Facebook Marketplace Scams: 10 Tips to Stay Safe

The Facebook marketplace has become a go-to place for buying and selling almost anything. Whether you are looking for furniture or electronics, the Facebook marketplace has it all.

No wonder the platform has gained a massive user base. Therefore, you can get great deals to quickly sell or purchase items.

However, It comes with certain risks, just like any online platform. The scammers are present almost everywhere and looking for ways to trick users like you.

In this blog, we have discussed some common Facebook marketplace scams and the best tips to avoid them.

Types of Facebook Marketplace Scams

Here are some of the most common types of Facebook marketplace scams. 

Payment Facebook Marketplace Scams

Payment schemes are everywhere over the internet. You can find it on the Facebook marketplace too.

Scammers use clever tricks to steal your money or personal information while pretending to be trustworthy sellers or buyers.

Here’s how payment scams work and how you can protect yourself.

1. Gift Card Scams

Scammers can ask you to pay for an item using your prepaid gift card.

When you send your card details, they instantly disappear. Consequently, you are left with no item and no way to recover your money. Experts recommend to never use such gift cards for payments in online transactions.

2. Venmo Scams

Some scammers use the Venmo app to create fake rental listings, phishing schemes, or overpayment tricks.

For example, a fraudster can ask you for a rental deposit through Venmo and then vanish. There is another common tactic you might have already encountered.

A fraudster can come to you and say that they have already paid for something twice and request a refund. Therefore, you should only use one more for trusted connections and verify all transactions.

3. Cash App Scams:

Cash App scams follow the same pattern as when more. In this case, fraudsters act as sellers or landlords so that they can take your money and disappear.

Hence, you should only pay after receiving the item and avoid sending money to strangers.

4. Zelle Scams

Zelle is another money transfer platform that attracts fraudsters to do huge scams. If a person approaches you with a Zelle payment screenshot, beware, as it can be a scam!

They may ask you to send an item quickly, but you must check your account if the money is received or not.

5. Wire Transfer Scams

There are so many scammers at this time who claim to be overseas and request wire transfers for payment.

Some even send fake wire confirmations to make you believe they have paid. The best recommendation is to stay aware of such requests for quick payments.

Common Product and Inventory Facebook Marketplace Scams

Scammers often trick buyers like you into paying for items that are broken, fake, or not exactly as advertised.

Therefore, you should recognize and avoid such product and inventory Facebook marketplace scams.

1. Bait and Switch Scams

In bait and switch scams, the seller lists an item at an attractive price. However, you receive a completely different item from the listed item.

For example, you ordered a gaming console and ended up with just the empty box or a printed photo of the item.

Therefore, you can avoid this by meeting sellers in a safe public place so that you can verify that item before purchasing. If the seller refuses to meet you, it’s more likely a scam.

2. Shipping Scam

Shipping scams come in various forms. A seller can take payment from you and never ship the item.

Additionally, a buyer could send you a prepaid shipping label that prevents you from tracking the package. Some buyers send fake payment confirmations and ask you to ship the item quickly.

So you don’t get enough time to check if you have been paid or not. Therefore, we recommend dealing with only those people who have verified profiles or high ratings.

If shipping frequently, you should consider using a trusted platform with buyer and seller protection.

3. Car Scams

If you are into purchasing or selling cars, you should be aware of common fraud tactics. You can encounter scams like fake vehicle reports, escrow accounts, or malicious links.

Any scammer can claim to sell cars on behalf of someone abroad. If you are buying a car, you should always insist on test-driving it.

If the seller refuses, it is a complete red flag. Besides, you should avoid clicking on any suspicious links.

4. Fake or Stolen Items

It can be hard to tell if an item is fake or stolen But you can always guess it through some warning signs.

If a seller lists something far below market value, it pressures you to act quickly. Additionally, a seller can refuse to share where or when they have purchased the item.

These are some red flags. Hence, you should avoid sellers offering multiple expensive items at unusually low prices.

5. Rental Scams

Rental scammers often post fake listings to collect deposits or fees. Some fraudsters hijack legitimate ads and charge fees just to view a property.

Moreover, you can see other people advertising “lease-free” rentals and claim no credit checks or paperwork for it.

This can seem appealing, but it is usually a scam. Therefore, you should never send money before viewing a property in person. Note that legitimate rentals involve a lease to protect both parties.

