The Top Facebook Marketplace Scams and How to Avoid Them

Facebook Marketplace is a popular platform for people who want to buy or sell used items. With more and more shoppers browsing the site, the number of scammers on the platform has also increased. They have several tricks up their sleeves to lure you into parting with your hard-earned money, so be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

Whether you want to use Facebook Marketplace to buy or sell your old phone, top smart speaker, furniture or clothes, it’s wise to educate yourself about common scams on the platform.

Defective or counterfeit devices and electronic items

Is a seller promising a new AirPods Pro for a low price of $100? You may also see listings that show luxury items for a whopping 60% to 70% off. There is no drought of counterfeit luxury items, and Facebook Marketplace has become a preferred place to clear such inventory. As the saying goes, “If something is too good to be true, it probably is.”

Before contacting such sellers for product inquiries, check the usual price for the product on the company’s website or Amazon. You should also request multiple photos and live product videos from the sellers. If you intend to buy the item, meet the right person in a public place and pick up the product before making bank transfers.

Bait and switch

This is a popular technique that sellers use to entice you to buy other similar items. Here’s how it works. A seller posts a high demand item on Facebook Marketplace to get your attention. When you inquire about the product, it has already been sold. This is a red flag. Then the seller asks you to go with another similar item instead.

Suppose you want to buy the latest MacBook Pro, which is unavailable at major retailers due to crazy Christmas demand. Sometimes sellers may advertise a MacBook Pro in the listing, and when you inquire about the product details, the person asks you to check out a MacBook Air instead, since the Pro model is no longer in stock.

It’s your call whether to proceed with the purchase. But we advise you to stick with the item you want and not settle for a less attractive one.

Fake payment receipts

This is a classic Facebook Marketplace scam that buyers use on sellers. Such Facebook users share a screenshot or a fake receipt showing a successful payment. As a seller, you should not take anyone’s word for it and only ship a product after receiving a payment in your bank account or preferred platform.

Mouth-watering gifts

Source: Facebook

Facebook Marketplace is full of fake gifts that steal your personal data and confidential information like your birthday, address, office location, earnings details and more. If a giveaway only asks for your name and Facebook profile, fill in the details. However, some gifts may ask you to fill out a full form with confidential information. You should avoid such on-screen instructions.

Remittance by a buyer

This is another clever Facebook Marketplace scam that many sellers have fallen victim to. Here, the potential buyer overpays you, admits the mistake and asks you to return the remaining amount. Let’s say you agreed to sell your mechanical keyboard for $250. The buyer sends you $1,000 and asks you to return the remaining money.

Such buyers use fake checks or stolen credit cards to overcharge you. You should never ship products to such buyers as the check will eventually bounce in your bank account.

Move conversations out of Facebook

Sometimes a seller insists on moving to another platform for conversation. That way, you don’t have an official chat record and can’t use it as evidence if something goes wrong. You must always complete every part of your transaction within Facebook.

Also, opt for Facebook Checkout or PayPal to send payments as they offer purchase protection. Don’t use crypto or a platform like Venmo, Zelle or Cash App to make payments (even when the seller promises some discount or gift cards for using alternative means). You can also report dishonest sellers on Facebook.

Fake rental posting

Image source: Facebook and TFC

Not every rental listing on Facebook Marketplace is genuine. Some scammers may post fake rental properties (that they do not own or are not authorized to post) and ask interested parties to send an upfront payment as deposits or background check fees.

Only rent properties from reputable brokers or sellers. If possible, check the property in person or have it inspected by someone you know in the area.

Advance payment requests

Scammers take advantage of high-demand items and ask for advance payments to secure your purchase. A seller might ask you to send $200 in advance to keep the PlayStation 5 or the latest NVIDIA GPU. Chances are, the person is doing the same with dozens of other buyers and has no intention of sending the product to anyone. Your holiday shopping can turn into a nightmare.

Ask for confirmation codes

This is a dangerous Facebook Marketplace scam where the seller asks you to share the confirmation code (which you received as a text on your phone number) to confirm your identity, complete the purchase process, or for some other reason. You should never share a verification code with anyone. This is a phishing attempt, and the insiders can use it to set up a new Google Voice number to run more scams and gain access to your email or social media account.

Ask for car deposits

In addition to electronics and merchandise, Facebook Marketplace has become a popular place for selling used cars. Sometimes a seller may ask you to pay a small deposit in advance to confirm your purchase. Later, when you meet the seller in person, they may give you the wrong address and fly away with your hard-earned money.

You should not trust the big claims of a seller. Do your research before agreeing to buy the car. You should also request a vehicle history report from the Federal Trade Commission and schedule a car inspection before sending a deposit. Ignore the offer if a seller insists on making a small down payment.

Request unnecessary charges

You always only have to pay for the product and shipping costs. Avoid purchasing the product if a seller asks for insurance and other extra costs. Genuine sellers never ask for extra money. Sometimes a seller will send you a fake insurance receipt.

Positems

This is one of the popular scams on Facebook Marketplace. The seller never ships the product and shares a fake courier receipt. Stick with sellers you can meet and inspect the product in person. You should also check the seller’s profile before checking out their products. If it’s a new account without a profile picture, the person could be a scammer trying to make a few bucks on the platform.

False claims of lost packages

Some dishonest buyers falsely claim that they never received an item in the mail. Such scammers keep the product and ask for their money back. As a buyer, you should always use a reliable shipping method to ship your product. Keep a note of the tracking number so you know the status of the shipped item.

Counterfeit money

If you meet a buyer in person, they may try to scam you with counterfeit currency. Before completing the transaction, verify that the money is real. For your safety, always meet the seller in a public place.

Smart shopping on Facebook Marketplace

Scammers can take advantage of you on online marketplaces if you’re not careful. You can learn to spot common Facebook Marketplace scams to ensure you have a safe shopping experience. And if you have your own small business, use these tips to sell on Facebook Marketplace.