How to avoid Wallapop scams is a constant concern on the minds of those who buy and sell through this platform. It is no wonder, since scams are the order of the day and can catch anyone off guard. Both regular users and those who have just entered Wallapop do well in take some precautions to avoid falling for scams.
How do scammers operate on Wallapop and what are the most common scams? What measures can you take to avoid being a victim of fraudulent users? And what can you do if you have already been scammed? In this entry we show you how to avoid Wallapop scams so you can buy and sell with security and peace of mind.
Avoid Wallapop scams: what are the most common scams?
Wallapop is one of the most popular platforms to buy and sell second-hand products. However, it is also a place where scams and fraud can occur if proper precautions are not taken. That is why it is so important to review some tricks to avoid being a victim of a scam on Wallapop, in addition to knowing how to act if we find ourselves in a suspicious situation.
Notably new Wallapop users They are not the only ones at risk of being scammed. Those who have been using this platform for a long time to buy and sell they can also become victims. This is because, after many purchases and sales completed without problems, they may lower their guard, minimize the dangers or be willing to take more risks.
What are the most common scams that usually occur on Wallapop? Cybercriminals take advantage of any weak point in the buying and selling process to try to steal. Maybe they look for get some personal data from you to impersonate you and carry out other scams, or go straight to your money and get you to make a transfer to them. Let's see what the most common scams are on Wallapop.
Avoid Wallapop scams with links to Bizum
This is one of the most absurd scams that can occur on Wallapop, but also one of the most common. It consists of the scammer sending a link to the seller to accept payment through Bizum, but in reality it is a 'request money' link. If the seller clicks 'Accept', a payment will be sent to the scammer for the product for sale.
With this method, the seller not only loses the product for sale, but also the amount equivalent to the price of the product. To avoid this Wallapop scam, you must Pay close attention to the type of messages they send us before clicking on 'Accept'.
DHL scams
In this case, the scammer poses as a foreign buyer and asks the seller to send the product by DHL. Then, the seller receives a fake email from DHL asking for his bank details to confirm the shipment, but in reality it is to steal your money.
Similarly, the seller may receive a fake email from PayPal or the bank stating that the transfer has already been made, but that The money is withheld, as long as proof of having made the shipment is not attached. If the seller falls into the trap and sends the product, he will have lost it, since he will not receive any payment.
PayPal scams
As you surely already know, PayPal offers two options to send money: 'send to friends' for shipments between individuals (without commissions), and payments for products and services. The second option allows you to request a refund if the shipment is not sent to us or if it arrives defective. The first option, on the other hand, does not have this extra security measure.
So, a scammer might offer you a product or service and ask you to you pay in advance using PayPal's 'send to friends' option. Maybe she tells you that she charges up front because she has been a victim of scams in the past. In addition, it recommends that you send the money between individuals so that you save the commission.
But, once the money is sent, the seller disappears and does not fulfill his part of the deal. And how PayPal friend shipping does not support requesting refunds, you won't be able to get your money back either. You have fallen!
Avoid Wallapop scams with Cash on Delivery
You can fall into a cash on delivery scam whether you buy or sell on Wallapop. If you are a seller, the scammer may ask you to send the product by cash on delivery, but When you receive the package you do not pay for it or you return it empty or with another worthless object.. Here you lose both the product and the shipping costs.
And if you are the one who buys, you may receive the package in perfect condition, but when you open it you discover that it is not what you ordered. That's why, Before signing and paying, it is important that you open the package and check that everything is in order. If the delivery person refuses, it is best to request a refund.
Tricks to avoid Wallapop scams
The above are some examples of the most common scams that can occur on a trading platform like Wallapop. On other occasions, Scammers impersonate the company by sending emails to Wallapop requests personal data from its users. These emails or messages may also contain malicious links that redirect to fake pages that imitate Wallapop or other payment platforms.
What can you do to avoid Wallapop scams? Below are some simple but effective tricks to avoid being victims.
- Always use the Wallapop chat to maintain contact with customers and sellers. Be wary of anyone who insists on completing business through third-party apps or email.
- Always be wary of offers that are too goodso of buyers who pay more than agreed.
- Avoid international shipping and seeks to sell or buy from local or national customers or vendors.
- Check the user reputation and seniority with whom you negotiate. New accounts (less than three days old) and with little activity are not recommended.
- Try to use secure payment methods for this type of commerce, such as Wallapop Shipping o SeePayment.
What can you do if you have already been scammed?
Have you been scammed on Wallapop? In that case, don't get discouraged or lose hope of getting your money back. The important is that act fast and don't let the scammer get away with it.
- Save all the evidence you have, such as screenshots, receipts, emails, messages or images.
- Report the incident to the police or civil guard, whether in person, by telephone or online. Make sure you provide as much information as possible about the scammer, the product, the payment method, and the conversation you had with them.
- Contact Wallapop to inform them of what happened and request their help. You can do it from the application itself, in the Help section, or from its website. Wallapop can provide you with other information about the scammer if the police need it.
- Use the available channels to request a refund of your money. Depending on the service used to send money, you can start a dispute, request a refund, or get more information from the scammer.