Facebook Marketplace lets users buy and sell second-hand items and it boasts more than one billion shoppers each month. As well as shoppers, it attracts scammers who try and take advantage of people on the hunt for a bargain. Here, we outline the Facebook Marketplace scams to watch out for, and how to protect yourself.
You can buy pretty much anything it’s legal to sell – from televisions to wardrobes and even cars – on Facebook Marketplace. It works in a similar way to Vinted but anyone using it needs to arrange how to make or receive a payment and where to pick up, or send, the items that are bought or sold.
According to credit card company Capital One, up to1.2 billiononline shoppers buy something on Facebook Marketplace each month. Yet over a third of adverts could be scams, according to research from TSB. It says almost £60m was lost last year by UK households through scams on the platform.
If you use it, familiarising yourself with some of the site’s most common scams can ensure you don’t end up being a victim of fraud.
In this article, we cover:
- Common ways you get scammed on Facebook Marketplace
- How to know if a buyer is scamming you, and how to avoid it
- How to report a Facebook Marketplace scam
Read more: Scams to watch out for right now
Seven common ways you can get scammed on Facebook Marketplace
There are a number of different ways fraudsters can try to scam you via Facebook Marketplace, whether you are a buyer or a seller. Here are some of the most common:
1. Fake payment confirmations
Some scammers send fake emails that look like they’re from PayPal or other payment services, confirming that they’ve paid for the item you’re selling. In reality, no transfer has been made. Always double-check your account to confirm the money has actually been sent before handing over goods.
2. Counterfeit currency
For in-person transactions, some buyers might pay you with counterfeit money. Always check that cash is legitimate before finalising a transaction.
3. Rental scams
Here, a scammer will upload a listing for a rental property that isn’t available or simply doesn’t exist. The scammer may provide a link to a legitimate-looking but entirely fake site, which may even be a replica of a real site, such as Booking.com. You’ll then be asked to enter your payment details for a deposit or rent. The scammer will disappear after the payment is taken.
If you’re looking for rented accommodation on Facebook Marketplace, insist on seeing the accommodation in person. Verify the rental contract with a legal expert where possible before any money changes hands.
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4. Stolen goods
Many sellers attempt to sell stolen items on Facebook Marketplace. If you’re suspicious about the authenticity of something you’re buying, ask the seller for proof that it belongs to them, such as a receipt.
5. Attempts to steal your data
Scammers may attempt to steal your data in various nefarious ways. A phishing link might be sent for you to “verify your identity”, where you’ll be encouraged to provide sensitive information such as your date of birth and address.
Your data can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Scammers may choose to sell their victims’ data en masse or steal your identity – for example use your data to obtain credit cards or apply for government benefits in your name.
In the most extreme cases, scammers may come to your address to steal something significant from you, for example, there have been recent reports of car theft happening on Facebook Marketplace after scammers have pretended to be interested in buying a motor for sale, not showing up, ringing to apologise and asking to see the car again and pretending to be keen to buy it before obtaining the seller’s address.
It’s crucial that you remain vigilant when sharing any data online with parties you don’t fully trust.
6. The scammer tells you they’ll send a courier to collect the item
In this instance, the scammer will pretend to be a buyer interested in your item. They’ll tell you they can’t come in person to collect it, so will send a courier with a company such as DPD in their stead. They may even send you a link to a fake website or an inauthentic email.
The scammer will then ask you to pay for insurance for the safe delivery of the item. After you’ve entered your card details or made a payment, they’ll disappear.
7. Faulty or damaged items
Often, when buying something on Facebook Marketplace, the transaction will be conducted in a speedy manner. You might meet in a neutral place, exchange goods and cash, and that’s that.
However, buying an item in person isn’t like purchasing something from a shop. You’re unlikely to get the same purchase protection, or the ability to return something with a receipt if it’s faulty.
This means you should exercise greater caution when purchasing on Facebook Marketplace. Make sure you’ve spent enough time with the item you’re buying to work out if there are any issues with it before handing over cash. If there are, and the seller is long-gone, you’re unlikely to recover any funds.
This applies particular to pricier items such as electronics and bicycles. Make sure all the key functions work properly. Check online to see if there are any common issues with the item you’re buying, and ask the seller to inspect the item for these potential quirks.
Read more: Your rights on Vinted and other online marketplaces
How to know if a buyer is scamming you, and how to avoid it
There are multiple red flags that may indicate that you’re dealing with a scammer. Not all of these are necessarily guarantees that a seller or buyer is being disingenuous, but a sign to be careful.
1. It seems too good to be true
If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of items priced significantly lower than their market value. The pair of Airpods Pro you see being flogged for £40 may seem like a stroke of luck, but in reality they’re likely to be fake or stolen, if they exist at all.
2. Pressure tactics
Scammers often create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to make quick decisions without proper care. For example, they may tell you that they have lots of other buyers interested, and you’ll need to make a payment quickly to secure an item.
Always take your time to verify that the other party is genuine. It’s better to have lost out on a good deal than to have lost your money.
3. Unusual payment methods
Be cautious if a buyer insists on using obscure payment methods or suggests transactions outside Facebook’s recommended methods.
One of the latter is PayPal, which lets you pay anybody with a PayPal account using its “Goods and Services” function.
When you do so, you can specify exactly what you’re making a payment for. That way, if what you receive isn’t as described or you don’t receive anything at all, you can open a dispute with the payment provider. PayPal can then refund you your money following an investigation.
4. Incomplete profiles or suspicious locations
If a buyer’s or seller’s profile looks new, with no friends or photos, and minimal interaction, this could be a red flag.
An older profile with a substantial friend list and Facebook “likes” on their photos can be a good sign. This means the buyer or seller is willing to use a real account for a transaction, which means enhanced accountability if things go wrong.
It’s also worth checking where the Facebook user is based, by looking at their profile. If you can see they’re not based anywhere nearby, this could be an indication that you’re dealing with a scammer.
5. Refusing to meet face-to-face
For local sales, if a buyer or seller is reluctant to meet in person or suggests shipping an item that could easily be picked up, be cautious.
Read more: Ten scams to watch out for right now
How to report a Facebook Marketplace scam
- Report the listing. Find the specific Marketplace listing you want to report. Click on the “…” or “More Options” link, normally found at the top right of the post. From the drop down menu, select ‘Report this listing’ and then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Report the user. Go to the Facebook profile of the user you want to report. Click on the “…” or “More Options” link, usually under their cover photo. Select “Find support or report” and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Record all conversations. Before reporting a user or scam, make sure to save or screenshot any suspicious conversations or transactions. This can come in handy later on if Facebook or the police need more information.
- Contact the police. If you’re a victim of a scam, it’s essential to report it to your local police, especially if you’ve lost money or an item with substantial value. They may be able to recover your item or apprehend the perpetrator. You can do this online, via the Action Fraud website or by calling 0300 123 2040 (or 101 if you’re in Scotland).
- Submit feedback to Facebook. If you experience a scam or see a potential loophole that might be exploited by fraudsters, it’s always a good idea to provide feedback to Facebook. This helps them keep track of ongoing scams and improve their security measures.
For more information, check out Facebook’s official guidelines for staying safe while using Facebook Marketplace, so you can avoid scams. Subscribers to The Times can read more here: How to avoid holiday scams: from fake flights to bogus bookings
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