for "Bossa" and found a guy in India with a similar empty profile and no real name. And, of course, there was no way to report either fake profile as a known scammer -- all I could do was flag them both as possible fakes.

I don't know why Facebook refuses to clean up their mess. How would you even go about creating a fake profile? I remember being forced to prove my identify when I first started using it years ago. Apparently, that rule only applies to non-criminals.

I think the only way to get through to Zuckerberg is to quit using Facebook until they quit allowing these stupid scams and fake profiles. I deleted my profile. I'm done with it.

I don’t have any experience selling housewares or other items online, because I just donate these items. However, I know people who have had success with eBay. Apparently their rules are stricter and eBay has seller protection policies in place that Facebook doesn’t have.

[Triker]

Facebook, World Wide Web and attitudes are loaded with scams and bad info.
The data that used to be helpful is ruined by all the scammers, social media and advertisers!

[msilagy]

It is important to use the web for info on reliable sites. I learn so much health info on Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, NIH, etc. Stay away fro health line, web MD and those sites as info may be inaccurate. When selling something on marketplce immediately refuse any early payment, never give your phone number, or address until the time they are coming. They can see what town you live in and don't need the exact address early on. Check their FB profile to see if they exist with pictures of family, friends etc. Scams usually won't have a legitimate profile or a new one. Still it's not as easy as it could be to rule out scams

[MandoMan]

I posted some tools to sell on Facebook Marketplace and some guy named "Bossa" offered to pay me for a table saw with Zelle and said his son with the truck would come by and pick it up. The "Zelle" notification went straight to my spam folder. It looked real, but said the transaction was on hold because my bank account wasn't a business account and that the sender would need to raise the amount to $300 so they could convert it to a business account so the transaction would go through. Have you ever heard anything so absurd?

So I asked him what the hell was going on and he said he got the same message, but he would trust me to send me the $300 and then I could just bounce it back to him.

How dumb do these idiots think people are? Does that ever work? I literally copied the text of the fake Zelle message into Google search and it immediately produced a warning of that exact scam. So I clicked the guy's profile and it said he was in Orlando, but the spelling was "Bre Bossa". So I searched for "Bossa" and found a guy in India with a similar empty profile and no real name. And, of course, there was no way to report either fake profile as a known scammer -- all I could do was flag them both as possible fakes.

I don't know why Facebook refuses to clean up their mess. How would you even go about creating a fake profile? I remember being forced to prove my identify when I first started using it years ago. Apparently, that rule only applies to non-criminals.

I think the only way to get through to Zuckerberg is to quit using Facebook until they quit allowing these stupid scams and fake profiles. I deleted my profile. I'm done with it.

Yes, it’s a scam. But if you post things for sale here or on V-N, you will find the same scam being played, or a related scam. What matters is getting your thing sold, for cash. If you are selling a golf cart, where people might not have that amount in cash, only sell to villagers, and check them out, and go with them to the bank or something. I’m not sure, but I think the “I’m sending my son to pick it up” thing is because these are companies that have workers who spend all day buying things on line at good prices, or the best price they can get, then send less intelligent people to pick them up for less money. They usually want to pay with a cashier’s check or a money order, and neither is safe anymore. PayPal is safe because it automatically takes the money from the buyer’s bank account or credit card and is on the hook if the money isn’t there.

A worse scam is the one where the buyer says he will pay you more than your asking price if you accept and cash a cashier’s check or. Money order. Beware.

[Blueblaze]

The entire reason we have used Facebook Marketplace in the past to sell things is that we were under the obviously incorrect impression that, in order to use Facebook, you had to prove your identity. It's also why we felt safe exposing details of our lives and photographs for our family and friends.

Apparently, that is no longer the case. And therefore, the entire point of Facebook has ceased to exist. The idiots who run it don't seem to care about that.

And now that I no longer have a Facebook account, I don't care, either. But I do care about my neighbors, which is why I posted this. I suggest that you, too, delete your Facebook account and quit using them.

