A user of the Leboncoin site has identified a scam attempt, which UFC-Que Choisir details on its website.
This new type of scam targets sellers on the platform. The consumer association tells the story of Elie, who wanted to sell his computer via the classifieds site. Shortly after putting his ad online, a potential buyer shows interest and offers to pay via the secure payment system set up by Leboncoin.
After a few exchanges, the seller affirms that the payment has been made and specifies to Elie that a justifying message will be sent to him. Indeed, a few moments later, the seller receives an e-mail in the colors of Boncoin, which seems perfectly coherent. But, he also has a good reflex: check, in the conditions of use of the secure payment of the classifieds site, that everything is in order. And, he learns in these that the message should have arrived in his secure messaging system. He then smells the scam and reports the buyer whose account will be quickly deactivated.
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Check the sender’s exact address before relying on their message
UFC-Que Choisir specifies that this type of scam has been increasing lately and therefore calls on consumers to be vigilant! In general, before validating a purchase or a sale, it is advisable to check the general conditions of a site to ensure that these are well respected. The association advises users to give preference to hand-delivery or shipment by Chronopost.
During a transaction or an exchange of messages via Leboncoin, the e-mails that you are likely to receive are sent by the following addresses: @leboncoin.fr, @news.leboncoin.fr, @messagerie.leboncoin.fr . The other addresses are created by scammers, who are increasingly using trickery to extort money or goods from consumers.