How to avoid a scam if your selling online

Selling stuff online? Here’s how to avoid a scam

Fake check overpayment
The scammer offers to give you a check for more than the selling price. They tell you to deposit the check and send the difference back to them.
The check is fake, but if you deposit it, it’ll appear in your account balance. That’s because banks must make your money available quickly, usually within two days.

When a bank says the check cleared, that doesn’t mean it was a good check. It can take weeks for the bank to figure out the check was fake. By that time, the scammer has the item you sold and the money you sent back. And the bank takes the money from the fake check out of your account

Fake verification codes
Google Voice verification code and ask you for that code. If you give it to them, they’ll use it to create a Google Voice number linked to your phone number. Then the scammer could use the Google Voice number to rip off other people. If someone tracks the Google Voice number, it’ll be linked to your real phone number. That’s how the scammers conceal their identity.

Advice for selling things online

Many sites recommend selling your stuff to a local buyer you can meet in person and only accepting cash payments. If you’re not selling locally, see what seller protections the site offers.

To avoid a scam:

• Don’t accept a mobile payment from someone you don’t know.
• Never deposit a check for more than the selling price.
• Don’t share your Google Voice verification code — or any verification code — with someone you don’t know.

Original FTC posting can be found by clicking here