[spinner1001]

Zelle is not a security risk any more than a check is. Ditto for Venmo…

Zelle, Venmo and PayPal are all accepted, safe means of conducting a transaction, just like a credit or debit card.

This is true. P. T. Barnum was right.

[Robbb]

I posted some tools to sell on Facebook Marketplace and some guy named "Bossa" offered to pay me for a table saw with Zelle and said his son with the truck would come by and pick it up. The "Zelle" notification went straight to my spam folder. It looked real, but said the transaction was on hold because my bank account wasn't a business account and that the sender would need to raise the amount to $300 so they could convert it to a business account so the transaction would go through. Have you ever heard anything so absurd?

So I asked him what the hell was going on and he said he got the same message, but he would trust me to send me the $300 and then I could just bounce it back to him.

How dumb do these idiots think people are? Does that ever work? I literally copied the text of the fake Zelle message into Google search and it immediately produced a warning of that exact scam. So I clicked the guy's profile and it said he was in Orlando, but the spelling was "Bre Bossa". So I searched for "Bossa" and found a guy in India with a similar empty profile and no real name. And, of course, there was no way to report either fake profile as a known scammer -- all I could do was flag them both as possible fakes.

I don't know why Facebook refuses to clean up their mess. How would you even go about creating a fake profile? I remember being forced to prove my identify when I first started using it years ago. Apparently, that rule only applies to non-criminals.

I think the only way to get through to Zuckerberg is to quit using Facebook until they quit allowing these stupid scams and fake profiles. I deleted my profile. I'm done with it.

This is a very common scam.

[Stu from NYC]

This is true. P. T. Barnum was right.

Half right, sucker born every 0.5 seconds

[airstreamingypsy]

So, because bad people are trying to steal from you, you think people should stop using social media? Just don't let them steal from you. Stupid people are always going to get taken advantage of.... 'You're grandson is in jail, send Target cards to get him out." Really? 'I sent more than you asked for, send me the overage back." Really? Facebook is great..... just be smart when using it.

[JGibson]

I don’t have any experience selling housewares or other items online, because I just donate these items. However, I know people who have had success with eBay. Apparently their rules are stricter and eBay has seller protection policies in place that Facebook doesn’t have.

EBay has buyer protection first and foremost. The seller protection is way down the priority scale.

Why anyone uses Spybook is beyond me. It's just a personal data-collecting site.

[Wondering]

If his son was coming to pick up the merchandise, why would you pay him with Zelle? Just have his son bring the cash! Now who's dumb!

[Bill14564]

EBay has buyer protection first and foremost. The seller protection is way down the priority scale.

Why anyone uses Spybook is beyond me. It's just a personal data-collecting site.

3 billion users worldwide including 275 million users in the US and Canada appear to feel otherwise.

[Switter]

I started selling stuff on Facebook marketplace back in June and had two people try to scam me during that time. The scam I came across is they claim to want to send me a code via text message to verify that I am real (so that they don't get scammed). At that point I just block them on my phone and report them on Facebook.

I've had really good success selling stuff on Facebook marketplace, whereas on craigslist the majority of responses were scams, to the point where it was unusable.

There will always be scams on the Internet. It's up to the individual to educate themselves and proceed cautiously. It's not always easy though. That is why I just stick with in-person cash transactions only, no exceptions. Only selling locally limits my audience but I accept that limitation.

Edit: you also have to think about giving someone your address. I am not particularly worried about it because I can defend myself. But if you are not able to defend yourself for whatever reason, you should coordinate to have someone be with you when the person arrives, even if you're meeting in a public place. there's lots of good information on the Internet about situational awareness and it never hurts to educate yourself.

Btw, I have two snowboards that I'm trying to sell if anyone is interested, lol. Florida is not the easiest place to sell snowboards. Maybe I'll donate them…

[Bill14564]

If his son was coming to pick up the merchandise, why would you pay him with Zelle? Just have his son bring the cash! Now who's dumb!

