Facebook marketplace can be an endless pit of headaches, so bicycle buyers beware!
Case in point: we delivered a Thule bicycle rack from JHB to CPT for a friendly lady in Somerset West. From seller to buyer, just like with our boxed bicycle transport service. And then I thought, OK, maybe it is time to upgrade my own Thule bicycle rack. So, I hopped onto Facebook marketplace and started browsing. There were 3 standout ads that caught my eye. And I knew what was coming. But I indulged it anyway, just to see what scams they play. See below why we say bicycle buyer beware. And the same holds true for bicycle racks, accessories, and pretty much anything else you can find on Facebook marketplace.
If something looks too good to be true, then it usually is.
Two main ways to scam you:
LURE: Their MO is the same. Modus operandi. Wanting to meet in a dangerous place to you’re your cash, or more… Come to Macassar, or Kayalitsha, or Phillippi, or some dangerous place opposite the CPT international airport. Maybe Eersterivier if you are lucky. Obviously not! Because if you do that then you are at your own risk. And when you prompt them to rather meet you at the nearest police station the excuses come. Or they ‘must’ go. Or it is not available anymore. Some want to know at which ATM to meet and where you bank.
EFT: Others go straight for the EFT option. Wanting you to pay. Sans any item in return. Just to disappear into the night. After sending you fake ID copies from someone else. And often deleting same on the WhatsApp chat. But forgetting to remove their own bank details. Yet the banks (OK well just Standard Bank in this instance) aren’t interested in preventing fraud. They first want to see the transaction go through and then investigate. Alas, a lot of time can go into these schemes. And yes, I do have names and numbers and bank accounts and fake ID’s to prove. So, bicycle buyer beware. When something looks too good to be true. Then it usually is.
How to spot a Facebook fraud
❌ The FB profile is new and opened recently.
❌ With little content and generic profile pictures.
❌ Or mismatched photos. And stock photos.
❌ And a few ads. Selling items at below market value.
❌ Wanting to take the chat off Facebook onto WhatsApp.
❌ Where they share bank details and fake ID.
❌ Broken English and poor grammar. Filled with spelling mistakes. And excuses.
❌ Using Afrikaans names but refusing to speak the language.
❌ Or misspelling common Afrikaans names with fake profiles.
What can you do to double-check and stay safe?
✅ Just use your common sense.
✅ Be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.
✅ Including poorly recreated proof of bank details.
✅ Follow up on addresses. Use google Streetview to check.
✅ Verify the ‘company details’ they gave you.
✅ Do a CIPC name search to see if the company exists.
✅ Or that the directors names match up to the ID’s you received.
There you have it. Bicycle buyer beware. Often the scammers and fraudsters use their own personal accounts but just change the name of the entity. Pity that I now have 3x examples of where the banks aren’t interested in helping to prevent this from continuing.
PSA: our very own consumer advice, for ourselves
Rather be safe. Pay a drop more. Forget about Facebook. Buy on Bikehub. Preferably with Bikehub pay. which keeps the money in escrow until the item is well received. And ship your bicycle with bicycle couriers. Which concludes our top tips for how to bicycle buyer beware in SA and abroad!
