Facebook Marketplace: watch for thieves

The Brillion News

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has received multiple complaints from consumers regarding the false advertisement of a Recreational Vehicle (RV) for sale far below market value.

All Wisconsin residents should be on the lookout for these fraudulent RV listings on ‘For Sale By Owner’ websites. In this scam, an unknown person(s) is posting multiple RVs for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

When an interested party contacts the seller, they are advised that the RV is in storage and packaged for delivery.

The buyer is then directed to make payment through a third party, after which the RV will be delivered to them within five days.

Once the payment is made, the seller can no longer be contacted and the RV is never delivered.

The victims filing complaints with DATCP have reported losses totaling more than $115,000.

Any potential buyer seeing an advertisement listing an RV far below market value, should take caution.

DATCP investigators said if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Anyone victimized by this or a similar on-line sales scam should report the crime to local law enforcement and file a consumer complaint with DATCP.

Reports can be made online at www.datcp.wi.gov or by contacting the Consumer Information Hotline at 800-422-7128 or DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov and requesting a complaint form.