The OP was not paying anyone with Zelle; the buyer was paying with Zelle.

I can think of several reasons why the son may not have access to the cash. I can also imagine being reluctant to give someone directions to my home without first seeing the money deposited into my account which couldn't happen with cash.

Zelle is safe when used correctly. This scam attempts to trick the target into being careless. I'm sure it works frequently.

[Alarmed]

Cash only at yard sales. I posted some tools to sell on Facebook Marketplace and some guy named "Bossa" offered to pay me for a table saw with Zelle and said his son with the truck would come by and pick it up. The "Zelle" notification went straight to my spam folder. It looked real, but said the transaction was on hold because my bank account wasn't a business account and that the sender would need to raise the amount to $300 so they could convert it to a business account so the transaction would go through. Have you ever heard anything so absurd?

So I asked him what the hell was going on and he said he got the same message, but he would trust me to send me the $300 and then I could just bounce it back to him.

How dumb do these idiots think people are? Does that ever work? I literally copied the text of the fake Zelle message into Google search and it immediately produced a warning of that exact scam. So I clicked the guy's profile and it said he was in Orlando, but the spelling was "Bre Bossa". So I searched for "Bossa" and found a guy in India with a similar empty profile and no real name. And, of course, there was no way to report either fake profile as a known scammer -- all I could do was flag them both as possible fakes.

I don't know why Facebook refuses to clean up their mess. How would you even go about creating a fake profile? I remember being forced to prove my identify when I first started using it years ago. Apparently, that rule only applies to non-criminals.

I think the only way to get through to Zuckerberg is to quit using Facebook until they quit allowing these stupid scams and fake profiles. I deleted my profile. I'm done with it.

[OhioBuckeye]

The last paragraph says it all. I’ve been saying that about Facebook for a while. I noticed on my Facebook they just been posting Advertisements & at lot of really stupid questions! Facebook has really went downhill.

[Deden]

On Facebook there is three dots' ... up to the right of their sight , click that and choose the one that fits.

[jlaurieb]

One of the clues to using Facebook marketplace is don’t respond to anybody with a new Facebook account. It’s just going to be a scammer. The people that I communicate with who are serious all have had several years’ worth of history on Facebook

[nn0wheremann]

I posted some tools to sell on Facebook Marketplace and some guy named "Bossa" offered to pay me for a table saw with Zelle and said his son with the truck would come by and pick it up. The "Zelle" notification went straight to my spam folder. It looked real, but said the transaction was on hold because my bank account wasn't a business account and that the sender would need to raise the amount to $300 so they could convert it to a business account so the transaction would go through. Have you ever heard anything so absurd?

So I asked him what the hell was going on and he said he got the same message, but he would trust me to send me the $300 and then I could just bounce it back to him.

How dumb do these idiots think people are? Does that ever work? I literally copied the text of the fake Zelle message into Google search and it immediately produced a warning of that exact scam. So I clicked the guy's profile and it said he was in Orlando, but the spelling was "Bre Bossa". So I searched for "Bossa" and found a guy in India with a similar empty profile and no real name. And, of course, there was no way to report either fake profile as a known scammer -- all I could do was flag them both as possible fakes.

I don't know why Facebook refuses to clean up their mess. How would you even go about creating a fake profile? I remember being forced to prove my identify when I first started using it years ago. Apparently, that rule only applies to non-criminals.

I think the only way to get through to Zuckerberg is to quit using Facebook until they quit allowing these stupid scams and fake profiles. I deleted my profile. I'm done with it.
Accept only American dollars, dead presidents, and check those bills

[ron32162]

How dumb do they think you are ? You did answer the ad

[Gator_Girl]

I posted some tools to sell on Facebook Marketplace and some guy named "Bossa" offered to pay me for a table saw with Zelle and said his son with the truck would come by and pick it up. The "Zelle" notification went straight to my spam folder. It looked real, but said the transaction was on hold because my bank account wasn't a business account and that the sender would need to raise the amount to $300 so they could convert it to a business account so the transaction would go through. Have you ever heard anything so absurd?

