Don’t Fall for this Facebook Marketplace Scam – TikTok Warns
Online buy-and-sell platforms are a great way to snag a bargain or offload unwanted items, but scammers are getting more creative in their attempts to deceive users. Michel Janse, a popular TikToker, recently shared her experience with a scam on Facebook Marketplace in a video that has gained over 1.3 million views.
In the video, Janse explains that while selling furniture on Marketplace, she received a message from an interested buyer. As part of her regular “vibe check,” Janse reviewed the buyer’s profile and messaged her back to coordinate the sale. However, things took a suspicious turn when the buyer asked to connect over Google Voice, a web-based technology for placing phone calls.
Despite feeling uneasy, Janse agreed and shared her number with the buyer. She then received a text with a Google Voice code, which she passed on to the buyer. It was only after this exchange that Janse realized she had been scammed. The buyer had used her number to create a Google Voice number linked to it, with the intention of deceiving others.
According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this scam not only compromises phone numbers but can also lead to identity theft. Scammers can use the information obtained to access accounts or open new ones in the victim’s name.
The FTC warns that this scam is not new and has been commonly reported in 2022, particularly on platforms like Marketplace and Craigslist. It has even been used to target people searching for lost pets. Scammers feign hesitation, claiming they want to verify the seller’s legitimacy before committing to a purchase or returning a pet.
The FTC advises never sharing a Google Voice verification code or any verification code with someone who reaches out to you first. This is always a scam. If you have fallen victim to this scam, there are steps you can take to reclaim your Google Voice number.
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