HOW TO FIX SCAMMERS

Gumtree will have to bring in a policy whereby they do not allow new ads on the weekends or evenings when they do not work for certain categories. If the advert is placed into the wrong category, it will show up quicker and can easily spotted and removed. Any ads posted during those times will need to be approved during office hours. To post an advert, the poster will have to supply validation by means of a photo of themselves with the current date on it. This photo can then be used along with the poster's IP address which can be colected quite easily via automatic software routine. If the advert proves to be a scam and passed onto DOCEP (in WA) who can then prosecute with the evidence collected. 

 

Most people these days have camera phones, they could send the pics via thier phone which would also provide evidence. The cost of sending the pics is not much to get a free ad. The majority of decent advertisers would not/should not object to this as a necessary evil to get rid of these idiots.

 

If anyone has any other ideas on how to stop the scammers, then post your ideas on here and perhaps Gumtree will be able to utilise some of them.

 

1st Idea (which I agree with) from a Gumtree site visitor;