Learn how to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams!
When you are looking to make some extra cash by finding the best deals or by selling something you don’t need anymore, you should keep an eye open and always be cautious about potential scams. The allure of a quick sale or a bargain can sometimes cloud our judgment, making us vulnerable to dishonest individuals who exploit the platform’s trusted environment. It’s essential to approach every transaction with a healthy dose of skepticism and a clear understanding of the risks involved.
Many people believe that the best platform for online trades is Facebook Marketplace, and indeed, it is a great platform, but remember that no matter what, safety comes first. Its integration with the social media network you already use makes it incredibly convenient, offering a massive, built-in audience of local buyers and sellers. This ease of use, however, is a double-edged sword. This is the second most popular site for secondhand goods after eBay, according to a survey from 2022, but even with all of this popularity, some people don’t feel comfortable buying and selling here. Their hesitation is understandable, as scams can range from simple non-payment to more elaborate schemes involving fake accounts and even personal safety risks.
Hopefully, there are some red flags you can see, and in this way, you can effectively avoid Facebook Marketplace scams. By learning to recognize the common tactics used by fraudsters, you can protect your finances and your personal information. This guide is designed to empower you with the knowledge needed to navigate the marketplace confidently. Read on and find out how to make some cash without worrying about scams!
1. Always use safe and reliable payment platforms
One reader told us a story about how they wanted to sell a pretty expensive and fancy rug on Facebook Marketplace. As you might imagine, buyers started to appear fairly quickly, and our seller was excited about it. The initial flurry of interest can be flattering, but it’s also a critical time when you need to be most vigilant and carefully vet each potential buyer.
There was one buyer who told the seller that they really wanted the rug and were able to pay immediately on Zelle. This seems like a good deal, but because they were not hesitant at all and wanted to make this transaction as quick as possible, it seems a little bit off for our seller. This sense of urgency is a classic pressure tactic. Scammers know that if they can rush you, you’re more likely to skip important security steps and make a mistake in their favor.
This is great because they spotted a red flag, and this is how you avoid Facebook Marketplace scams. Sometimes buyers can send you malicious links that steal your information. A very common version of this scam involves the buyer claiming they sent the payment via Zelle or Venmo but that you need to “upgrade to a business account” to receive it. They will then send a fake email, appearing to be from Zelle, instructing you to pay a fee to complete this “upgrade,” promising that the buyer will reimburse you. This is a complete fabrication designed to steal your money. People who accepted such transitions later on disregarded that their Zelle account was drained. We are sure you don’t want this to happen to you.
Always ask questions and see how the buyers react. A legitimate buyer will have no problem answering questions about the payment method or waiting for you to verify funds. If they start to become hesitant or simply don’t want to answer your questions, be sure you are dealing with a scammer. For your protection, stick to payment methods with built-in buyer and seller protection, like PayPal Goods & Services or Facebook’s own checkout system. Never accept payment via methods that are difficult to trace or reverse, such as wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, especially from someone you have never met.
2. Never take deals that sound too good to be true
This is already common knowledge in the community of those who prefer making online purchases from platforms like eBay and Craiglist, and the deals that sound too good are most probably scams. This age-old wisdom is perhaps more relevant than ever in the fast-paced world of online marketplaces. Scammers prey on our desire for a bargain, using deeply discounted prices on popular items to lure in unsuspecting victims.
If you see a popular item at an incredible price, start by doing some research instead of clicking the buy button. For instance, if a brand-new iPhone or a popular gaming console is listed for 50% off its retail price, you should be extremely suspicious. Check the seller’s profile, look at their other listings, and read any reviews they might have. You can also do a reverse image search on the product photos; scammers often steal pictures from other listings or commercial websites. If the same photo appears on multiple sites, it’s a major red flag. This is one wise way to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams, and you should keep your money safe.
If you have an item that you think nobody would probably want to buy and out of nowhere comes a buyer who seems quite in a hurry and very eager to buy it, keep in mind that this is a huge red flag. This can also apply to buyers. They might offer you more than your asking price for a common item and insist on paying immediately to have you ship it. Many scammers use this type of tactic when they create a sense of urgency and try to lure you into their trap. They might claim it’s a gift and they need it urgently, hoping you’ll rush through the process and fall for their fraudulent payment scheme, like a fake check or a stolen account.
3. Enlist a buddy
A great way to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams is to have someone close to you attend your meeting. Safety in numbers is a powerful deterrent against those with malicious intent. For example, whenever you want to buy or sell something, take a friend, a neighbor, or your spouse with you. If this is not possible, make sure that someone knows your plan. Having another person present not only discourages potential robbery or assault but also provides a witness and a second opinion on the transaction itself.
Hopefully, Facebook helps you and offers you a way to share your meetup plan with a friend. Open the Messenger thread that you have with the buyer and seller and select “More options.” After, tap “Create meetup plan” and choose the location and time of your meeting. When you want to share the plan, all you have to do is tap “Send Plan” and share it with a friend you want to keep in touch with. This creates a clear, documented record of your intentions that is easily shareable and provides crucial information if something were to go wrong.
