Following a spate of incidents in which counterfeit money has been used for purchases made using Facebook Marketplace, police have issued a warning to people selling items online.
Avon & Somerset Police say they’ve received reports from areas including Bath, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare where items including laptops, game consoles and mobile phones have been advertised for sale on Facebook.
Upon collection of the item, the buyer has paid often hundreds of pounds, with counterfeit currency, which is worthless to the seller.
Claire Pash, Investigations Fraud Team Manager, said: “Sadly criminals are taking advantage of sellers wishing to make some cash from their unwanted items.
“We are asking people who sell online in this way to please be cautious when agreeing to a sale and take all possible steps to ensure buyers are legitimate and payments are genuine.”
The police have issued the following advice for sellers:
- Take pictures of your goods including serial/identification numbers.
- Before agreeing a sale, check the buyer’s profile. Look at recent activity and friends and satisfy yourselves that they are legitimate.
- Be suspicious of buyers who rush you into completing the sale, especially if they offer more than agreed price.
- Keep a record of the buyer’s profile name and link, telephone number and any vehicle registration.
- Learn how to identify counterfeit notes. Find out more via the Bank of England here.
- Where possible, meet away from your home so that the buyer does not know your personal address.
- If you do meet at home, ensure any CCTV or Ring Doorbell is on and recording.
- Complete the exchange in company with another person present for safety, especially if you are aged under 18.
- Never hand over goods until you’re satisfied that you’ve received genuine payment.
- Report scam profiles to the relevant platform e.g. Facebook directly.
- If you have been a victim of this crime, report directly to the police here.
- Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