So I asked him what the hell was going on and he said he got the same message, but he would trust me to send me the $300 and then I could just bounce it back to him.

How dumb do these idiots think people are? Does that ever work? I literally copied the text of the fake Zelle message into Google search and it immediately produced a warning of that exact scam. So I clicked the guy's profile and it said he was in Orlando, but the spelling was "Bre Bossa". So I searched for "Bossa" and found a guy in India with a similar empty profile and no real name. And, of course, there was no way to report either fake profile as a known scammer -- all I could do was flag them both as possible fakes.

I don't know why Facebook refuses to clean up their mess. How would you even go about creating a fake profile? I remember being forced to prove my identify when I first started using it years ago. Apparently, that rule only applies to non-criminals.

I think the only way to get through to Zuckerberg is to quit using Facebook until they quit allowing these stupid scams and fake profiles. I deleted my profile. I'm done with it.

There are so many scams out there, it only has to work once and they're set until they run out of money. For them it beats working.

[Blueblaze]

So, because bad people are trying to steal from you, you think people should stop using social media? Just don't let them steal from you. Stupid people are always going to get taken advantage of.... 'You're grandson is in jail, send Target cards to get him out." Really? 'I sent more than you asked for, send me the overage back." Really? Facebook is great..... just be smart when using it.

No. I didn't say anything about "Social Media" We are here discussing this on a "Social Media" platform that does not pretend to have vetted its users, and I have no problem with that.

But I do have a problem with a platform like Facebook that went to great lengths to vet ME, but has since decided that crooks can have all the fake accounts they want to prey on their user's false sense of security -- that they actually created.

I don't have a problem with risk. I have a problem with liars.

[Blueblaze]

How dumb do they think you are ? You did answer the ad

They answered my ad.

But you're right -- I guess I'm so dumb that I actually read a post before I call the poster "dumb".

[Blueblaze]

If his son was coming to pick up the merchandise, why would you pay him with Zelle? Just have his son bring the cash! Now who's dumb!

HE offered Zelle because he said his son didn't have the cash, which is perfectly reasonable, since the cost of the item was greater than the $200 limit on most ATM machines. There's nothing wrong with accepting Zelle. If somebody offered to pay you in advance with Zelle, would you say -- "Oh no, I require all my buyers to make a bunch of trips to the ATM on different days in order to accumulate enough cash for a large purchase from me, even when they offer to pay with Zelle, because I'm just a jerk that way".

What kind of jerk would do that? Maybe the kind who calls his neighbor dumb without bothering to get the facts.

[Marty411]

Same thing happened when we posted on Facebook Marketplace. We no longer use that site. QUOTE=Blueblaze;2267482]I posted some tools to sell on Facebook Marketplace and some guy named "Bossa" offered to pay me for a table saw with Zelle and said his son with the truck would come by and pick it up. The "Zelle" notification went straight to my spam folder. It looked real, but said the transaction was on hold because my bank account wasn't a business account and that the sender would need to raise the amount to $300 so they could convert it to a business account so the transaction would go through. Have you ever heard anything so absurd?

So I asked him what the hell was going on and he said he got the same message, but he would trust me to send me the $300 and then I could just bounce it back to him.

How dumb do these idiots think people are? Does that ever work? I literally copied the text of the fake Zelle message into Google search and it immediately produced a warning of that exact scam. So I clicked the guy's profile and it said he was in Orlando, but the spelling was "Bre Bossa". So I searched for "Bossa" and found a guy in India with a similar empty profile and no real name. And, of course, there was no way to report either fake profile as a known scammer -- all I could do was flag them both as possible fakes.

I don't know why Facebook refuses to clean up their mess. How would you even go about creating a fake profile? I remember being forced to prove my identify when I first started using it years ago. Apparently, that rule only applies to non-criminals.

