scam ads on the classifieds

[village idiot]

not sure if this has been covered yet, but I've noticed a massive increase in scam ads on the classifieds over the past week... in the last 24hrs, the classifieds are absolutely covered in them.

are the moderators having a snooze?

[robinessex]

Examples, so we know what they look like.

[village idiot]

just from the last few hours of ads posted up

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[robinessex]

I see the e-mail address in one of the pics. So how does the scam work? I wouldn't part with my money until I'd had my bum in the seat, hopefully a test drive, and a look at the history, contacting the last owner if possible. Plus the usual checks. And not cash. Bank transfer so a money trail exists.

[Shaw Tarse]

It's not something the mods can sort out.

[Devil2575]

robinessex said:

I see the e-mail address in one of the pics. So how does the scam work? I wouldn't part with my money until I'd had my bum in the seat, hopefully a test drive, and a look at the history, contacting the last owner if possible. Plus the usual checks. And not cash. Bank transfer so a money trail exists.

The car doesn't exist, or at least the person at the end of the email address doesn't own it.
Not sure how it works but I've heard of adds used to lure people to view cars and they are mugged.

[RacingPete]

village idiot said:

just from the last few hours of ads posted up

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Thank you for the report and the team have removed them.

We are constantly attacked by Scammers, as per any other major selling site - and at the moment they are targeting users with phishing attacks so that they can change adverts to their own details. We are working hard to try and spot, remove and sort this out.

More info on the current scams in operation on this page:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[jeremyc]

village idiot said:

just from the last few hours of ads posted up

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Note that at the top of each ad (just above the description) there is a 'Report' link: this is the quickest way of letting the classifieds team know about scams or problem ads.