We have concerns about a member who recently viewed your Trade Me Motors listing(s). They were not legitimate and may make contact and attempt to defraud you by asking you to make a payment offshore or directing you to a fraudulent website. Do not do this.
Never pay via Western Union or make a payment overseas.
If you click a link in an email or text message, make sure you check the website address you're being sent to. For Trade Me, the URL in the address bar will always start with http://www.trademe.co.nz/
We can’t point you at a specific membership/person to look out for as the fraudsters are based offshore and are not likely to contact you through a compromised Trade Me membership. They generally make contact via anonymous text messages and differing email addresses.
That said, we do have some great tips on how to spot them and who not to deal with:
- If you had a mobile phone number on your listing, the scammer may send you a text message from an overseas phone number asking you to email them. Do not make contact.
- If you have made contact, disregard their correspondence and add their email address to your blocked senders list.
- Never send money overseas or pay by Western Union, Money Gram, PayPal or any other instant payment method.
- If you have paid someone overseas contact us immediately at abuse@trademe.co.nz
The scammer may send a fake email claiming that Trade Me has verified or authenticated the trade. They may even direct you to a fake freight forwarding website. This will be a hoax. If you are not sure, please feel free to check with us at abuse@trademe.co.nz
Here are a few additional tips to help keep you safe:
- If you click a link in an email, make sure you check the website address you're being sent to. For Trade Me, the URL in the address bar will always start with http://www.trademe.co.nz/
- If you have concerns over a trader's authenticity please forward the emails to abuse@trademe.co.nz and we will be in touch. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.