Internet purchases between individuals are booming. We all have things that we don’t want, or don’t need, while there are people interested in them elsewhere. Thanks to platforms like eBay or Wallapop it is possible to get rid of these things, and earn money, at the same time that we allow other people to save the price it costs new. However, these stores are also a nest of fraudsters and swindlers. And, if we run into one, it can be expensive.
In these stores where they sell individuals they can swindle us in many different ways. For example, they can find a way to get hold of our personal data, collect the money and not send the product, and even not send the real product and send us a fake.
To avoid falling into these typical scams, below, we are going to give you three essential tips to avoid falling into their traps. And, if we fall, let the damage be as little as possible.
Always try to shop in person
One of the best qualities of Wallapop is the deals in hand. Contrary to what happens with eBay, Wallapop is designed, above all, to find objects near us, and pick it up in person, check that everything is correct, pay in hand, and each one for himself.
In this way, we can get to know the person, and, most importantly, verify that the object they are trying to sell us is real and not a fake or in poor condition. If you don’t finish convincing us, by breaking the deal and not paying, there would be no more problems.
Of course, for safety, it is always better to stay in crowded and crowded places during the day, never in dark alleys at night.
Use Wallapop shipping or PayPal
There are times when dealing in person is not possible for many reasons. And we have no choice but to accept a shipment. At this point, it is very important to resort to the use of payment platforms that offer us some security, such as Wallapop shipments, or PayPal.
If we buy through Wallapop, and we use its own payment and shipping function, the shipping is paid by us (the buyer does not suppose anything), and we will have an insurance that, in the event that it is a scam, we will be able to resort and recover the money. This is possible thanks to the fact that Wallapop does not send the money to the seller until we have accepted that everything is correct (or 48 hours have passed since receiving the package). If there is a problem, we will open a claim and we can recover the money.
With PayPal, and eBay, the same thing happens. Whenever we pay through PayPal without using the “as a friend” option, we will have insurance so that, in the event of a problem, we can resort and PayPal will mediate, in defense of the buyer, to solve the problem and return the money (if it really corresponds). ). If we have used the “as a friend” option, we can forget about that possibility.
Be wary of those who try to talk on WhatsApp
Another very common scam is that of sellers trying to communicate with us outside of store chats. For example, it is common to start a conversation on Wallapop and they ask us for our mobile to continue on WhatsApp. Mistake. Anything we talk about outside of Wallapop chat cannot be used in our defense if we have a problem. In addition, through WhatsApp they can even ask us for personal information (such as a copy of the DNI, something that we should never send), and always be suspicious even if they send us a photo of their DNI (since it is surely not theirs, but a DNI that someone else has sent them).
Finally, always avoid accessing links or pages that are sent to us by WhatsApp. If we want to complete the purchase, always by Wallapop shipments, or paying by PayPal as a commercial payment, never as friends.
