7 Red Flags to Watch For When Buying a Sony A1 Mark II Camera on TradeMe

The 'Overpayment' Refund Scam: A scammer might send a fake payment confirmation for more than the agreed price and request you refund the difference. They often use fake screenshots of payment confirmations. Always verify funds directly through your bank or TradeMe's secure payment system before sending any money back.

Fake Ping Payment Confirmation: Similar to the overpayment scam, fraudsters will send convincing but fake confirmation emails or messages that appear to be from TradeMe's 'Ping' system. This is designed to trick you into believing payment has been made when it hasn't. Always log in to your TradeMe account directly to verify payment status.

Off-Platform Email Negotiation: Be extremely wary of buyers who immediately try to move the conversation off TradeMe to email or another messaging app. This is often an attempt to bypass TradeMe's security and dispute resolution processes, making it easier for them to perpetrate a scam. All communication and transactions for high-value items should ideally remain on the TradeMe platform.

The 'Safe-Trader' Phishing Site: Scammers create fake websites that mimic TradeMe or other legitimate services, often linked from suspicious emails or messages. They aim to steal your login credentials or financial information. Always ensure you are on the official TradeMe website (trademe.co.nz) and verify URLs carefully.

Fake Shipping Agent Fee: You might be asked to pay an additional fee to a 'shipping agent' for international delivery or customs clearance. This is a fabricated cost to extract more money from you. Reputable sellers will clearly state shipping costs upfront, and these should be handled through established shipping companies, not direct payments to unknown agents.

Account Takeover via SMS Link: Scammers send deceptive text messages, often appearing to be from TradeMe, that contain a link. Clicking this link can lead to a phishing site or install malware, compromising your account and personal information. Never click on suspicious links in SMS messages, especially if they urge immediate action.

The 'Verified Seller'/'Trusted Buyer' Imposter: Scammers may impersonate TradeMe staff or legitimate buyers/sellers to gain your trust. They might use compromised accounts with good feedback history to appear credible. Always verify the identity of the user through their TradeMe profile and recent activity.