Google Voice Number Scams

Scammers always come up with new ideas to scam you. If a person tells you that you look suspicious and ask you to verify your identity before they purchase anything from you, it’s time to be alert.

The scammer can also ask you for your phone number. If you give your phone number, then they will secretly register you as a Google Voice number.

Then, they ask you for a verification code sent to your phone. If you give your verification code, you allow them to use your Google Voice account for any fraudulent activity.

Fake Giveaway Scams

Facebook marketplace is a platform for buying and selling items. So if someone offers something for free, it’s always a Facebook marketplace scams.

You should be extra cautious if they claim you have won a price or promotion. These offers often come with hidden intentions.

If someone asks you to fill out a form to claim a free item, you need to think twice. They can lure you to take your personal information and misuse it.

Unnecessary Information Scams

If a buyer or seller suddenly asks for personal details like your phone number, email, or address, it indicates a red flag.

This information is not actually needed for transactions. If you are someone who is facing this, you should end the conversation then and there.

Tips for Safe Transactions on Facebook Marketplace

Look at the tips below for safe transactions on the Facebook marketplace.

1. Check the Seller’s Profile: You should review the seller’s profile carefully before you buy. Legitimate sellers usually have detailed profiles with photos, history of activity, and connections. If anything seems suspicious, take your step back.
2. Stick to Facebook Messenger: Keep all communication within Facebook Messenger. You should avoid sellers who want to move the conversation to external apps or email because this could be a sign of fraud.
3. Deals that Seem too Good: If a deal sounds unrealistically cheap, you’re going to face Facebook marketplace scams. Scammers often attract buyers with low prices to lure them. Therefore, you must compare prices for similar items to find out if the offer is fair.
4. Use Cash for Payments: Whenever possible, pay in cash. You can also use trustworthy transaction platforms like credit cards, debit cards, etc. Note that if you are using electronic transfers or third-party payment services, it will be hard for you to recover your funds if something goes wrong.
5. Meet in Public Places: You should always meet sellers or buyers in a safe and well-lit public place. Never meet anyone at your home or the seller’s address. You can also bring someone with you, like a friend, for extra safety.
6. Inspect the Item: You should check the item carefully before paying. Make sure it matches the seller’s description. If it is a car, you can test drive to verify the product.
7. Never Pay in Advance: Don’t send money before you see you have received the item. You must be extra cautious with sellers who claim to be overseas or unable to meet in person.
8. Look for Reviews: Some sellers have reviews and ratings on their profiles. You should always look for positive feedback to get some assurance, but be aware of whether there are no reviews or if they seem fake.

What to Do if You’re Scammed on Facebook Marketplace?

It is extremely frustrating to get Facebook Marketplace scams, but acting quickly can help minimize the damage and possibly recover your money.

Follow these steps:

1. Stop Communication
   • You should cut off contact with the scammer immediately.
   • Scammers can try to manipulate or pressure you further, so don’t engage with them.
2. Report the Scam to Facebook
   • Go to the listing or message thread with the scammer.
   • Click the three dots and select “Report Buyer” or “Report Seller.”
   • Facebook will review the report and may suspend the scammer’s account.
3. Contact Your Payment Provider
   • Reach out to the platform you used for payment (e.g., PayPal, Venmo, Cash App).
   • Dispute the charge and explain the situation.
   • Some platforms offer buyer protection and can help recover your money.
4. Report to Local Authorities
   • You should file a complaint with your local police.
   • Then, you need to provide details of the transaction, including the scammer’s name, profile, and messages.
5. Alert Your Bank
   • If you share financial details, you must contact your bank immediately. They can monitor for unauthorized transactions and secure your account.
6. Check for Identity Theft
   • If you provided personal information, you should monitor your credit reports.
7. File Complaints with Agencies
   • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
   • Notify the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to alert others.
8. Warn Others
   • Share your experience with friends, family, or community groups. Let others know what to watch for to avoid falling into similar scams.
9. Be Cautious in the Future
   • You should only use secure payment methods with fraud protection.
   • Meet sellers or buyers in person in a safe public place.
   • Needless to mention, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

Conclusion

Facebook Marketplace is a great place for selling or purchasing items but only if you know how to play smart.

This blog gives you detailed knowledge of how to avoid Facebook marketplace scams tactics. Share it with your friends and family so everyone can be safe.