I think the only way to get through to Zuckerberg is to quit using Facebook until they quit allowing these stupid scams and fake profiles. I deleted my profile. I'm done with it.[/QUOTE]

[DrHitch]

Each and EVERY time I see a posting on FB that I question you need to review the full profile of the poster..if that profile doesn't have a series of actual posts, you MUST assume it's fake....

[retiredguy123]

HE offered Zelle because he said his son didn't have the cash, which is perfectly reasonable, since the cost of the item was greater than the $200 limit on most ATM machines. There's nothing wrong with accepting Zelle. If somebody offered to pay you in advance with Zelle, would you say -- "Oh no, I require all my buyers to make a bunch of trips to the ATM on different days in order to accumulate enough cash for a large purchase from me, even when they offer to pay with Zelle, because I'm just a jerk that way".

What kind of jerk would do that? Maybe the kind who calls his neighbor dumb without bothering to get the facts.
Maybe 20 or 30 years ago. Today, most ATMs have a much higher limit than $200.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The only reasonable response I could think of is "your son with the truck can give me the cash when he comes to pick it up. This is cash-and-carry only, as I posted on my ad." But then - I would always say "cash and carry only" on ads. There's a risk that I might lose out on a buyer. But if I was going to do sales on facebook regularly I'd have a bill-checker, and there'd be a near-zero risk of ever being scammed by only taking cash.

[Lea N]

I posted some tools to sell on Facebook Marketplace and some guy named "Bossa" offered to pay me for a table saw with Zelle and said his son with the truck would come by and pick it up. The "Zelle" notification went straight to my spam folder. It looked real, but said the transaction was on hold because my bank account wasn't a business account and that the sender would need to raise the amount to $300 so they could convert it to a business account so the transaction would go through. Have you ever heard anything so absurd?

So I asked him what the hell was going on and he said he got the same message, but he would trust me to send me the $300 and then I could just bounce it back to him.

How dumb do these idiots think people are? Does that ever work? I literally copied the text of the fake Zelle message into Google search and it immediately produced a warning of that exact scam. So I clicked the guy's profile and it said he was in Orlando, but the spelling was "Bre Bossa". So I searched for "Bossa" and found a guy in India with a similar empty profile and no real name. And, of course, there was no way to report either fake profile as a known scammer -- all I could do was flag them both as possible fakes.

I don't know why Facebook refuses to clean up their mess. How would you even go about creating a fake profile? I remember being forced to prove my identify when I first started using it years ago. Apparently, that rule only applies to non-criminals.

I think the only way to get through to Zuckerberg is to quit using Facebook until they quit allowing these stupid scams and fake profiles. I deleted my profile. I'm done with it.

Scammers are everywhere and always coming up with new ways to scam people. One of the new ones is done in parking lots. They will pull up next to your car and deliberately scratch or dent it. Then wait for the owner of the car to come out. Then they tell the owner of the car that the owner hit them when they parked before going into the store. If this happens to anyone reading this just call the cops. These scum bags will leave before the cops get there. Take a photo of the car, and license plate if you can before they leave.

[retiredguy123]

Scammers are everywhere and always coming up with new ways to scam people. One of the new ones is done in parking lots. They will pull up next to your car and deliberately scratch or dent it. Then wait for the owner of the car to come out. Then they tell the owner of the car that the owner hit them when they parked before going into the store. If this happens to anyone reading this just call the cops. These scum bags will leave before the cops get there. Take a photo of the car, and license plate if you can before they leave.
Or worse, they will be walking and kick your car as you are backing out and claim that you hit them.

[Randall55]

This is true. P. T. Barnum was right.I was not referring to those being security risks. Facebook is a security risk. I have seen and heard too many stories to risk using it.

For example: You sell an item on Facebook. The buyer pays you cash for the item while casing your property, car, etc. Next thing you know, you are robbed. Not neccessarily at your home. Once they case you, they can rob you (or family member) anywhere.