Another thing we believe is wise to do is to also share your location with your buddy; preferably, give them your live location so they can be aware of where you are at any time. You can use Google Maps for that. Additionally, always insist on meeting in a safe, public, and well-lit location. Many police departments now offer designated “Safe Exchange Zones” in their parking lots, which are often under video surveillance. Other good options include the lobby of a busy bank, a bustling coffee shop, or the entrance of a grocery store. Never agree to meet at a secluded location or at the buyer’s or seller’s home if you can avoid it.
4. Choose the right shipping method
When you want to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams, one thing to look for is whether someone wants to use a prepaid shipping label or not. Generally, when someone approaches you and suggests this method of shipping, they are probably a scammer. The reason this is a red flag is that the label could be fake, purchased with a stolen credit card, or it could be for a different weight class. If the carrier discovers the discrepancy, you, the seller, could be on the hook for the additional shipping charges, or the package could be confiscated entirely. The scammer gets the item, and you are left with no product and no payment.
The best shipping methods are the classical ones, and we believe that relying on them is the best decision. FedEx, UPS, or USPS are incredible and safe options. By handling the shipping yourself, you control the process. You can ensure the package is correctly weighed, properly addressed, and that the appropriate service is chosen. Always insist that you want to ship through them, and if the seller or buyer doesn’t agree, it is a warning sign. Also, don’t forget to ask about the tracking number so you can easily monitor where the item is. For high-value items, it’s also a smart idea to purchase shipping insurance to protect against loss or damage in transit.
When you sell an item, be sure that the buyer first pays for it, and then you can ship it. This is non-negotiable. Wait for the payment to be fully processed and appear in your account before you even package the item. Nonpayment scams are more popular than you might think, and actually, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, these scams made $300 million victims in 2023. A common tactic is for a buyer to receive an item and then falsely claim it never arrived or was “not as described,” initiating a chargeback with their payment provider, leaving you without the item and the money.
5. Research time
Before closing any deal with a buyer or a seller, it is good to do your research. This is one of the most efficient ways to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams. Take five minutes to become a digital detective; it could save you significant time, money, and stress later. Try to gather as much information as possible about who the other person is on the other side of the screen. Start by thoroughly examining their Facebook profile.
There are a few clues that can indicate an account is new and is used for scams. Are there very few photos and the profile photo is missing altogether? Is the profile itself very new, created just a few days or weeks ago? Does the person have very few friends or no mutual friends with you? Are there any reviews? Or are there many negative reviews? Also, do their posts have grammar or spelling errors? A legitimate, long-standing profile usually has a history of activity, photos with friends and family, and a more established presence. A sparse, recently created profile should be treated with extreme caution.
Also, if you know someone in real life, this doesn’t mean that their account is secure, experts say. Even if you are working with someone you know, an acquaintance, or a colleague, you don’t need to drop your guard. Scammers can very easily create lookalike accounts, and you might think you are working with someone you know, but in reality, things are much different. They can copy the profile picture and name of your friend or acquaintance to trick you. They might message you with a story about being in a jam and needing to sell something quickly at a great price.
The best way to make sure all is safe is to check it with the person you are talking to through another way of communication. For example, you can send them a quick text message. A simple text saying, “Hey, just confirming it’s really you on Facebook Marketplace trying to sell that bike?” can instantly foil a scammer’s plot. Never rely solely on the Facebook Messenger conversation, especially if the deal seems unusual or the person’s language feels off.
6. Keep the personal details to yourself
Sometimes, no matter if you are a buyer or seller, you will find that those who want to work with you will ask various questions. But if the questions are too personal, such as what are your working hours or if you have a spouse or not, these might be questions they use to identify vulnerabilities. A transaction on Facebook Marketplace should be just that—a transaction. There is no legitimate reason for the other party to know your work schedule, marital status, or details about your daily routine. Be polite but firm in deflecting these inquiries.
Here are some questions that are definitely a red flag: “Are you home alone?” or “Will you let me enter the house to check the item?” If someone asks you these two questions, you better stop interacting with them and don’t give them any further details about you. Another dangerous question is any variation of, “Can you send me a verification code to prove you’re real?” This is a well-known scam used to hijack your accounts. The scammer is trying to set up a service like Google Voice with your phone number, and the code they ask for is the one sent to your phone to authorize it. Never, ever share a verification code with anyone.
Clearly, burglars want to understand your habits, how your days go, and even the layout of your home. Usually, they will do nothing the first time they come into your house, and you might believe this was just a regular transaction. They may pose as a legitimate buyer for a large item like a sofa or a television that requires them to enter your home. They will use this opportunity to case your property, noting security systems, valuable items, and potential entry points. They will probably return later when there is no one home, and this is when they will steal from you.
So if you want to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams, better keep personal information to yourself and never let anyone enter your home. If you are selling a large item that cannot be easily moved, conduct the transaction in your garage, on your front porch, or in your driveway. Have the item ready for inspection in this semi-public space before the buyer arrives. This minimizes risk and keeps the boundary between your personal space and the business transaction clear and secure.
If you want to learn how to avoid the most common online scams this book might help: Scam Me If You Can: Simple Strategies to Outsmart Today’s Rip-off Artists
You should also read: Free Money? Here Are 7 Sure Ways to Get Them
