Be Aware: Don’t Get Scammed

Recognize signs of fraud and use these best practices to safely buy and sell items. 

Protecting you from fraud is the top priority for our Marketplace team. We are actively blocking access to our products from areas outside the U.S. and we require interested buyers to log in to contact you. Additionally, your email address is not visible to the public, requiring a buyer to contact a seller through our protected messaging platform. 

It’s important that you also take steps to prevent fraud. Watch for suspicious activity as outlined below and take precautions to protect yourself if something seems out of the ordinary or inconsistent.

Suspicious Activity When Selling  

1. The buyer asks you to verify your account via a Google code. 
2. If a buyer is paying in cash, be sure to count the money to ensure that the full payment is given. This is especially important in large transactions. 
3. The buyer asks you to verify your vehicle history through one of the following reports 
   • • http://premiumauditrecords.com/
     • http://autoreportlabs.com
     • http://nationalpremiumpaper.com/
     • evinrecorder.com
4. The buyer asks you to pay with a non-common payment app.
5. The buyer explains that he/she is currently out of the country.
   • • KSL Classifieds is meant to be a local service. Be wary of individuals from outside the region (especially if they are outside the United States) who respond to listings, generally big-ticket items such as major appliances, ATVs, cars and trucks, etc. Offers usually take the form of email or text. 
6. The buyer offers to pay with a money order or cashier's check for significantly more than the asking price.
   • • They then request that the extra money be returned to them via a legitimate means  —  usually Western Union. By the time the bank discovers the fraud and reverses the deposited check or money order, the excess money has usually already been sent to the fraudulent buyer, and the item may have been shipped. In every instance the bank will pass the loss back to you, who deposited the counterfeit check This means you are accountable for the cash sent — as well as any fees — and likely will not be able to retrieve your item if it has shipped.
7. The buyer explains that a third party or service will pick up or deliver the item.
8. Email or text inquiry is not specific to your item, seems odd or contains grammatical errors.
9. Buyer requests authentication or requires a history report on the item/vehicle through an unknown source, often with an accompanying website link.
10. The buyer sends a link that appears to be a KSL.com login. Never access any links sent by buyers or sellers that seem abnormal. 
11. Buyer claims KSL Classifieds or KSL Cars will handle the transaction.
    • • KSL.com is NEVER involved in any transaction between buyer and seller. Nor are we associated with any online payment company. Anyone who claims otherwise is suspect.
12. The seller asks to have money wired to them.

Suspicious Activity When Buying

1. Listing images do not appear to be original or are commonly used on other sites.
2. The buyer asks for payment prior to seeing the item or property
3. Item does not appear to have normal branding, logos, and or other identification normally associated with the manufacturer.
4. Images have background details that are abnormal to the local area (e.g. palm trees).
5. Member recently joined KSL Classifieds.
   • • This can be verified by the Member Since on the listing Page Stats. While not a sign of fraud, verifying info on the listing may validate or assuage any concerns you have.
6. The Seller states KSL.com will handle the transaction.
   • • KSL.com is NEVER involved in any transaction between buyer and seller, nor are we associated with any online payment company. Anyone who claims otherwise is suspect.
7. The seller claims KSL.com offers purchase protection or a warranty.
   • • KSL.com DOES NOT offer any type of purchase protection or warranty program, nor do we partner with any third parties to offer such a program. 
8. The seller tells you a third party or service will deliver the item.

Safe Practices for Buyers and Sellers 

1. Never provide personal information that is not available to the public.
2. Be wary of dealing with those who are outside of local communities, especially outside of the country.
3. Verify the IMEI number before purchasing a phone to verify whether or not the phone has been reported as lost or stolen.
4. Always ask for paperwork (e.g. registration, warranty info, title, etc.) to verify a seller's claims.
5. Check to see if the product you are buying or selling has been recalled.
6. Always verify the item's condition and payment before concluding the deal.
7. Have an expert examine expensive items before listing or buying.
8. Always print a copy or take a screenshot of the listing for your records.
9. Make sure the terms of the sale are clear.
10. Create a simple contract or bill of sale and accompany the buyer/seller to notarize large transactions.
11. Meet buyers/sellers in person in an open, public location.
    • • Many police stations offer “safe transaction zones.” Most large department stores have cameras in their parking lots to record your transaction. Meeting on federal property increases the penalties against anyone making bad choices during the transaction.
12. When using payment platforms like Apple Pay, Venmo, etc. meet in public and have the item in hand before sending money.
13. Be cautious of anyone who refuses to communicate on the telephone.
14. Negotiate terms as much as possible before you meet to avoid contentious negotiations in person.
15. Be honest about your expectations.
16. When buying a vehicle, call the DMV in your area to verify the seller owns the car and is able to sell it.
17.  

In Utah, call 800-DMV-Utah. In Idaho, call 208-334-8000 or use Idaho Transportation Department’s Online Services. Then have the seller accompany you with the title to the DMV.

What To Do When You Suspect Fraud

If you find a listing that you feel is fraudulent, flag it using the flag icon and fill out the required information on the form. Our support team will review it and take the appropriate actions. 

If you receive messages from buyers outside of our local area, consider the offer carefully before responding. If you are suspicious, please let them know that you are not interested (or just ignore their offer). However, if you feel compelled to report these incidents you can do so through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.