Facebook sellers told to ‘stop and think’ in wake of fraud arrest

POLICE ISSUE ADVICE AFTER MAN, 36, IS HELD ON SUSPICION OF FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY

PEOPLE selling items on Facebook are being offered tips to stay safe on the platform in the wake of fraudulent activity being reported across Derbyshire.

Some users have experienced buyers turning up with a fake proof of payment, such as a screenshot of a bank transfer or receipt.

However, when the seller checks their bank account, they never received the money and are left out of pocket.

Derbyshire police have recently arrested a man in connection with several counts of fraud.

The 36-year-old was held on suspicion of fraud by false representation in Derby on Friday, April 5. He has been released on bail as inquiries continue.

The force’s Sock it to the Scammers campaign highlights ways to protect against this type of scam, including to always verify you have received payment through a trusted means such as your online banking app or a trusted payment provider.

Tammy Barnes, Derbyshire Constabulary’s fraud protect officer, said: “Most sellers feel inclined to trust a buyer who comes to their house or public place to pick up and pay for items, it has a personal touch. Sellers, whether online or in person may be conned by a buyer who claims to have transferred the money but it must be experiencing a delay.

“Unfortunately if you allow a buyer to leave before payment has been received, you may never see the item or the scammer who stole it again.

“Our advice is ‘Stop. Think fraud.’ Don’t be rushed into any decisions and make sure the balance has appeared in your bank account or account with the selling site before sending your items.”

The #SockItToTheScammers campaign launched earlier this year, with videos focusing on issues such as romance fraud and fake police phone calls. The campaign has resulted in members of the public remembering the Stop. Think. Tell. advice and stopping the scam in its tracks.

Recent cases in Derbyshire have shown just how much of an impact a marketplace scam can have, with sellers losing out on thousands of pounds by handing over items such as technology, jewellery and vehicles without receiving payment.

In Derbyshire, phones and laptops are the most common items that scammers will take without payment.

In the example of online marketplace fraud, whilst the scam might seem simple, it can often be effective by the scammer being insistent in messages and creating a false sense of urgency.

Ms Barnes said: “Always use your own trusted links, never follow a weblink supplied by the buyer. If someone is being intimidating, please contact us for further assistance. If the sale doesn’t feel right, or you have concerns, always think of Claude and ‘Stop. Think fraud.’”

If you think you, or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, you can report it to police via one of the following methods:

Facebook: send a private message to DerbyshireConstabulary

Twitter/X: direct message the contact centre on @DerPolContact

Website: complete the online contact form police.uk/Contact-Us. Phone: call 101.

People can also report attempts to defraud them to Action Fraud via their website: https://www.actionfraud. police.uk/