Selling a car on Facebook Marketplace can be a great way to get cash for your used vehicle. However, it does come with risks, as scammers often target Facebook Marketplace car sellers. Here are some tips on how to avoid getting scammed when selling your car on Facebook Marketplace:
Require buyers to see the car in person
The most important thing is to never complete a Facebook Marketplace car transaction without the buyer seeing the car in person first. Scammers will often try to buy cars sight unseen and convince you to ship the car to them. But legitimate buyers will always want to test drive and inspect the car before purchasing.
Require interested buyers to come see the car in person before any money changes hands. And don’t let them guilt or pressure you into skipping this crucial step. If they can’t meet up or make excuses, move on to other buyers.
Watch out for overpayments and fake checks
A common scam tactic is for the buyer to “accidentally” overpay with a fraudulent cashier’s check or money order. They’ll ask you to deposit it, keep some for the car, and wire back the rest. But once you send them money, the check bounces and you’re out whatever you wired.
Carefully inspect all checks and only accept cash or secure electronic payments like PayPal Goods and Services. If the buyer tries to overpay and have you wire money back, it’s almost certainly a scam.
Don’t fall for sob stories or urgency tactics
Scammers may try to get you emotionally invested in the sale with sob stories, like claiming they need the car urgently for a sick relative. Or they’ll say they’re making a long drive or trip to see the car, in hopes of pressuring you into skipping steps like test drives.
Stay impartial and stick to your process. Don’t let urgency or emotions rush you. And never agree to anything like holding the car or accepting a deposit until the buyer has seen the car.
Meet in a safe public place
When showing the car, only meet the buyer in a busy, public place like a bank parking lot. This keeps you safe and deters scammers. Never have strangers come to your home and be wary of meeting anywhere secluded or private.
You can also bring a friend or family member to accompany you when showing the car. Make it clear upfront where you are willing to meet a potential buyer.
Verify payment before releasing the car
Never release the car until you’ve received and verified legitimate payment in full. Confirm the money is in your account before signing over the title. If the buyer only pays with a check, wait several days for it to fully clear before signing over the title.
If the buyer seems reluctant about this process, that’s a red flag. A genuine buyer will understand waiting until payment clears.
Be wary of shipping requests
As mentioned before, any buyer who asks you to ship the car is almost certainly a scammer. Never agree to ship a Facebook Marketplace car. And think twice if they immediately suggest involving a “shipping company” or “escrow service” they know.
Trust your instincts
If anything about a potential buyer seems fishy or too good to be true, listen to your gut. The more they try to pressure or rush you, or convince you to veer from your safety process, the more vigilant you should be.
Protect yourself by cutting contact and blocking them at the first sign things feel off. There are plenty of legitimate buyers out there.
Conclusion
Selling on Facebook Marketplace comes with certain risks, but you can avoid most scams by following basic precautions. Insist on an in-person inspection before any money transfers, avoid overpayments and fake checks, and complete the sale only after you’ve received and confirmed real payment. Sticking to safe meeting places and following your instincts also helps keep you secure.
With some simple diligence, you can use Facebook Marketplace to sell your car smoothly and safely. Focus on local buyers who are willing to meet your requirements, and don’t let scammers pressure you into cutting corners or deviating from your safety process. That way, you can get fair value for your car without getting ripped off.
More Tips to Avoid Scams
Research buyers’ profiles
Review a potential buyer’s Facebook profile before meeting them or negotiating a sale. Look for signs it’s a real person, like multiple posts over time, friends who post on their timeline, etc. Fake profiles often have little activity.
Google their name and number
Search the buyer’s name and phone number to make sure they aren’t linked to any known scams. You can also do a reverse phone lookup. Be cautious if you find suspicious results.
Require ID at test drives
Ask to see a buyer’s driver’s license before allowing test drives, and take a photo of it. This adds security and deters scammers using fake identities.
Don’t disclose your address
When communicating on Facebook, don’t reveal your home address until you’ve met and vetted the buyer. Scammers can use this info maliciously.
Handle title transfer properly
Learn your state’s rules for legally transferring a title when selling privately. Don’t sign the title over until payment clears.
Trust others’ instincts too
If a family member or friend seems uneasy about a potential buyer, take their intuition seriously. They may notice red flags you don’t.
Meet at police stations
Many police stations have “safe exchange zones” for online sales. These are monitored 24/7 and deter criminal activity.
Don’t be desperate
The more desperate you seem to offload your car quickly, the more scammers will target you. Give yourself time and don’t sacrifice safety.