Scam alert...guard your cell phone number!

[go4thegusto]

I had an item for sale in the Classifieds. A legit Rokslider posted "I'll take it"
The scammer apparently looked through all the buyers posts and found where he had publicly posted his cell number. I have seen others do this also.
The scammer copied my photos and texted my buyer asking for payment. Luckily he was sharp enough to send a screen shot to me and ask if it came from me. We did the deal and got around this one.

I have read recently that your cell phone number is as valuable as your SS number for hackers. Guard how you give it out. As we all know legit retailers want your number to text marketing BS. Now if I buy from a website, store, or whatever, and they won't let me checkout without entering a cell number, I just put in a disconnected old landline #. Has worked 100% so far.

Be cautious out there.

 

[intunegp]

This is a common scam on forums that is being exploited all over the internet right now. If you have publicly shared your phone number or email address they'll find it and message you as if they are the seller. If they're not willing to communicate using the platform they're selling on it should be a massive red flag. Also a great reason not to pay strangers with PayPal F&F, Venmo, etc.

 

[wyosteve]

Quit posting 'I'll take it' and send a pm directly.

 

[BBob]

I just put in a disconnected old landline #.

Get yourself a free Google Voice number that links to your personal number. It’ll work for voice calls and text and it all forwards to your number keeping your number private. I use it for all web transactions and lots of other things. Google does a good job blocking unwanted spam.