Gumtree
We’ve recently seen an increase in scams where fraudsters convince genuine Gumtree members to post ads on their behalf. These ads often turn out to be fraudulent.
How the scam works
- Scammers reply to your ad with a job offer that sounds “too good to be true”. The “job” usually involves posting ads for them.
- People who post wanted rental ads are a common target. Fraudsters pose as “landlords”, claiming they’ll reserve a property for you if you post ads on their behalf. This is a trick to take your deposit money.
- By using your account, scammers hide their identity and avoid being directly linked to the fraudulent ads.
The risks
- Accounts involved in fraudulent activity can be permanently blocked.
- Police investigations may follow if illegal activity is linked to your account.
How to protect yourself
- Never agree to post ads for someone you don’t know.
- Treat unsolicited offers with suspicion, especially those promising easy money.
- If you spot a suspicious ad or receive an offer like this, flag it through Gumtree’s ad-flagging system or contact our Help Desk.
