The most common scams on KSL Classifieds and how to avoid them

Most folks who use KSL Classifieds get a good deal, an awesome new-to-you item and a new friend for life (10 minutes in a Smith’s parking lot). But a few unlucky folks get sob stories, sketchy requests and scams. Fighting fraud is one of KSL Classifieds’ top priorities, but scammers often don’t reveal themselves until they’re actually interacting with a Classifieds user. That’s where you come in. By recognizing common scams and flagging them immediately, whether on the listing or in our Messages system, you can help our team quickly identify fraudulent users so they can’t strike twice. It’s a win-win for the good guys and a lose-lose for scammers — you avoid a scam, and we get to help others do the same. And scams are easier to spot than you think. Learn all about these common online classifieds scams to keep your KSL Classifieds experience as enjoyable as possible. 

By recognizing common scams and flagging them immediately, you can help our team quickly identify fraudulent users so they can't strike twice. Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio

Red flags for scammers

Before you learn about some of the well orchestrated cons that scammers use once they’ve got you on the hook, take a look at these common early warning signs. They’ll help you avoid trouble all together. 

Spelling and grammar mistakes

Pro tip: If they’re listig has a lots of typos in it, its probibly a scam. Real folks tend to double check spelling and grammar when listing an item. Scammers don’t have the time. They’re trying to get as many people on the hook as possible, as fast as possible.

Too good to be true

With few exceptions, any deal that seems too good to be true is exactly that. After all, a scammer doesn’t need to negotiate the price — any amount of money is better than none. 

Sob stories

The sappier the story, the more suspicious. Normal people usually don’t unload their emotions on internet strangers, and even if they do, oversharing isn’t a crime. In general, the more elements of melodrama (injuries, accidents, illnesses, sudden deaths) a buyer or seller’s story has, the more you want to stay away. They’re trying to tug on your heartstrings in the hopes that you’ll ignore other warning signs.

Urgency

A regular person might say, “I’m hoping to get rid of this couch by next week,” but a scammer will say something such as, “You have till tomorrow to commit or I’m selling to someone else.” Again, they’re trying to get you to ignore your better judgment, this time by creating a sense of urgency. The timeline isn’t real, the other buyers aren’t real and, chances are, the item isn’t either. 

Urgency is a common tactic of scammers. Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio

Trying to get you to switch communication platforms

If you’re chatting using our Messages feature and the potential buyer or seller wants you to switch to text or email, it’s a potential red flag. When you use Messages, there’s a record of your interaction with the scammer that our fraud prevention team can use to shut down their account. When you communicate through text, our team can’t help.

Paying for an item that doesn’t exist

This is one of the most common scams on KSL Classifieds. It may also be an element of some of the other scams you might come across. Essentially, the scammer has listed an item that isn’t real, and will try and get you to pay for it with a number of tactics. A scammer will often: 

• Ask for a down payment to hold the item (Some real sellers do this, too. Use your own discretion.)

• Say they’ll mail an item after they receive payment

• Say someone will drop off the item after they receive payment

• List fake pictures, or pictures with minimal detail. Pay attention to the background, if it doesn’t look like a normal setting (or the Mountain West) it’s probably a scam. 

If you haven’t set your eyes on the item, you shouldn’t be paying for it. Any seller who asks you to pay for an item you’ve never seen is almost always a scammer. And remember, if you’re meeting up with someone to see the item, you should always do so in a public place.

Simple Scam Solution: Try before you buy. Or at least “confirm it exists before you buy.” 

Getting you to click on a (supposedly safe) link

In addition to codes, any kind of message with a link in it is a red flag (unless it’s the listing link in Messages). Remember, there’s no need to click a link to arrange a transaction on KSL Classifieds. These fake links often go to a seemingly harmless information form, which the scammer will then use to access accounts. Some links may even install malware. And even if the link looks like it’s coming from KSL Classifieds or another well-known site, a closer look will reveal some well disguised differences.

A common new scam affecting car buyers involves fraudulent links. A potential buyer will reach out to you with good news! They’re interested in giving you the exact asking price for your car. Their only request is that you pay for a vehicle history report. They’ll send you the link to their favorite history report site. And you guessed it — it’s their favorite because it’s not real, and neither is the report you just paid for. And remember, buyers can buy a CarFax report right on KSL Cars. If they insist on a different option you’ve never heard of, they’re likely a scammer.

A common new scam affecting car buyers involves the scammer sending fraudulent links. Photo credit: Christina Morillo

It’s important to remember that KSL Classifieds is never directly involved in transactions. Anyone claiming that KSL Classifieds needs financial information from you is trying to scam you, and any link they send from “us” is fake. And you want to avoid this scam altogether, communicate using Messages, which doesn’t allow users to send links. 

Simple Scam Solution: Links are like candy — never a good idea to accept from strangers. Use Messages to avoid suspicious links. 

Asking you to verify your identity with a Google code

This scam has been on the rise in the past few years. It starts harmlessly enough. Someone who’s interested in your item will ask you to confirm your identity “to be safe.” You’ll get a code from them to read back over the phone or send over text. Here’s what’s actually happening: The scammer is setting up a Google Voice account using your information. They got your phone number/email from your listing and are now using it to create the account. The only piece of the puzzle they need is the verification code sent to your phone, which you’re now reading off to them. 

This scam might not cost you any money. The scammer might just be setting up an account that can’t be traced back to them, which they’ll use to scam others. But they might also be using that account to gather more of your information and access other accounts. The bottom line is that anyone asking for a verification code of any kind is not an honest buyer. 

Don’t want to risk this scam? Our Messages feature allows you to chat with other users in the app, keeping your private information safe. You’ll also be able to flag any user that seems suspicious. Our team can then review your interaction, investigate the user and disable their account if they’re a scammer. 

Simple Scam Solution: Treat all codes like secret codes and don’t share them with anyone. Pinky promise? 

Never share codes sent to your phone. Photo credit: LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Paying you too much and asking for it back

This is another classic online classifieds scam. Much like a fraudulent seller will try to sell you an item before you’ve seen it, a fraudulent buyer may try to buy an item before they’ve seen it. They trust you, and it looks like a great deal! But oops! They sent you too much money. They’re going to ask you for the extra money back, but the money they sent originally is counterfeit. The extra money you’re sending back, meanwhile, is your own hard-earned cash. The counterfeit money will usually come in the form of a fake cashier’s check or money transfer, and you can confirm or deny the legitimacy of their payment at your financial institution. But generally, anyone who has sent you more money than you asked for is a scammer. 

Meanwhile, there’s still the tried and (un)true method of paying with counterfeit cash. If you’re planning on dealing with cash, buy a counterfeit money marker and check all the bills you’re taking in over $20. Take special care with those 20s, too — they’re the most commonly counterfeited in the United States. 

Simple Scam Solution: More money from them actually means less money for you. Don’t accept overpayments and never pay them back. 

What to do if you suspect a scam

If you find a listing you think is fraudulent on KSL Classifieds, report it by marking the blue flag icon and filling out the relevant information. If you’re interacting with a fraudulent buyer on Messages, simply mark that same flag icon within the conversation chain. Or, contact support@ksl.com. Our CommuniTeam will review the listing and/or user and take any appropriate actions.