9 Sneaky Facebook Marketplace Scams That Are Way Too Easy To Fall For

In most cases, Facebook Marketplace transactions go smoothly. 

However, scammers sometimes lurk on the popular website marketplace platform. Knowing how they operate can help reduce your stress about losing money when shopping.

Being aware of the following scams when shopping on Facebook Marketplace.

Sometimes, a deal is actually too good to be true.

In some cases, a person might legitimately list an item at a very low price in order to get rid of it quickly. But in other situations, they could be listing it at a low cost just to get your money.

This risk is higher if the seller is shipping the item to you rather than meeting you in person. They can take the money, only to walk away without giving you the product.

Taking advantage of deals is great, but be cautious of unusually low prices. This can help you avoid throwing money away.

You might find the perfect product you’ve been looking for, only to discover it’s already been sold. Normally, this is just part of the luck involved when buying from Facebook Marketplace.

However, you should worry if the seller then tries to sell you a different — and more expensive — option. It might be a sign that the product you wanted was never available and was just a way for the seller to lure you in and scam you.

Facebook Marketplace can be a good place to get a used, more affordable phone or television. But an item could be cheaper on Facebook Marketplace than at a retail location because it won’t work for long or won’t work at all.

Before you buy, confirm that what you’re getting is in working condition. Test it at the meetup.

If a seller asks you to move a conversation to texting, decline. The service is connected to Facebook Messenger for a reason.

Crafty fraudsters might ask you to send a code to proceed with your transaction. They can then use that code as part of a two-factor authentication ploy to get into your personal accounts.

A shifty seller might ask you to send either some or all of the cash to pay for an item before they get it to you.

This could be a way for them to take your money and not give you anything in return. With Facebook Marketplace, it’s probably best to meet with the seller and have the item in hand before you pay.

Facebook Marketplace also can help you find a short-term or long-term rental property, such as a vacation home or an apartment.

Before you commit to it, confirm that the place is available to rent. Request a tour and ask to meet the property owner at the home.

Scammers might list apartments or vacation homes for rent on Facebook Marketplace that they’re not in a position to rent out.

You may be excited to buy a new purse or expensive gaming system from a buyer on Facebook Marketplace.

However, you should always ask for additional information to confirm an item’s authenticity. When retrieving the item, give it a good look and test it. The scammer may be charging you for a counterfeit item.

It is a red flag if you’re trying to purchase an item and the seller asks you to pay with gift cards.

If you realize later that something has gone amiss with the transaction or the item you are buying, the scammer likely will have already used the gift cards, and you will be out of luck.

A Facebook account that doesn’t have a profile picture or any posting history should raise red flags. The same can be said for a profile picture that isn’t of the person themselves.

Be cautious before engaging with a Facebook profile that looks like it could be a scam. Trust your instincts here.

If you want to keep more money in your wallet, you can find some great deals on Facebook Marketplace. Just be careful you don’t lose cash in the process.

Shop or sell carefully on the site. Contact sellers during the process to make sure everything runs smoothly, and don’t be afraid to call off a transaction if there are red flags that concern you.