Leboncoin, France's premier classifieds platform, features over 27 million listings from individuals and professionals. Covering everything from second-hand clothes and vacation rentals to household appliances, sports equipment, multimedia devices, and vehicles, it draws 7 billion monthly page views and €307 million in revenue.
Its massive popularity, however, also attracts scammers. With straightforward common sense and vigilance, you can sidestep these traps effectively. Here's how, based on well-documented patterns from years of platform monitoring.
If a buyer insists on communicating solely by email to close the deal, proceed with extreme caution. Scammers often push for prepaid shipping of your item, promising payment that never arrives.
Refuse anyone avoiding phone calls or SMS. Prioritize hand-to-hand exchanges with cash payments—the most secure way to transact on sites like Leboncoin.
Leboncoin sees a surge in activity before Christmas or summer vacations, creating perfect cover for scammers amid high traffic. Stay extra alert then, and year-round, against deals that sound unrealistically good—they're classic red flags.
This enduring scam involves fake sellers promising payment through services like Western Union mandates, often from abroad, bypassing French banking protections. You'll lose money without receiving the item.
Spot these by poor spelling and awkward French in messages. Trust your instincts and walk away.
PayPal is a trusted option on Leboncoin, offering dispute resolution and buyer/seller protections.
Scammers mimic it with bogus emails urging you to ship first, claiming payment follows. Real PayPal never requests this. Always verify sender addresses end in @paypal.com or @paypal.fr. Ignore mismatches and halt communication.
Renters aren't the only targets. Property owners listing vacation homes face 'tenants' who overpay upfront via transfer, then demand refunds for the excess—followed by canceling the original payment.
These often originate abroad. Insist on standard bookings and verified payments to protect your rentals.
