Local Trends And Safety Advisories [Singapore]

Avoid these latest scams in Singapore! We update these safety advisories regularly to share with users what to look out for and how to protect themselves. 

If you come across any suspicious accounts, please report it to our team.

• [July 2023] Think using cash on delivery for luxury items is 100% safe? Think again! Scammers try to gain buyers trust by offering cash on delivery, assuring buyers that they only pay when they receive the item.
  
  However, buyers are not able to open and check the parcel before paying for it and after paying, find themselves receiving an item that is completely different from what they ordered! Be extra vigilant when
  (1) Sellers refuse to do meet-ups with excuses that they are overseas for a work trip/holiday
  (2) Account is new and is selling brand new, high demand luxury products/accessories at attractive prices. If it is too good to be true, it probably is!
  
  Protect yourself from cash on delivery scams by paying through our on-platform payment system, whereby Carousell holds onto the funds until you have confirmed that you have received your item as described. 
  
  
• [July 2023] Concert season is around the corner and concert ticket scams are on the rise. Ticket buyers are encouraged to verify the authenticity of the tickets before making any payment. Opt for meet-ups to check the tickets physically –  cross check the name on the ticket with the seller's name. Carousell would like to remind users that tickets purchased from third-party vendors do not guarantee entry. Be wary when sellers try to get you to pay a deposit or in-full  immediately to secure the tickets – scammers will try to create a false sense of urgency by claiming that they have other buyers lined up to get you to transfer to them as soon as possible. 
  
  
• [June 2023] Phishing attempts are on the rise and scammers are asking sellers to provide a screenshot of your verified status to prove that you are a verified user. After providing this screenshot that reveals your email address and phone number, you will receive an email claiming that payment has been made for one of your items and you will need to enter your bank account details to receive payment. You would never need to leave the app, send your email address or mobile number to receive payment through Carousell's payment system. If you're being asked to enter your credit/debit card details to receive payment, do not proceed and report the user to us immediately. Be careful who you share your personal information to.

• [May 2023] Concert season is around the corner and concert ticket scams are on the rise. Opt for meet-ups to check the tickets physically –  cross check the name on the ticket with the seller's name. Be wary when sellers try to get you to pay immediately to secure the tickets – scammers will try to create a false sense of urgency by claiming that they have other buyers lined up to get you to transfer to them as soon as possible. 
  
  
• [Mar 2023] If you are dealing with someone who claims to be a property agent, verify their mobile number on CEA website. Check if the estate agent's mobile number matches the number you are liaising with.
  
  
• [Nov 2022] We've been alerted by the local authorities that scammers are now impersonating Carousell via SMS to inform victims that they are receiving payment for their sold items. The victims (sellers) would first be contacted on Carousell with the scammer informing the victims that they are interested to purchase the items sold by the victims. The victims are then told that they will receive an SMS pertaining to either the courier or payment. The victims will then receive the SMS and are re-directed to a phishing site to key in their credit card details thinking that the page is to facilitate them to receive payment for their sold items. 
  
  
• [Oct 2022] Scammers might take advantage of high demand items such as latest release iPhone by opening Pre-Order items and ask for advance payments. Always do your due diligence especially before making such a high value item transaction and opt for safer payment method such as Carousell Protection. The Singapore Police Force has released an advisory that you can refer to for tips on purchasing high demand online electronic products.
  
  
• [Sep 2022] We've been alerted by the local authorities on the rise of phishing scams whereby scammers are impersonating Carousell and approaching sellers on the platform claiming that they are interested in purchasing their item. The seller will then re-directed to a phishing site to input credit card details, with the impression that they will receive their payments for the item. Note that official emails from Carousell will always come from @carousell.com email domain. Some of the fake domain used are: notification@carousell.me. notifications@carousell.me, offer@carousell.me. You will also never be directed to a third-party website to input your personal details for Carousell Protection-related services.
  
  
• [Sep 2022] If you are dealing with property agent to buy or rent your home, verify their mobile number on CEA website. Check if the estate agent's mobile number matches the number you are liaising with.
  
  
• [Apr 2022] Looking for a place to buy or to rent? Beware of scammers pretending to be property agents. You do not need to pay fees to secure a viewing appointment.
  
  
• [Mar 2022] Always take precaution when purchasing virtual items or in-game products such as mobile game accounts, add-on items, inventory or tradable game items. Check against the game provider and its policy to confirm if such transactions are safe and allowed on its platforms.
  
  
• [Jan 2022] Beware of individuals impersonating as Carousell Customer Support. We’ve received reports of victims receiving paid tasks from such individuals, only to lose all the money after completing the tasks and topping up money.
  
  
• [Jan 2022] We’ve been notified by the local authorities of a scammer posing as a buyer, typically approaching sellers to express interest in buying their items. After agreeing to buy the item, the scammer would request to make payment via Carousell Protection and would require the seller to click on a link in their email to complete the transaction. These emails would be from domains like @gmail.com and would lead users to a phishing site where you will be asked for your online banking credentials. For Carousell Protection transactions, we will never require you to confirm payment via email or ask for online banking login credentials through 3rd party websites. Also, official emails from Carousell will always come from @carousell.com email domain. Please refer to our tips on Account Security to understand how to spot such scams and fake email domains that appear to be from Carousell.
  
  
• [Dec 2021] Take note of a new scam trend where scammers create fake job advertisements outside of Carousell (e.g. on FaceBook, or sent via unsolicited WhatsApp messages from unknown numbers). Victims will then be asked to list items on Carousell under their own account on behalf of the scammer, and include the scammer’s phone number on the listing description so future victims will transact directly with the scammer. Please be wary of easy jobs that offer lucrative commissions that are simply too good to be true! Protect yourself and others by not accepting dubious job offers that offer lucrative returns for minimal effort.
  
  
• [Dec 2021] Opt to use Carousell protection when buying attraction or hotel voucher for your staycation. Especially if the price is too good to be true!
  
  
• [Apr 2020] As the school holiday season approaches, we typically see a higher demand in gaming consoles like Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PS5. For higher value items, use our secure escrow in-app payment Carousell Protection, avoid paying upfront without doing your due diligence or even opt for a meet-up so that you can check the item before making payment.