Scam Alert: "buyers" wanting phone numbers

[gardenmom5]

I found out  what the scam is . . . They get you to send them an "authentication" code from google, then they take over your number in sale listings and when the legit buyer gets nothing, you get blamed.

 

Watch out for this scam if you’re buying or selling online - MarketWatch

 

How the scam works

Jaree had no interest in furniture. Her aim was to trick Rissman into divulging her phone number and then a Google Voice verification code.

Here’s how a Google Voice verification code scam typically works:

• A criminal downloads the Google Voice app and links it to a Gmail account.
• Then they find a potential victim, for instance on a sellers marketplace. They say they’ve been burned in the past by bots and ask the seller to accept and text back a code to prove they’re a real person.
• When the victim texts the code back, the scammer can link the Google Voice number to the victim’s authenticated phone.
• The scammer uses the Google Voice number in fraudulent ads on marketplace websites or other criminal activity.

In other words, first the scammer is a fake buyer, then once they trick victims into authenticating Google Voice accounts, the scammer becomes a fake seller — potentially ensnaring a second generation of victims who pay for goods they never receive.

Rissman became suspicious and ended the call when Jaree said there had been a problem and asked if Rissman had another number to try.

Although she writes about scams, Rissman says she was fooled because this didn’t have the typical hallmarks: She hadn’t been asked for personal data or account numbers, and she hadn’t provided a way to steal her identity or her money.