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'''Ukash/Paysafe/Courier Scam:'''
==Ukash/Paysafe/courier scam==
This scam involves the offer of an attractive item (TV, games console, white goods), followed by a delay in responding to requests, eventually leading to an acceptance which explains the delay was because the moderators hadn't approved it yet, and that the offerer has since moved. They offer to courier the item instead, giving details and asking for payment of courier charges via Ukash vouchers. If "hooked", the requester is then asked for carriage charges, then insurance, then possibly a release charge because the package has got held up. The outcome is no item, and money paid via Ukash or Paysafe lost.


This scam involves the offer of an attractive item (TV, games console, white goods), then there is a delay on response to requests eventually leading to an acceptance which explains the delay was due to the moderators not approving it and also that the offerer has moved.  But they can courier the item, so give details for this with a request for payment of courier charges via Ukash vouchers.  If 'hooked' the requester will be asked for carriage charges, then insurance, then possibly a release charge as the package got held up.  The outcome is no item and money paid via Ukash or Paysafe lost.
This scam has been running since it first appeared on Freegle in late 2013. To help counter it, consider adding a footer to your community's messages:


To help counteract this long running (it first appeared on Freegle late 2013) scam, why not put a footer on each of your group messages:
''"Please do not pay courier fees for any item offered via Freegle. It will be a scam!"''


''Please do not pay courier fees for any item offered via Freegle. It will be a scam!''
This scam usually also involves the use of [[070 telephone numbers]], which will rack up even more money scammed if a victim uses them to contact the scammers.


This scam usually includes the use of [[070 telephone numbers]] which will rack up even more money scammed if used to contact the scammers.
If a member reports this scam, please let info@ilovefreegle.org know, record it in ModTools so the scammer is removed from communities, and advise the member to report it online to the police if they've lost money: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk


If you have a member report this scam, please let info@ilovefreegle.org mailbox know, record it in modtools so the scammer is removed from groups and also advise the member to report it online to the police if they have been a victim and lost money - https://www.actionfraud.police.uk
==Telephone numbers==
See [[070 telephone numbers]] for information on how 070-prefixed phone numbers are used for scams.


==See also==
*[[Specific Problems]]


'''Telephone numbers:'''
[[Category:Difficult Situations & Problems]]
 
See [[070 telephone numbers]] for information about the use of 070 prefixed telephone numbers and how they can be use for scams.
 
 
 
 
 
Link:  [[Specific Problems]]
 
 
[[category:Specific Problems]]

Latest revision as of 12:00, 17 July 2026

Ukash/Paysafe/courier scam

This scam involves the offer of an attractive item (TV, games console, white goods), followed by a delay in responding to requests, eventually leading to an acceptance which explains the delay was because the moderators hadn't approved it yet, and that the offerer has since moved. They offer to courier the item instead, giving details and asking for payment of courier charges via Ukash vouchers. If "hooked", the requester is then asked for carriage charges, then insurance, then possibly a release charge because the package has got held up. The outcome is no item, and money paid via Ukash or Paysafe lost.

This scam has been running since it first appeared on Freegle in late 2013. To help counter it, consider adding a footer to your community's messages:

"Please do not pay courier fees for any item offered via Freegle. It will be a scam!"

This scam usually also involves the use of 070 telephone numbers, which will rack up even more money scammed if a victim uses them to contact the scammers.

If a member reports this scam, please let info@ilovefreegle.org know, record it in ModTools so the scammer is removed from communities, and advise the member to report it online to the police if they've lost money: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk

Telephone numbers

See 070 telephone numbers for information on how 070-prefixed phone numbers are used for scams.

See also