Facebook Marketplace is a convenient platform for buying and selling items locally. However, like any online marketplace, it can be abused by scammers trying to take advantage of unsuspecting users. If you come across a scam or suspicious seller on Facebook Marketplace, it’s important to know how to properly report them to protect yourself and others.
How to Spot a Scam on Facebook Marketplace
Here are some common red flags that may indicate a Facebook Marketplace seller is trying to scam you:
- The price is dramatically lower than normal – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- The seller insists on only communicating outside of Facebook Messenger and wants you to pay using unusual methods like gift cards, wire transfers, etc.
- You are asked to pay before receiving the item or seeing it in person.
- The seller has a brand new Facebook account with no friends or reviews.
- The photos appear stolen or taken from other listings online.
- You cannot find any information about the seller’s business outside of Facebook.
- The seller does not provide specific contact information or refuses to speak over the phone.
- The listing contains spelling and grammar errors.
- The seller pushes you to buy quickly and claims the item is highly in-demand.
Trust your instincts – if an offer seems suspicious, it’s best to avoid it. A legit seller will happily provide more info and be transparent in their dealings.
How to Report a Scam on Facebook Marketplace
If you come across a scam listing or encounter a shady seller, here are the steps to properly report them on Facebook Marketplace:
- Open the listing you want to report and click the three dots in the top right corner.
- Select “Report this listing” from the dropdown menu.
- Choose “Prohibited goods or services” as the reason for reporting.
- In the details box, explain why you feel this is a scam listing.
- Provide any screenshots or details you have about your interaction with the seller.
- Click “Submit” to send your report to Facebook for review.
You can also report a Facebook Marketplace seller directly from their profile:
- Go to the seller’s profile page and click the three dots next to their name.
- Select “Report” from the dropdown menu.
- Choose “Scam” as the reason for your report.
- Add any relevant details about why you feel this seller is scamming people.
- Click “Submit” to send the report.
Make your report as detailed as possible to help Facebook investigate and take action faster. Provide screenshots of your conversation if the seller said or did anything suspicious.
What Happens After You Report a Scam
Once you submit a scam report on Facebook Marketplace, here’s what happens:
- Facebook will review your report to determine if it violates their Commerce Policies.
- They may disable the listing and/or profile if they find evidence of a scam.
- If they can confirm it is fraudulent, the seller will be permanently banned from buying or selling on Facebook Marketplace.
- For privacy reasons, they do not share details of their investigation or actions taken against the seller.
- You will receive an email confirming your report was received but no further updates.
Facebook relies heavily on user reports to detect scams, so your information helps keep their marketplace secure. However, it can take some time for them to fully investigate and remove fraudulent sellers.
How to Avoid Scams on Facebook Marketplace
Here are some tips to safely buy and sell on Facebook Marketplace:
- Vet each seller – Check their profile for reviews and activity. Only deal with established accounts.
- Ask for more photos – Request additional images to confirm the seller has the item.
- Talk first – Have a video call or speak on the phone before meeting in person.
- Meet in a public place – Choose a busy, well-lit spot to exchange items.
- Pay upon delivery – Only hand over money after checking the item is as advertised.
- Use Facebook Pay – This offers purchase protection and identifies the seller.
- Trust your instincts – If you feel uneasy, walk away from any sale.
With proper precautions, Facebook Marketplace can be used safely. Report any suspicious behavior to keep it protected.
What to Do If You’re Scammed on Facebook Marketplace
If you already lost money or sent payment to a scammer on Facebook Marketplace, take these steps:
- Report it to Facebook – File a scam report on the listing and seller’s profile.
- Notify your bank – If you paid by debit/credit card or bank transfer, contact them immediately.
- Report it to authorities – File a complaint with the FTC and your local law enforcement.
- Change passwords – If you shared sensitive login info, update your passwords.
- Watch for identity theft – Monitor your accounts closely for any suspicious activity.
- Warn others – Politely spread the word about the scam on Facebook to prevent more victims.
- Be more cautious – Learn from this experience to improve your shopping safety.
If caught early, you may be able to recover lost money by reporting it quickly to Facebook and your bank. But be prepared that funds sent to scammers are difficult to retrieve.
Can You Get Banned from Facebook Marketplace?
Yes, it is possible to get banned from buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace. This usually happens if you violate Facebook’s Commerce Policies repeatedly. Here are some examples of behavior that can lead to a Facebook Marketplace ban:
- Selling prohibited, dangerous, or illegal items
- Scamming buyers out of money
- Not shipping items that were purchased
- Providing fake tracking information
- Selling counterfeit or unauthorized replicas
- Using an unauthorized third-party payment provider
- Multiple customer complaints about your business
- Harassing buyers or sellers
Facebook has zero tolerance for any kind of fraudulent behavior on their platform. A single scam attempt or policy violation can result in an immediate permanent ban from Marketplace.
You may receive a warning first for minor infractions before getting banned. But Facebook can skip warnings and ban first-time offenders in severe cases. Marketplace bans restrict you from buying, selling, messaging, and advertising.
To appeal a Facebook Marketplace ban, you must submit information proving you did not violate policies. However, overturned bans are very rare.
Other Ways to Report Facebook Scams
If you encounter a scam elsewhere on Facebook, such as on ads, posts, or Pages, here are ways to report it:
- Misleading ads – Click the three dots in the ad and select “Report ad.”
- Fake posts/news – Click the three dots above the post and select “Find support or report post.”
- Phishing Pages – Go to the Page, click the three dots next to “Like”, and choose “Report Page.”
- Imposter accounts – Click the three dots next to their name or profile picture and select “Report.”
You can also report suspicious messages by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM). This alerts Facebook’s security systems.
Stay Vigilant Against Facebook Scams
Scammers flock to Facebook because that’s where the people are. But staying vigilant and reporting shady behavior disrupts their activities. Trust your instincts, avoid offers that seem too good to be true, and be cautious when contacted out of the blue. With proper precautions, you can use Facebook safely and avoid falling victim to scams.