7 Warning Signs of Specialty Coffee Machine Scams on Folksy

Over-communication or pressure to act quickly: Scammers often try to rush you into a decision or payment before you have time to think or verify details. Be wary of buyers who insist on immediate transactions or sellers who use high-pressure sales tactics.

Requests to move communication or payment off-platform: Folksy provides a secure environment for transactions. If a buyer or seller insists on communicating via external apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) or making payments outside of Folksy's integrated system, it's a major red flag. This is often an attempt to bypass buyer/seller protection and evidence gathering.

Unrealistically low prices: While good deals exist, prices significantly below market value for specialty coffee machines can indicate a scam. This could be a sign of counterfeit goods, stolen items, or a phishing attempt where the item is not real.

Suspicious payment requests or offers: Be cautious of buyers who offer to overpay, request unusual payment methods, or send fake payment confirmations (like doctored screenshots or emails). These are common tactics in overpayment check fraud and fake proof-of-payment scams.

Impersonation of platform staff or legitimate entities: Scammers may pretend to be from Folksy support, payment providers, or shipping companies, asking you to 'verify' your account or details via suspicious links or emails. Always verify directly with the platform through official channels.

Stolen or misrepresented product images: Be wary if the seller uses generic stock photos or images that appear to be taken from other listings without proper attribution. This can be a sign of 'Stolen Artisan Photography' or that the item being sold is not as advertised.

Vague or evasive descriptions: A lack of detailed information about the machine's condition, features, or origin can be a tactic to hide defects or the fact that the item is not genuine. Legitimate sellers of specialty items usually provide thorough descriptions.