This is just one example why one should not open their world to strangers or trust every friend on your Facebook account will not give out your information. And we all know, Facebook gives information to the entire world.

Question: Why is it safe to trust someone with lots of Facebook posts? A good scammer or hacker will have plenty of posts. Pictures will be fake and the information will be fake.

[coralway]

This particular scam has been going on for several years. It’s still surprising to me that folks still fall for it. FB is not all bad, just use a little common sense, don’t accept friend requests from anyone you don’t know personally and you’ll be fine. And NEVER, NEVER, EVER buy or sell anything on the FB marketplace.

[Stu from NYC]

This particular scam has been going on for several years. It’s still surprising to me that folks still fall for it. FB is not all bad, just use a little common sense, don’t accept friend requests from anyone you don’t know personally and you’ll be fine. And NEVER, NEVER, EVER buy or sell anything on the FB marketplace.

Good advise. Very often get invites from supp I sed young blond Russian girls. Only problem probably a guy from India.

[Transplant]

Not everything is a scam on Facebook. I'm helping a very nice Prince out.

[Stu from NYC]

Not everything is a scam on Facebook. I'm helping a very nice Prince out.

Is that prince moogoogaipan? He does seem to be a very nice fellow and wants to help me to do all kinds of things.

[wamley]

Ask him to send money to his son and when he has it the son can pickup the article and pay you with the cash. I know nothing will happen, but fun to do to these scammers.

[OhioBuckeye]

To sell online you’re asking for lots of rip-off’s to sell. To sell online you don’t know what kind of people you’re running into. So no way I would sell that way!

[Ksfirefighter]

So how does this scam work? Do they expect you to send the $300 back to them before you confirm that you received it?
Their transaction is fake but your “refund” is real.

[Bill14564]

Their transaction is fake but your “refund” is real.

Can it be fake if I see it in my bank account? Sure, I wouldn't trust an email saying it went through or even a picture showing it went through but if my bank says the money is in my account then I don't see how there could be a problem.

But maybe I'm wrong. Is there a way to take money back out of my account once Zelle has deposited it there?

[Bill14564]

To sell online you’re asking for lots of rip-off’s to sell. To sell online you don’t know what kind of people you’re running into. So no way I would sell that way!

So how would you sell some tools? I don't own a store and don't plan to open one. I won't have a yard sale. How do I let customers know I have some tools to sell?

[retiredguy123]

Can it be fake if I see it in my bank account? Sure, I wouldn't trust an email saying it went through or even a picture showing it went through but if my bank says the money is in my account then I don't see how there could be a problem.

But maybe I'm wrong. Is there a way to take money back out of my account once Zelle has deposited it there?
I don't know about Zelle, but some scammers send counterfeit certified checks, and the money will show up in your bank account. But, when the bank discovers that the check is a counterfeit, they will debit your account. This can take 2 weeks or more.

[margaretmattson]

I don't know about Zelle, but some scammers send counterfeit certified checks, and the money will show up in your bank account. But, when the bank discovers that the check is a counterfeit, they will debit your account. This can take 2 weeks or more.The scam is to gain access to your bank account. Some people easily give their bank account number when they believe someone is going to deposit money into their account. Instead of depositing, the scammers withdraw money from your account.

Have you ever seen that we have a UPS package for you but we are unable to deliver?
Or you won a brand new TV etc? When you respond, they will tell you there is a low-cost handling fee like $1.99. The scam: you have to give your credit card number. Once they have your numbers they use it to purchase items or to get cash. (Depending on what type of card you gave the information)

[retiredguy123]

The scam is to gain access to your bank account. Some people easily give their bank account number when they believe someone is going to deposit money into their account. Instead of depositing, the scammers withdraw money from your account.

Have you ever seen that we have a UPS package for you but we are unable to deliver?
Or you won a brand new TV etc? When you respond, they will tell you there is a low-cost handling fee like $1.99. The scam: you have to give your credit card number. Once they have your numbers they use it to purchase items or to get cash. (Depending on what type of card you gave the information)
Your bank account number is on every check that you write. How can someone withdraw money from my account by just having the bank account number?

