Yahoo Finance NAB issues warning to Aussies: 'Take this urgent step'
A new PayID scam is targeting Aussies on second-hand sale websites like Facebook Marketplace.
Aussies are being bombarded by scammers and this time they are targeting users who are trying to sell their stuff online through sites like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.
NAB sounded the alarm and said it was aware of scammers using “fake or compromised” social media profiles to contact sellers and making offers to purchase items.
The scammer will ask to use PayID for the payment, and will ask for the seller’s PayID email or pressure them to set up an account.
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They will then claim to have sent money for the goods, but will say PayID told them the transaction couldn’t be completed because the seller doesn’t have a “business account”.
The scammer says they have sent extra money for the business upgrade and will ask to be reimbursed.
“Do not send funds to the buyer. This is a scam. There's no such thing as a PayID account upgrade,” NAB warned.
For the next part of the scam, the fraudster will send a fake email pretending to be from PayID to back up the story.
“Your payment is pending as the status of your account is not a business user…Take this urgent steps [sic] to expand your account to a business account,” one example shared by NAB reads.
NAB said PayID was managed by your bank and that you would never receive communication directly from PayID via email, text or message. You will also never need to upgrade your account or pay fees before money can be received into your bank account.
Aussie nearly loses $500 to scam
Similar PayID scams have been doing the rounds in recent months, with Aussie content creator Alexandra Duffin sharing that she nearly lost $500 to the scam.
“I nearly just got scammed $500 but because of my smart FBI skills I saved the day and my bank account,” she shared on TikTok.
Duffin said she was suspicious about the “PayID” emails she received and decided to look up the email address on Facebook. It then turned out to be linked to the supposed buyer’s Facebook profile.
“I blocked her and I didn’t lose any money. Be careful this doesn’t happen to you or anyone you know.”
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