How to Avoid Facebook Marketplace Scams

Facebook Marketplace is a great way to buy and sell items, but like any other online marketplace, there are risks involved. 

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common Facebook Marketplace scams and how to avoid them. We will also provide tips on protecting yourself as a buyer or seller on Facebook Marketplace.

Why Are Scammers Targeting Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook is the most popular social media platform in the world. It has over 2 billion active users and continues to grow. It’s a great way to stay in touch with friends and family, and it’s also a great way to connect with people who share your interests.

Aside from that, Facebook is a powerful tool for marketing or services. Its market platform, Facebook Marketplace, is a very popular platform with over 800 million monthly active users. This makes it a prime target for scammers.

Unfortunately, Facebook does not have the same level of protection as other online marketplaces, such as eBay or Amazon. This makes it easier for scammers to operate on Facebook Marketplace without getting caught.

The Most Common Facebook Marketplace Scams

You should be aware of a few different types of Facebook Marketplace scams. Here are some of the most recurring scams:

Defective Items

This is a type of scam where the seller sells an item that is defective or not as described. For example, they may sell a phone that doesn’t work or a piece of ripped clothing.

Counterfeit Items

This type of scam occurs when the seller sells a fake or counterfeit item. For example, they may sell a fake designer handbag or a knock-off electronics item.

Overpayment

In this type of scam, if you sell an item, the buyer will send you more money than the asking price. The buyer will then ask you, the seller, to send them the difference. This is a scam because the buyer’s payment will eventually be reversed by their bank, and you will not be paid.

Phishing

Phishing is a type of scam where the scammer will try to get your personal information, such as your address or bank account number. They may ask you to message them outside of Facebook Marketplace.

Non-Delivery

This is a scam where the seller takes the buyer’s money but never sends the item. This can be especially difficult to spot if the seller is located in a different country.

Bait-and-Switch

This type of scam occurs when the seller uses a fake profile or photo to lure buyers into purchasing an item. The item that the buyer receives is usually not as described or is lower in quality.

Early Warning Signs

There are a few warning signs that you can look for to avoid getting scammed on Facebook Marketplace. If you see any of these red flags, it’s best to avoid the transaction altogether.



No Profile Photo

If the seller doesn’t have a profile photo, that’s a red flag. A real Facebook user is more likely to have a profile photo than someone who is trying to scam people.

Even if the seller has a profile photo, it may still be suspicious. If the photo looks like it was taken from a stock image website or seems fake in any way, it’s best to avoid the transaction.

Suspiciously Low Price

If an item is being sold for significantly less than its market value, that’s a red flag. This could be a sign that the item is counterfeit or defective.

Of course, there are always going to be deals on Facebook Marketplace. But if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Pushing For Meetups

If the seller insists on meeting up in person, that’s a red flag. Facebook Marketplace is designed for buyers and sellers to connect online. There’s no need to meet up in person unless you’re comfortable doing so.

If the seller insists on meeting up in person, be sure to do so in a public place. And if you can, bring a friend with you.

Trying to Bring the Conversation Out of Facebook

If the seller asks you to message them outside of Facebook, that’s a red flag. Facebook offers protection for buyers and sellers on its marketplace platform. If the seller wants to take the conversation off Facebook, they may be trying to scam you.

Asking for Personal Information

If the seller asks for your personal information, such as your address or bank account number, that’s a red flag. This is usually a sign of phishing.

How to Avoid Facebook Marketplace Scams

Now that you’re aware of some of the most common Facebook Marketplace scams, here are the ways you can avoid being a victim:

Don’t Accept Overpayment

If a buyer offers to pay you more than the asking price for your item, don’t accept it. Their bank will eventually reverse the buyer’s payment, and you’ll be out of money.

Always Inspect Before Purchase

If you’re buying an item from Facebook Marketplace, inspect it before making the purchase. If possible, meet up with the seller in person to do this.

Read Reviews

Before you buy or sell to someone on Facebook Marketplace, be sure to read their reviews. This will give you an idea of what others have experienced when dealing with this person.

Always Meet in a Public Place

If you do decide to meet up with someone in person, be sure to do so in a public place. This will help you stay safe and avoid getting scammed.

Stay on Facebook

If a seller asks you to take the conversation off Facebook, don’t do it. Facebook provides buyers and sellers with protection on its marketplace platform.

Check Payment Policy

Before you make a purchase on Facebook Marketplace, be sure to check the seller’s payment policy. This will let you know if they accept returns, refunds, or exchanges.

How to Report Facebook MarketPlace Scams

If you think you’ve been the victim of a Facebook Marketplace scam, you can report it to Facebook. To do this, go to the marketplace and find the listing for the purchased item. Then click on the three dots in the top right-hand corner and select “report.”

To help out potential buyers and sellers, Facebook created its Purchase Protection policies. It’s a comprehensive guide to ensuring that all transactions done on Facebook go as smoothly as possible.

You can also report Facebook Marketplace scams to your local law enforcement. And if you’ve been scammed out of money, you should contact your bank or credit card company to see if they can help.

The Bottom Line

All in all, though Facebook Marketplace is a wonderful medium for buying and selling, there are some things you need to be aware of to avoid getting scammed. Take note of the most common scams so that you can have a safe and successful experience on the platform.