Caitríona Redmond: My friend was targeted by a  Facebook Marketplace scammer... and I turned sleuth to save him

When her friend tried to sell a campervan online, he was soon targeted by fraudsters. Luckily, Caitríona Redmond was on hand to spot the red flags...

'The best scams seem plausible and play on something you really want, such as tickets, selling something, or emotions.'

Once money is involved online, you will find a scammer.

There’s no particular platform where scams are more likely. Social media has a personal element, and people are frequently led astray when they feel a connection to another profile.

It’s slightly easier to be taken in on Facebook as it’s a very social, community-led space, particularly in location- or interest-based groups.

If you do want to sell anything online, be particularly wary, as my friend Jack discovered last week when he put his campervan up for sale.

Within 10 minutes of the ad being posted on Facebook Marketplace, he was contacted by ‘Debra’. At least that was what their profile name was. They lived nearby, they said, and wanted to view the van at 4pm that very afternoon.

Debra asked for the eircode, and, excitedly, my pal sent over the exact code that matched their home. That was an awful idea.

An eircode, when put into the correct website, will reveal a full address. Very handy if you want to organise a delivery, but just as helpful for a scammer hoping to get your full details to hack your bank account and/or emails and social media accounts.

Never give out your full address: When an item is too big, make sure you are absolutely confident of the identity of the purchaser before handing over your personal address details.

“My dad used to be a mechanic, and I don’t know much about these things, but he says the campervan looks good,” Debra continued, “before I leave, can you confirm the CVRT and the VR history?”

The Commercial Roadworthiness Test (CVRT) replaced the DoE test several years ago and is used to assess whether a commercial vehicle is fit for the road, and normally lasts a year after issue.

Campervans are classed as a commercial vehicle and have to be tested each year.

Jack had a certificate and was willing to share the renewal date, but had never heard of the VR history, which is when he called me.

In the meantime, ‘Debra’ had urgently messaged him again, providing a helpful link: “You can just use this website, and I’ll refund you the cost if I go ahead and buy the campervan,” she said.

I looked at the link she’d shared and advised Jack to close the conversation, then block and report his prospective buyer.

Consumers should absolutely check out the history of any vehicle in advance of buying, particularly when buying from private sellers. There are various ways of doing so, including using a car history search, and there are several websites in Ireland that will do this.

However, as Jack had shared his personal address and the link led to a spurious website in the United States, I knew it was an instant red flag.

This was a very clever phishing scam, designed to coerce him into revealing his personal details and using a bank card online in his name. If he’d gone ahead and provided his telephone number and card, and confirmed his postal address to pay for the spurious report, it would have been only a matter of a few minutes before his bank account was emptied.

“I’m not a scammer, mate,” said ‘Debra’ as she was blocked and reported. The use of the word ‘mate’ stood out as it’s not really a word we use in Ireland.

The best scams seem plausible and play on something you really want, such as tickets, selling something, or emotions.

No sooner had Jack closed the conversation than ‘Cynthia’ also messaged him about the same campervan.

Straightaway, she asked for the eircode and scheduled a meeting at 4pm.

Jack gave her an eircode, but not his own; instead, he gave her the eircode for the local Garda station. His new buyer didn’t notice the glitch and proceeded to ask about the van’s history and when it was converted. Willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, Jack told her it was a great van and in good nick.

Cynthia then asked Jack to confirm the NCT details and for a VR check, and, go figure, she also had a very helpful link to use as well. By now, Jack knew the score, and the individual was blocked and reported as a scam.

Both prospective buyers used their first names only in their profiles and instantly requested an eircode.

They also ‘helpfully’ shared a spurious link to try to hack Jack’s bank account, using the urgency of selling a valued item as leverage.

If you ever decide to buy or sell online, here’s my tried and trusted advice:

• Don’t give out any personal information online, including your eircode;
• Do meet up in public spaces for exchanges such as car parks;
• Don’t buy concert tickets via a marketplace or groups or social media, and definitely not more than 48 hours in advance of an event;
• Do phone a friend if you’re ever concerned or unsure;
• Never click on links in a message from somebody relating to an item you’re selling;
• Remember, ticket transfers for most concerts are released only 48 hours before the event. Anyone who offers to sell or transfer you a ticket today for All Together Now or Electric Picnic, for example, is likely to be a scammer.

REDMOND RECOMMENDS

Worried you’re going to miss a special concert or music festival? Get pre-sale access by signing up for as many mailing lists as possible.

I use Mastercard Priceless, MCD, Aiken Promotions, and artist fan clubs, and I’m registered for newsletters and fan information.

So far this year, I’ve managed to get pre-sale access to most of the events I’m interested in, and haven’t had to worry about bagging a ticket on release day. It does require a little bit of research in advance, but it definitely pays off.