[Lea N]

Or worse, they will be walking and kick your car as you are backing out and claim that you hit them.

I hadn't thought of that but I'm sure it happens.

[Stu from NYC]

The scam is to gain access to your bank account. Some people easily give their bank account number when they believe someone is going to deposit money into their account. Instead of depositing, the scammers withdraw money from your account.

Have you ever seen that we have a UPS package for you but we are unable to deliver?
Or you won a brand new TV etc? When you respond, they will tell you there is a low-cost handling fee like $1.99. The scam: you have to give your credit card number. Once they have your numbers they use it to purchase items or to get cash. (Depending on what type of card you gave the information)

I get at least 5 of these every day

[margaretmattson]

Your bank account number is on every check that you write. How can someone withdraw money from my account by just having the bank account number?The scammer does not have a check from you or your information. This is why he verbally needs your information.The scammer is most likely across the world.

The scammer is sitting in front of an equipped computer. Once he has your digits, he is able to withdraw the money.

[retiredguy123]

The scammer does not have a check from you or your information. This is why he verbally needs your information.The scammer is most likely across the world.

The scammer is sitting in front of an equipped computer. Once he has your digits, he is able to withdraw the money.
Please explain how someone can withdraw money from a checking account if they have the bank account number, the routing number, and even the name and address of the account holder. How is this done?

[Topspinmo]

I listen to my grandkids advising me I would be lame to stay on Facebook basically all social media.
But I’m here finding out CostCo is coming soon.

Lame like too old?

[margaretmattson]

Please explain how someone can withdraw money from a checking account if they have the bank account number, the routing number, and even the name and address of the account holder. How is this done?I am not a computer wizard I was in sales and I bought items from overseas on a regular basis. Once, I lost $800 to a scam. I gave my bank account number believing I was speaking to customs. I would have lost quite a sum of money if customs confisicated my package. That is where my mind set was. Worrying about losing my items instead of verifying the call I received was actually customs. I did not get my $800 back because I okayed the transaction.

I am not ashamed to admit my mistake. I hope others learn from it. Luckily for me, the sum I lost was a kick in the bucket. The bank employee advised me to never give out my account number to a stranger. She explained it is most likely a scam.

[Topspinmo]

Isn’t Facebook scam anyway. Getting you’re personnel information and selling it?

[Quixote]

.... Have you ever heard anything so absurd?....

How dumb do these idiots think people are? Does that ever work?....

Have I heard anything so absurd? Yes, I do—nearly every day, at least several times a week. Does it ever work? I believe it certainly does work, which is why we hear so much about it! And when it does, who then are the 'idiots'—the scammers or their victims?...

Given such rapid advances in technology in such short periods of time, we need to both educate ourselves and be extraordinarily vigilant—and unfortunately there are always those who do not and thus open ourselves to be victims.

It's not just Facebook; there are a multitude of websites through which scammers operate. I was a victim once: I needed to contact Amazon with a financial question, and because I see so poorly, I did a web search for Amazon's phone number, called, asked for and received the correct department, from which I was asked to go over my financial information, which I did. Little did I know....

The so-called Amazon website was a fraud, and the scammers were able to pull money out of each of my bank accounts at Wells Fargo and Bank of America with my agreement!. When it became clear what had happened, I asked both banks to investigate who had transferred and withdrawn the funds out of their accounts. Wells Fargo returned the funds to me; I have no idea if they were able to collect the funds back. Bank of America not only did not but practically accused me of scamming myself! That was the end of a long relationship with the latter bank—as well as that of family members and friends who formerly used that bank. I should share more of this story; I hadn't even thought of publicizing it on ToTV....

Yes, we have to be absolutely vigilant—and then be more so!

[RobertScott]

I sold a ton of stuff on FBM before we moved down here. Craiglist was dead, and Offerup full of scams. I took cash only, no checks no Zelle. I did all transactions at my house on camera, and my ad let them know that in advance. I did not reply to brand new accounts or ones that had thin profiles.

