Un-moderated classifieds sites are posing a risk for South Africans as more than 50% of adverts placed online are scams. Without vigilant monitoring by online site owners, adverts can put consumers in danger.
This is according to Bronwyn Johnson, head of marketing at Kalahari Ads, who says that while the proliferation of online classified advertising has revolutionised consumer-to-consumer offline purchasing, making consumers lives easier, it has also presented an opportunity for criminals who are scamming people with illicit products, services and committing crimes.
She says that while Kalahari Ads uses the latest technology to try, as far as possible, to prevent fraudsters from taking advantage of end-users, people should act with caution and be aware that site owners have no control once the buyer and seller meet.
“We are extremely concerned about all incidents of harm to users across classifieds sites as all our businesses are harmed when something goes wrong,” she adds. “We can only warn our users and vigilantly read and monitor ads. Our primary motivation is to show only safe ads, but unfortunately we have no control once the buyer and seller meet.”
She advises people to only use sites that monitor all ads and spend time investigating possible fraudsters.
“100% of our adverts placed are monitored by people who are trained moderators who know what to look out for, and each advert submitted is assessed on a case-by-case basis,” Johnson explains.
“In addition to this, we have an automated taboo-list that identifies typical high-risk words and prevents them from posting copy immediately.”
She said that to further prevent incidents, Kalahari Ads has blocked and blacklisted users; phoned sellers to confirm their authenticity; notified the SPCA when they suspected animal harm in any way; notified crime prevention units - with whom they had built up relations.
“Kalahari Ads strives to create a healthy online trading environment, and online security is always a prime concern,” says Sharon Knowles, Operational Head of Kalahari Ads.
She advises consumers to take the following steps to ensure they don't become a victim of an online scam:
*Look out for the odd use of language (syntax, grammar, phrases and spelling may look odd);
*If you are searching for jobs look out for strange requests, meeting places and instructions to secure the position - if anything doesn't sound right it probably is not;
*Do not meet any prospective employer late at night, or go to the meeting alone;
*Do your research, if an organisation or company has been mentioned, call them to find out if the person has an affiliation to them. The email address will have a specific corporate domain;
*Make sure the photograph and copy of the advert are aligned;
*Scammers are rarely available to meet in person and if they are ensure you don't meet them alone, at night or in strange areas;
*Fraudsters will try to convince you of their trustworthiness and will sadly sometimes use religion to make you believe them;
*Do not accept payment by cheque;
*The golden rule is: if it sounds too good to be true, it generally is.
“In the interests of a safer SA, we urge all classifieds advertising services to adopt a zero tolerance policy to online scam, fraud and crimes and advise consumers to be vigilant in their response to adverts, so they don't become the victim of a scam or a crime,” concludes Johnson. - I-Net Bridge