Scams on online marketplaces, especially Facebook Marketplace, are on the rise, with various tactics used by fraudsters to deceive buyers and sellers. Common Types of Scams 1. Advance Payment Scams: Scammers may ask for payment upfront or a deposit for an item they never intend to deliver. This is common with high-value items like vehicles or electronics. Tip: Always inspect the item before paying. 2. Fake Shipping and Payment Scams: Fraudsters might send fake shipping labels or claim to have pre-paid for shipping. They often ask sellers to provide personal information or payment for shipping insurance. Tip: Verify shipping claims directly with the shipping company and never share personal information like verification codes. 3. Phishing Scams: Scammers may send links to fake websites to steal personal information. These links can be disguised as payment confirmations or shipping labels. Tip: Avoid clicking on suspicious links and only use secure payment methods through the marketplace. 4. Third-Party Payment Scams: Scammers may insist on using third-party payment apps instead of the marketplace's secure payment options. Tip: Stick to cash or the marketplace's payment system to ensure protection. 5. Vehicle Scams: In these scams, sellers offer vehicles at attractive prices but require a deposit to hold the car. Once the deposit is paid, the seller disappears. Tip: Always verify the vehicle's title and history before making any payments.

It's that time of year again, holiday season is upon us and we all love good news, but if you ever get a message saying "You have won!"- PAUSE before you celebrate 🛑 Prize and sweepstakes scams are some of the most reported frauds in North America. They’re designed to trigger excitement and urgency so you’ll act fast… before realizing it’s fake. 🚩 Red Flags to Watch For 1️⃣ You didn’t actually enter. If you can’t remember signing up, that’s the first clue. Real contests require you to enter first. 2️⃣ They ask for money or “processing fees.” Legitimate prizes never require payment, shipping costs, or taxes up front. 3️⃣ They pressure you to act immediately. “Claim your prize in 10 minutes!” is a classic manipulation tactic. Real organizations don’t rush winners. 4️⃣ They ask for personal info or banking details. Never share your SIN, banking info, or credit card to “verify” your win. 5️⃣ The message looks unofficial. Misspelled words, random email addresses, or social media accounts that look new are all giveaways. 🧠 How to Protect Yourself - Pause before you press. - Verify the source. Look up the official company website or call their published customer service number. - Never click suspicious links. If you really did win, the company will contact you through verified channels. - Talk it out. When in doubt, share it here in the community — someone may have seen the same scam. 💬 Lets have a Discussion Have you ever been contacted about a “prize” that turned out to be fake? How did you figure out it was a scam — or what do you look for now before you celebrate? Let’s share our experiences and make sure none of us fall for the glittering bait again. 🎉🛡️

Well let me tell ya, we are sitting at #1860 🥺 folks not where I want to be. I am making a commitment to post everyday, even if its just a hi and how's your day going? But I am asking for some commitment from all of you help by participating, because as of right now we are stagnant, so who's with me??? Let's grow this group and start making a change! What do ya say??

Good morning folks, happy Sunday. So curious what do you look forward to on Sundays? Is it going to Church, spending time with family or is it playing golf and going for lunch??? Let me know in the comments what your favorite thing about Sunday's is!! ⬇️⬇️

In the book I’m writing I have a section about how to avoid common scams and pitfalls what are some of the less obvious ways people get scammed?