Giving out email addresses...

[kaymus1964]

I have a product for sale on Kijiji in Saskatchewan and it's posted on the Regina only Kijiji site.  It's been on there for a couple months and I haven't had much interest.  It is a somewhat rare item and all of a sudden I have two people interested.  One from New York and the other from Italy which I find strange.  The one in Italy is asking for my address and the one in New York is asking for my email so he can send me the money through PayPal, which I have an account with.  Just wondering what precautions I should take in these crazy times where scams are prevalent.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[Temp20230515G]

Hi,

Using Paypal is much safer and easier, just saying 😀

As a seller, I suggest for you to give the email address listed in your account so that they can send you money. Do not send out the item unless the money is already showing in your Paypal balance. It is very common to receive emails saying that the money is already available and buyer wants you to send the item already. 

You may want to check this article since you are covered by Seller's protection: https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/what-is-the-seller-protection-policy-and-what-items-aren...

Hope it helps!

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@kaymus1964 

I bet its this scam, that is why they 'request' your email address rather than ask you to send them a money request or invoice as they have no intention of payin.

READ IT SO YOU ARE AWARE IN CASE IT IS.

SCAM.

They encourage you to accept a 'direct' Paypal payment and may ask you to send the item internationally.
No funds or activity of the transaction shows in your Paypal account and any emails 'may' go into your junk/spam folders.

They don't quibble on cost and may also say they can't view the item as they are disabled or working abroad etc etc but they will arrange a shipping agent to collect it.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't because they don't actually have a Paypal account and have no intention of paying you.
It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.
They will tell you that the payment is released when you provide paypal with a tracking/shipping number......this won't happen.
OR
The 'fake' paypal email will tell you that the buyer has paid for the item + shipping costs but you must send those shipping costs to the courier/ shipping agent via anther payment processor than Paypal OR via providing some vouchers or tokens before the funds are released to you.
They are not interested in the item, they just want that couriers/shipping funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.
Paypal do not tell you to send trackable, they advise it for selling protection but it is not compulsory.
Paypal NEVER expect you to use a rival money transfer service eg Moneygram or Western Union etc.
Also their is no seller protection on paypal for any type of motor vehicle or item that is collected by the buyer.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers. 

[kaymus1964]

Thanks.  That sounds about right.  Didn't quibble on the price, actually offered more once I told him I had another offer and would wait until Italy opened up for shipping from Canada and the shipping was a sticking point all the way.  Makes sense.  I asked for his email address to request payment so we'll see how that goes but I'm guessing you're right.  I'll keep you posted as you seem to be pretty good at this.  Cheers.