The Internet is no longer just a source of information but has become a marketplace as well. Communication has paved the way for more efficient and convenient methods of buying and selling goods. This online marketplace may not be as chaotic as a physical one but there are real dangers to it. Scammers may be preying on people who are enticed by the very notion of free classified ads and free online marketplace. Who does not care for a freebie? However, the freebie may actually come with a weightier price. On the other hand, a free online marketplace also has many benefits. The technologically advanced market is definitely a great virtual place to browse through with its many goodies and selections.

The benefits of free classified ads

Being named as "free" already shows an obvious benefit. You get to post your ad without worrying about how much you have to pay per day. Think about it: if you have to pay for your ad posting and then nobody replies for a long time, you may not profit from whatever service or product it is you are selling – unless of course your business is already booming. It is also quite easy to spread around your ads with the help of the free online marketplace. Even if you do post at a paid site, you can repost your ad in several free sites. Free classified ads also provide you with more opportunities to not just sell an actual product but to put up your own personal ads. You do not need a lot of money to look for love online. If you are the searcher, you will be given a vast selection to choose from; you may just find that rare book or DVD you have been scouring for everywhere.

Recognizing scams from online free classified ads

Just as you are looking for great opportunities for advertisement, scammers are also looking for opportunities to make a buck. If you are looking for a product to buy or a service, make sure that you do not get scammed. Be wary of advertisers that only post hard-to-believe offers. If their ad is too good to be true, then chances are that it is. These include ads that offer online jobs that promise to make you earn thousands of dollars in just a short period of time. Keep away from such jobs. They will usually ask for application fees and may even trick you into providing your social security number and bank account.

Sifting from offers on the Internet

If you are a seller, you may still be in danger in the free online marketplace. You know that your products and services are genuine. However, what about the ones replying to your post? Some scammers may reply not just to your product ads but also to your personal ads. They may not even be interested in what you are offering at all. They will respond with their own offerings. Examples of these are 419 scams. People who conduct these scams will pretend to be your friends and tell you that they are in a very difficult situation. They will ask you to send money to them in exchange for a bigger amount that they promise to give you as soon as their so-called affairs are settled. Be wary of people who request you to wire a significant amount of money to their account and ask for personal details, such as social security numbers and credit card numbers. Do not trust offers that overuse the name of God.

Posting your free classified ads

If you want to get instantaneous and positive results from your free classified ads, heed the warnings given on recognizing scammers. Make sure your ads are short enough to keep within the readers’ attention span. Add common sense and trust in your gut feelings and you are good to go.