Why Do Scams Thrive on Marketplace?
Common Scams Targeting Buyers:
1. Bait-and-Switch:
How it works: A seller advertises a high-value item at an incredibly low price. When you inquire, they claim it’s “just sold” but offer a higher-priced, lower-quality, or completely different item instead.
Red Flag: The original deal seems too good to be true. Sudden unavailability of the advertised item.
2. Non-Delivery or Damaged Goods:
How it works: You pay for an item (especially if it’s shipped), but either never receive it, or the item that arrives is broken, counterfeit, or significantly different from the description. The seller then becomes unresponsive.
Red Flag: Seller insists on shipping for local items, avoids in-person meeting, uses poor-quality photos, or has an unverified profile.
3. Advance Payment Scams (Rentals, High-Demand Items):
How it works: For high-value items like vehicles or rentals, the seller pressures you for a “deposit” or “holding fee” before you’ve seen the item in person or signed any official documents. They disappear after receiving payment.
Red Flag: Pressure to pay before viewing, unusually low price for the item/rental, refusal to meet in person at a public location.
4. Counterfeit or Knock-off Items:
How it works: Sellers list popular brand-name goods (e.g., electronics, designer bags) at suspiciously low prices. The item you receive is a fake or a poor-quality replica.
Red Flag: Price is drastically below market value. Generic photos (stock images) for used items. Lack of authenticity details.
5. Fake Giveaways, Surveys, or Phishing Links:
How it works: You receive a message about winning a prize or needing to complete a survey to get a gift card. The link leads to a fake website designed to steal your personal information (login credentials, bank details) or install malware.
Red Flag: Unsolicited messages about prizes. Links that don’t match Facebook or official brand domains. Requests for sensitive personal data outside official channels.
6. "Verification Code" Scams (Account Takeover):
How it works: A “seller” asks for your phone number, then sends you a text with a “verification code” (often a Google Voice or other service code). They ask you to read it back to “verify you’re real.” This code actually allows them to set up an account in your name or access a service linked to your number.
Red Flag: Any request for a verification code sent to your phone from someone on Marketplace.
Common Scams Targeting Sellers:
1. Overpayment Scams:
How it works: A “buyer” sends more money than the agreed-upon price (e.g., via a fake check, PayPal, or payment app) and asks you to refund the “extra” amount. The initial payment later bounces or is reversed, leaving you out of pocket for the refunded amount and having lost your item.
Red Flag: Any offer to pay more than your asking price. Insistence on using a specific, non-traceable payment method.
2. Fake Payment Confirmations:
How it works: A “buyer” shows you a screenshot or sends a fake email confirmation claiming they’ve paid for the item, pressuring you to hand it over quickly. The money never actually appears in your account.
Red Flag: Screenshot instead of actual payment confirmation in your bank/app. Pressure to hand over the item immediately. Email address of the “payment confirmation” looks suspicious (e.g., from Gmail, not PayPal.com).
3. "Shipping Fee" or "Delivery Insurance" Scams:
How it works: A “buyer” agrees to purchase your item and insists on arranging shipping or a special courier. They then send you a link to a fake shipping company website, asking you to pay a small “insurance fee” or “delivery charge” to initiate the process. This site aims to steal your credit card or banking details.
Red Flag: Buyer insists on a specific shipping service you don’t recognize or asks you to pay for any part of their shipping/delivery. Suspicious links.
4. Broken Item Claims (Buyer Fraud):
How it works: After receiving an item, the buyer claims it’s broken or damaged and demands a refund, often threatening negative reviews or reports. They may send a photo of a different broken item. They might keep your original item and get their money back.
Red Flag: Buyer suddenly changes tone after delivery. Photos of damage that don’t match your item. Reluctance to return the item before a refund.
5. Off-Platform Communication/Payment Pressure:
How it works: A “buyer” immediately tries to move the conversation off Facebook Messenger (e.g., to WhatsApp, email, or direct phone call) to avoid Facebook’s tracking and policies. They then pressure you to use non-traceable payment methods.
Red Flag: Immediate requests to switch communication platforms. Refusal to use Marketplace’s built-in shipping/payment options.
Universal Red Flags for BOTH Buyers and Sellers:
New or Empty Profiles: Accounts with no profile picture, very few friends, no activity, or created very recently.
“Too Good to Be True” Deals: An iPhone 15 for $100? A luxury watch for $50? If the price is unbelievably low, it’s likely a scam.
Pressure Tactics & Urgency: Any attempt to rush you into a decision or transaction (“I have other buyers,” “Must sell today!”).
Requests to Move Off-Platform: Asking for your personal email, phone number, or insisting on communicating outside Messenger.
Unusual Payment Methods: Insisting on gift cards, wire transfers, Zelle, Cash App (especially for shipped items), or crypto. These offer little to no buyer/seller protection.
Vague or Inconsistent Answers: The other party avoids direct questions about the item, its condition, or the transaction process.
Refusal to Meet in Public (for local deals): Insisting on meeting in a secluded spot, or at their home/your home for the first meeting.
Suspicious Links or QR Codes: Any request to click an external link or scan a QR code for “verification,” “payment,” or “shipping.”
Essential Safety Tips for Facebook Marketplace
Communicate ONLY via Facebook Messenger: Keep all discussions about the item, price, and logistics within Messenger. This keeps a record and makes it easier for Facebook to investigate if something goes wrong.
Use Secure Payment Methods:
For Local Deals: CASH is King. Inspect the item, exchange cash, and go.
For Shipped Items: Use Facebook’s built-in checkout system (which often includes Purchase Protection) or PayPal Goods & Services. These offer some level of buyer/seller protection.
AVOID: Wire transfers, gift cards, Zelle, Cash App, Venmo for large sums, or direct bank transfers for unknown parties.
Meet in Public, Well-Lit Places: For local pickups, choose a busy public location like a coffee shop, shopping center, or even a designated “Safe Trade Spot” (often at police stations). Bring a friend.
Inspect Items Thoroughly: For physical goods, always inspect the item carefully before handing over payment. For electronics, test them to ensure they work.
Research Profiles: Click on the other party’s profile. Look for:
An active history (posts, comments, friends).
Positive ratings and reviews on Marketplace.
An older account creation date.
Consistency in their profile information.
Never Share Personal Sensitive Information: Do NOT give out your bank account details (unless specifically setting up Facebook’s direct deposit for seller payouts), Social Security Number, date of birth, passwords, or 2-factor authentication codes.
Trust Your Gut: If a deal feels off, too good to be true, or you feel pressured, walk away. It’s better to miss a deal than to fall victim to a scam.
Document Everything: Keep screenshots of conversations, listings, payment confirmations, and tracking numbers. This evidence is vital if you need to report a scam.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a scammer or a suspicious listing, report it to Facebook immediately. This helps protect other users.
What to Do If You've Been Scammed?
Stop All Communication: Do not engage further with the scammer.
Report to Facebook: Use the reporting tools on the listing or the user’s profile.
Contact Your Payment Provider: If money was exchanged, immediately contact your bank, PayPal, or credit card company to report the fraudulent transaction.
Report to Law Enforcement: For significant financial loss or if you feel unsafe, contact your local police department.
Inform Others: Share your experience with friends and family to raise awareness.
