{"id":2729,"date":"2026-02-14T13:06:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T13:06:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/?post_type=manual_kb&#038;p=2729"},"modified":"2026-02-14T13:06:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T13:06:15","slug":"how-buyers-can-avoid-fake-or-scam-sellers","status":"publish","type":"manual_kb","link":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/fr\/knowledgebase\/how-buyers-can-avoid-fake-or-scam-sellers\/","title":{"rendered":"How Buyers Can Avoid Fake or Scam Sellers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How Buyers Can Avoid Fake or Scam Sellers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buying through online classifieds is convenient and efficient, but it\u2019s important to stay alert and take practical steps to avoid fraudulent sellers. By following these guidelines, you can reduce risks and make safer purchasing decisions on the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Review the Listing Carefully<\/strong><br>Examine the description, photos, and price. Look for clear, detailed information and original images that match the item being sold. Be cautious of listings with stock photos, very limited details, or prices significantly lower than similar offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Compare Prices with Similar Listings<\/strong><br>If an item is priced far below market value, it may be a red flag. Compare multiple listings to understand the typical price range before committing to a purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Communicate Through the Platform<\/strong><br>Keep all conversations within the platform\u2019s messaging system. This helps maintain a record of communication and reduces the risk of scams that occur when discussions move to external channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Ask Specific Questions<\/strong><br>Request additional photos, proof of ownership, receipts (if relevant), or more details about the item\u2019s condition. Genuine sellers are usually willing to provide reasonable information to serious buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Avoid Advance Payments Without Verification<\/strong><br>Be cautious about paying deposits or full amounts before seeing the item or confirming the seller\u2019s credibility. If possible, inspect the item in person before completing payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Meet in Safe Locations<\/strong><br>For local transactions, arrange to meet in public, well-lit areas. Avoid isolated places and consider bringing a friend if the item is high value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. Be Wary of Unusual Payment Requests<\/strong><br>Avoid payment methods that are difficult to trace or reverse, such as gift cards or unfamiliar third-party links. Stick to secure and commonly accepted payment options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. Trust Your Instincts<\/strong><br>If a seller avoids direct answers, creates urgency, refuses reasonable requests, or provides inconsistent information, reconsider the transaction. It\u2019s better to step away than risk losing money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. Report Suspicious Behavior<\/strong><br>If you encounter a listing or seller that appears fraudulent, use the platform\u2019s reporting tools. Reporting helps maintain a safer environment for all users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By staying cautious, verifying information, and using the platform responsibly, buyers can significantly reduce the risk of dealing with fake or scam sellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","manualknowledgebasecat":[106],"manual_kb_tag":[],"class_list":["post-2729","manual_kb","type-manual_kb","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","manualknowledgebasecat-scam-prevention-buyer-edition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/2729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/manual_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/2729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2733,"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/2729\/revisions\/2733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"manualknowledgebasecat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manualknowledgebasecat?post=2729"},{"taxonomy":"manual_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb_tag?post=2729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}