What could this scam be...

[Question111]

Anyone been "scammed" this way via Facebook marketplace or can tell me what the scam may be?

So, I've put up a coat for sale. It's an expensive item, band new etc.
Within 15 mins I had a message via Facebook messenger. I know there are many scams and the last time I tried to sell something on fb, I had so many of those "I'll send a dpd driver".

So a message from someone very quickly offering to buy the item (full price). It says her profile was created 2023, she has 4 pics, profile pic looks grainy and apparently went to uni somewhere in America. So obviously she isn't going to buy my item.

She says she will collect, so I ask where I live. She names a town which is actually only 15 mins away and says she will send her wife to collect (I've not given my address obviously). Without asking my address, asking for any discount etc she asks for my PayPal to apparently pay £200 for an item when she doesn't even know my address. I provide my PayPal details. I don't know why but I'm playing along at this point waiting for the scam.

10 mins later she says she's paid and can I check the money has gone in. Obviously it hasn't.
She's tried calling me via messenger! I'm not answering.

So... obviously she's not genuine but where is the scam? Any ideas?

@LooksABitElvish I'm pretty certain it's definitely from PayPal...

Do you have two factor authentication? Code sent to your email or phone? If not, I would set this up now as suggested and unlink bank/card details as a precaution until sorted.

I'm so confused!

I've got 2 factor authentication and I've changed my password.

I'm awaiting several refunds via online returns. If I unlink my bank accounts/bank cards then I won't receive the refunds...I assume

You need to log into PayPal via a trusted means (eg app) and secure your account.
And change your Facebook ad to cash on collection only.

I've not heard from the woman since she asked if the money had gone in and tried to call me on FB messenger nearly an hour ago

Sorry, cross post. Maybe try to contact PayPal and ask their advice?

Paypal don’t use regional domains… so the .co.uk is the giveaway

You click on the fake link , enter compromising financial info and that’s the scam.

They do. I've had genuine emails from them today.

Sorry - I meant to click on your message about domains. [email protected] is legit.

Paypal don’t use regional domains

Yes they do, I use the French one and emails are from [email protected]

@RosaElize they must do because I've changed my password and had emails from PayPal.co.uk

It's not a fake link though because the emails genuinely seem to be from PayPal.

Sometimes where your service logs in from comes up as the location eg we get Scotland cos our internet comes out of there

Also if you are in a private screen it can change /hide location

MAybe you also cleared all devices. Just check with PayPal through the app if there was anything going on

Just make sure any future adverts you post selling items are for cash on collection only. Cuts out all this faffing. Hopefully it's just been a close call and your account is safe.

The help link for suspicious activity is on the app under the My Account section. Although it does seem they may freeze your account while they investigate.

Call PayPal - in my experience they are always super helpful!

Ignore me then! I must be thinking if another platform!

This happened to a customer at my work today

Selling an item on marketplace . Asks me if I know anything about PayPal as has a buyer. I explain what he needs to send the buyer to pay. Comes and sees me a few minutes later to say his PayPal has been hacked.... by the apparent buyer

PayPal were great but the lengths people will go to

I'm wondering what they've got out of it then, as I doubt they can hack into my account with just my PayPal email and the email seems to be from PayPal. It's all a bit odd.

Did you try hovering over the PayPal email address on the original email?

Did the original email use your name in the body? Dear Question111? Did the password change confirmation?

@Nopenoway I can't hoover over the email address as I'm on my phone.
Yes the original email used my full name in the body of the email.
I did receive confirmation of password change.

I would have a check on a desktop as it is often not possible to show the originating email address on a phone.

It should be paypal.com/uk

Scam

Ok all, problem solved!!

I just had a look below this thread at "similar threads" ...
The op stated the same situation as me but that after providing her PayPal email she recieved an email to her junk mail stating the funds were on hold...
So I checked my junk mail...