{"id":2659,"date":"2026-02-14T12:36:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T12:36:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/?post_type=manual_kb&#038;p=2659"},"modified":"2026-02-14T12:36:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T12:36:35","slug":"recognizing-red-flags-in-buyerseller-messages-scam-signs","status":"publish","type":"manual_kb","link":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/it\/knowledgebase\/recognizing-red-flags-in-buyerseller-messages-scam-signs\/","title":{"rendered":"Riconoscere i segnali di allarme nei messaggi tra acquirenti e venditori (segnali di truffa)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Recognizing Red Flags in Buyer\/Seller Messages (Scam Signs) on markto.ch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scams on local Swiss classifieds like markto.ch are uncommon due to the in-person, local focus, but they still occur\u2014mostly through messaging before any meetup. Here are the most reliable red flags to watch for in WhatsApp, email, or platform messages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Scam Red Flags from Buyers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Requests advance payment \/ deposit to \u201chold\u201d or \u201creserve\u201d the item<\/strong><br>\u201cI\u2019ll take it\u2014send me CHF 50 deposit via TWINT so I know you\u2019re serious.\u201d<br>\u2192 Genuine buyers never pay before seeing\/inspecting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Overpayment trick<\/strong><br>\u201cI\u2019ll send CHF 300 for your CHF 180 item\u2014send back the extra CHF 120.\u201d<br>(The initial transfer is fake\/reversed later.)<br>\u2192 Refuse any overpayment\u2014only accept exact amount.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Claims they can\u2019t meet in person<\/strong><br>\u201cI\u2019m abroad \/ sick \/ working\u2014can you ship it? I\u2019ll pay first.\u201d<br>\u201cSend it via Post\/DHL\u2014I\u2019ll reimburse shipping.\u201d<br>\u2192 markto.ch is local pickup only. Insist on personal handover.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fake payment proof without meeting<\/strong><br>Sends screenshot of TWINT\/bank transfer before you meet, then asks you to hand over item or ship.<br>\u2192 Never release item until money is <strong>live<\/strong> in your account (refresh TWINT\/app).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pushy or urgent language<\/strong><br>\u201cI need it NOW\u2014send bank details so I can transfer immediately.\u201d<br>\u201cThis is my last message\u2014pay or I buy elsewhere.\u201d<br>\u2192 Legit buyers are patient and local.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Avoids answering basic questions<\/strong><br>Won\u2019t say where they\u2019re located, when they can pick up, or how they\u2019ll pay in person.<br>Gives vague replies like \u201cI\u2019m nearby\u201d or changes subject.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grammar\/spelling very poor or scripted<\/strong><br>Odd phrasing, broken German\/French\/Italian, copied scam templates (e.g., overly formal or emotional stories).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Scam Red Flags from Sellers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Asks for payment before you see the item<\/strong><br>\u201cSend money first\u2014I\u2019ll ship after.\u201d<br>\u201cPay deposit to hold it for you.\u201d<br>\u2192 Never pay anything before personal inspection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Refuses public meetup spots<\/strong><br>Insists on your home, private address, or isolated location.<br>\u2192 Always suggest busy public place (Migros parking, train station, police lot).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Item price unrealistically low<\/strong><br>Brand-new iPhone for CHF 200, high-end bike for CHF 50\u2014too good to be true.<br>\u2192 Cross-check similar listings on markto.ch.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multiple excuses for not meeting<\/strong><br>\u201cI\u2019m sick,\u201d \u201ccar broken,\u201d \u201cfamily emergency\u201d\u2014keeps delaying while pushing for payment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sends fake documents\/photos<\/strong><br>Stolen\/stock photos, Photoshopped receipts, or images that don\u2019t match description.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Red-Flag Checklist for Any Message<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Asks for money before meeting\/inspection? \u2192 Scam<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wants to ship or pay remotely? \u2192 Not local\u2014scam<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overpays and asks for refund? \u2192 Classic scam<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoids public meetup or basic questions? \u2192 Suspicious<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Urgency pressure (\u201cact now or lose it\u201d)? \u2192 Manipulation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Story doesn\u2019t add up or changes? \u2192 Walk away<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to Do If You Spot Red Flags<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stop replying immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not click any links they send (fake payment\/shipping sites).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Block the number\/contact.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Report: Flag the ad on markto.ch (\u201cMelden\u201d) or use footer \u201cKontaktieren Sie uns\u201d with screenshots.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serious threats\/fraud \u2192 report to cantonal police (online form).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most markto.ch users are genuine locals looking for quick, fair deals. Trust public meetups, cash\/TWINT after inspection, and your instincts\u2014if it feels off, it probably is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stay vigilant and keep messages simple\u2014safe trading! \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","manualknowledgebasecat":[100],"manual_kb_tag":[],"class_list":["post-2659","manual_kb","type-manual_kb","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","manualknowledgebasecat-safety-during-communication-transactions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/2659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/manual_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/2659\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2660,"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/2659\/revisions\/2660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"manualknowledgebasecat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manualknowledgebasecat?post=2659"},{"taxonomy":"manual_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.markto.ch\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb_tag?post=2659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}