Down here I use FB for knowing what is going on around me, I don't enable the friends feature.

In terms of one being tracked, anyone using Gmail or Google searches is being tracked big time, and even normal surfing one is being scrutinized silently if one isn't running the right browser, and / or using a VPN.

[JGibson]

Have I heard anything so absurd? Yes, I do—nearly every day, at least several times a week. Does it ever work? I believe it certainly does work, which is why we hear so much about it! And when it does, who then are the 'idiots'—the scammers or their victims?...

Given such rapid advances in technology in such short periods of time, we need to both educate ourselves and be extraordinarily vigilant—and unfortunately there are always those who do not and thus open ourselves to be victims.

It's not just Facebook; there are a multitude of websites through which scammers operate. I was a victim once: I needed to contact Amazon with a financial question, and because I see so poorly, I did a web search for Amazon's phone number, called, asked for and received the correct department, from which I was asked to go over my financial information, which I did. Little did I know....

The so-called Amazon website was a fraud, and the scammers were able to pull money out of each of my bank accounts at Wells Fargo and Bank of America with my agreement!. When it became clear what had happened, I asked both banks to investigate who had transferred and withdrawn the funds out of their accounts. Wells Fargo returned the funds to me; I have no idea if they were able to collect the funds back. Bank of America not only did not but practically accused me of scamming myself! That was the end of a long relationship with the latter bank—as well as that of family members and friends who formerly used that bank. I should share more of this story; I hadn't even thought of publicizing it on ToTV....

Yes, we have to be absolutely vigilant—and then be more so!

Citizens Bank is really good about money that you have been scammed out of.

Corporate banks are the worst for customer service.

[retiredguy123]

Citizens Bank is really good about money that you have been scammed out of.

Corporate banks are the worst for customer service.
I assume you mean Citizens First Bank? If you deposit a counterfeit certified check, will they pay you for the check anyway? Most banks will debit your account when they find out that it is counterfeit.

[merrymini]

Never, ever use zelle with strangers. Just because you may not know how to scam someone doesn’t mean they do not know how to scam you. I have used fb marketplace for cash only and it has worked well. Cannot always sell quickly tho. Craigs list is nothing but scams, so stopped using them. EBay and paypal is just a pain in the neck and has become expensive. Be certain you know that everything sold over $600 on eBay now is taxable income.

[retiredguy123]

Never, ever use zelle with strangers. Just because you may not know how to scam someone doesn’t mean they do not know how to scam you. I have used fb marketplace for cash only and it has worked well. Cannot always sell quickly tho. Craigs list is nothing but scams, so stopped using them. EBay and paypal is just a pain in the neck and has become expensive. Be certain you know that everything sold over $600 on eBay now is taxable income.
Not exactly. All businesses are required to pay income tax on their profit. The only thing that has changed is that EBay reports your sales to the IRS to keep people honest. If a business doesn't make a profit, they don't owe any taxes.

[Two Bills]

The scam is to gain access to your bank account. Some people easily give their bank account number when they believe someone is going to deposit money into their account. Instead of depositing, the scammers withdraw money from your account.

Have you ever seen that we have a UPS package for you but we are unable to deliver?
Or you won a brand new TV etc? When you respond, they will tell you there is a low-cost handling fee like $1.99. The scam: you have to give your credit card number. Once they have your numbers they use it to purchase items or to get cash. (Depending on what type of card you gave the information)

If someone has my name, sort code, and bank account number, the only direction money can flow, is into my account.
There are a lot more security levels involved to withdrawing money from my account.
If name, sort code, and A/c number were all that was required, it would be open season, and no one would have any money left in their account.

Credit Card abuse/theft however, is a whole different ball game.

[Normal]

Never ever use Zelle to pay for a Facebook transaction. The second no no is we only accept PayPal for advertised merchandise. These scams have been around forever.