WILTSHIRE Police have issued a warning to people selling items on Facebook Marketplace, to be vigilant when receiving payments from buyers.
Police say they have seen an increase in incidents reported where high-value items such as laptops and mobile phones are being sold on the social media platforms but after transaction has been completed, the seller discovers they have been paid with counterfeit notes.
The following safety tips have been issued by police to help sellers falling victim to this scam.
- Take pictures of goods, including serial and identification numbers
- Verify the buyer's profile, including recent activity and friends
- Be cautious of buyers who rush the sale or offer more than the agreed price
- Keep a record of the buyer's profile name, telephone number, and vehicle registration
- Learn how to identify counterfeit notes using resources from the Bank of England
- Meet buyers in a public place, away from home, whenever possible
- Have another person present for safety during the exchange
- Never hand over goods until genuine payment is confirmed
- Report suspicious profiles to the relevant platform
- Reporting Incidents If you've been a victim of this crime, report it directly to the police. In case of an ongoing crime, always call 999. To report suspicious activity, visit the Stop! Think Fraud website.
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