Nagdecide akong gumawa ng blog dedicated upang ishare ang experiences ko about being scammed online. I'd been scammed twice in just this month at magsisilbi na itong lesson sa akin at kung ano pa ang mga dapat gawin upang maiwasang mascam.
Sa dami ng online selling sites ngayon tulad ng Olx, Ayosdito, TipidPc, TipidCP hindi natin maiiwasan na masilaw sa mga incredible offers ng mga "online scammers".Pati ang Facebook na social networking site ay ginagamit na rin ng mga taong ito upang manloko ng kapwa.
Here are some tips how to know if an online ad is an scam or not:
TIP #1:
Check the SRP of the product online and compare it to the seller's price. The price shouldn't be so low and far on the suggested retail price (if the product is brand new). A price cut that exceeds 30-50% of the SRP is probably a scam. If the product is second hand, inspect the product and the situation of the seller why he/she sells it on a very low price.
TIP #2:
Use Mr. Google to search for the seller's name. A real seller and a real name should appear on google search whether it is a facebook account, google+ or what. If you found nothing, it doesn't mean that the person is already a scammer. And even an existing facebook account is present, there's still a chance that it is a scam. Professional scammers do it that way to fool their potential buyers. Scammers change their names and phone numbers on their advertisement when they already got someone fooled/scammed.
TIP #3:
If a Facebook account was given to you and the medium for the transcation, be a "spy" on the seller's account. A real seller with a real name should have a long history of timeline posts and activities on facebook for years. Check out photos if they are consistent. Newly created accounts are potentially use for scamming purposes. Now, good news here is that Facebook is getting strict on rules on signing up for an account.
TIP #4:
Don' go in a rush inquiring and asking for payment terms instantly about the item being advertised. This act will encourage the seller/scammer that you are very interested on the item and will be easily fooled by their "flowery" words. Even though you are afraid that the item will be already sold and somebody will be taking it before you, be smart. It is better that way than wasting your hard earn money/savings.
TIP #5:
A seller that feeds you that only shipping is available and he/she doesn't do meetups is a potenital scammer. If possible, meet personally with the seller. But,I am not saying shipping is bad. Shipping thru LBC, JRS, 2GO and other couriers are generally safe, given that the seller you're transcating with is legitimate. Last option for a deal is shipment if meetups is really impossible to do.
TIP #6:
A potential scammer pretends to be a member of well known forum sites and will deny or ignore your request of his/her username. If he/she had given you one, verify it.
TIP #7:
Check for feedbacks of the seller's clients. OLX
have a very nice feedback system that you'll feel very safe. Sorry
Ayosdito. :-). Ask for past shipment receipts if you wanted to.
TIP #8:
For payments, don't use money transfers that doesn't require identity verification. Smart Money (Smart Padala) and GCash are examples. They are potentially unsafe! Use bank transfers, Western Union, Cebuana Lhullier, LBC remit among others that requires a valid ID during payout. Although there is still a chance of being scammed through these options, it will be not that great. You may want to request the seller to send a copy of his/her ID through e-mail or anything you prefer. Getting a fake ID is possible but a hassle for scammers. Again, meeting the seller personally is the best choice.
TIP #9:
For shipment, arrive on a 50-50 basis for payments. 50% first then ask for tracking no. (shipping details) then send the other half when you already received the item or, atleast it's tracking no. You can check the status of the parcel sent in major couriers (like LBC) online.
TIP #10:
Use your common sense and your sense of feel. There will be something weird being felt when you are transacting with an online scammer. Most of the time, what you feel will have a great impact on the reality -- if it is legit or just a scam.
I shared this to remind everyone to be smart enough against scammers. That's all for this first post. :-) If you find something missing on the tips I've shared, feel free to comment. Tulungan tayo! :-D
NEXT POST: Smart Money Padala: Scammoney
