12 Tips To Avoid Facebook Marketplace Scams In 2024

Facebook Marketplace is an amazing platform for sellers to make a buck off once-loved goods and for buyers to score great deals. However, it's a hot spot for scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting users.

In this blog, we'll share 12 tips to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams in 2024. With these strategies in mind, you'll be able to use Facebook Marketplace while staying one step ahead of the scammers.

1. Research the Seller/Buyer

Always check the profile of the person you're interacting with. Look for reviews, ratings, other listings, or an active history on Facebook.

When conducting research, be wary of:

2. Be Knowledgeable About Common Scams

3. Use Secure Payment Methods

Scammers often exploit digital payment platforms that lack protections for buyers and sellers. Peer-to-peer payment apps such as Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle are examples of this.

Stick to platforms that offer dispute resolution and fraud protection, such as PayPal Goods and Services. Another solid option is good ol' cash.

Here are some tell-tale signs, you might be dealing with a scammer:

4. Be Wary of Time Pressure

Urgency. A powerful psychological tool used in most scams, be it online or in person. Scammers on Facebook Marketplace often apply time pressure to rush you into making a decision without properly evaluating the transaction.

Be on the lookout for the following red flags:

5. Meet In A Safe Location

Meeting in a safe location is absolutely non-negotiable. This tip protects both parties from potential scams or personal harm. Scammers will often use secluded locations to create high-pressure situations. Always choose a public or secure location to transact.

Here's how you will know something is not right when arranging to meet up.

6. Inspect Before Buying

Thoroughly inspecting an item before buying it is one of the easiest ways to dodge a scam and avoid wasting your hard-earned money. Scammers will use fake or misleading photos and vague descriptions and hope you don’t notice the red flags until it’s too late. Legit sellers, on the other hand, will usually provide clear, honest details about their stuff because they have nothing to hide.

If you’re meeting the seller in person, pay attention to how they act. A legit seller is usually relaxed about you checking out the item in detail. Scammers, however, may try to use tactics like time pressure to avoid giving you the opportunity to thoroughly check the item out. Don't fall for it! Take your time, look for wear and tear, make sure it matches the description, and for electronics or things that "go", turn it on and test it out! Don’t forget to ask questions about the item. Legit sellers are happy to chat, but scammers might stumble over their own story.

Finally, if you're unable to check it out in person, you need to be extra careful. Legit sellers will usually be happy to send you extra photos and provide more details about the item. Always use a secure payment platform with buyer protection so you’re covered if something goes wrong, and skip any seller who’s pushing for odd payment methods.

7. Spotting Deals That Are Too Good to Be True

Next time you're on Facebook Marketplace and stumble on a deal so amazing you would be a fool to miss the opportunity to buy it, hit pause. Scammers use this adrenaline rush to bypass rational thinking. The promise of saving big or snagging a rare item can cloud our judgment, making us more likely to act impulsively.

These tactics work because they create a sense of urgency. They make you feel like someone else will snatch it up if you don’t act fast. Next time you spot a deal that gets your heart racing, take a closer look for these red flags:

8. Verify High-Value Items

Many people purchase high-value items like tech, jewelry, or vehicles on Facebook Marketplace, and the savings can be huge. When you find just what you've been looking for at a reasonable price, it can feel like you've just hit the Marketplace jackpot. However, scammers know this too and often target buyers of expensive goods by using fake listings or misrepresenting the item’s condition.

Why does this work? Scammers rely on the excitement of a great deal and your eagerness to get the item quickly. By skipping the verification steps, you risk paying big money for fake, stolen, or misrepresented items.

Red flags to watch out for include:

9. Use Facebook Messenger To Communicate

One of the simplest ways to protect yourself on Facebook Marketplace is to keep all communication within the Facebook Messenger app. While many scams can still occur on Messenger, the conversation is tied to a profile, which adds a layer of accountability.

Scammers often try to move the conversation to another platform like WhatsApp, SMS, or email. On these platforms, scammers have free rein without needing to worry about their accounts being flagged.

Here are some common techniques scammers use to move you away from Facebook Messenger:

10. Avoid Oversharing

When chatting with buyers or sellers on Facebook Marketplace, it’s easy to get caught up in the conversation, but sharing too much personal information can put you at risk.

Oversharing gives scammers ammunition to exploit you, whether it’s through identity theft, account hacking, phishing, vishing, or other forms of fraud. Even seemingly harmless details, like your phone number or email address, can be used to target you outside Facebook

11. Do A Reverse Image Search

If something about an image in a Marketplace listing feels off, a reverse image search can help to detect reused images online. Scammers often grab photos from other websites or listings to make their fake items look real. Here's how to do a reverse image search.

• 1

  Take a Screenshot:

  Snap a quick screenshot of the listing image on your device.

• 2

  Upload It to TinEye or Google Lens:

  Head to TinEye or use Google Lens. On Google, simply click the camera icon in the search bar, then upload your screenshot.

• 3

  Review the Results:

  Images of second-hand items for sale should be unique. If the exact image appears on other websites, this a huge red flag.

12. Do Your Part And Report Scams

If you do spot a scam, report it! By taking a moment to flag suspicious activity, you’re helping make Facebook Marketplace safer for everyone. Plus, you'll be satisfied knowing you’ve struck back against scammers.

Facebook provides a detailed guide on how to report a listing across different devices. You can find it on the Facebook Help Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important tip to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams?

The most important tip is to thoroughly research the seller or buyer before completing any transactions. If their profile lacks reviews, has negative feedback, shows no previous listings, or demonstrates a lack of activity history, you should steer clear.

What is the best payment method on Facebook Marketplace?

If you're meeting in person, cash is king. If you're doing an online transaction, the safest payment methods are those that offer buyer and seller protections, such as PayPal Goods and Services. Avoid using peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle as these platforms are preferred by scammers due to their lack of safeguards.

How to buy something on Facebook Marketplace without getting scammed?

To avoid getting scammed, trust your instincts. If something feels off, it's better to walk away. Scams often have common red flags, such as unrealistically low prices, pressure tactics, suspicious profiles with minimal activity or recent creation dates, and sellers who make excuses to avoid in-person meetings or insist on using unusual payment methods.