Facebook Marketplace has exploded in popularity in recent years as a platform to buy and sell both new and used items. With over 1 billion monthly active Facebook users, Marketplace gives sellers access to a massive audience of potential buyers. As a buyer, Marketplace opens up a world of deals on everything from furniture and cars to clothing and electronics. But while there are certainly great deals to be found, there are also risks when buying from individuals you don’t know. Here’s what you need to know to buy safely and avoid scams on Facebook Marketplace.
Do Your Research on the Seller
While Facebook requires users to have an authentic profile to use Marketplace, that doesn’t mean every seller has good intentions. Do some digging before meeting up or sending money:
- Click on the seller’s profile and look for signs it’s a real person, not a fake account. Look at their friends list, photos, and past posts.
- Check that the seller has had the account for a while. Scammers often create new accounts.
- See if you have any friends in common with the seller.
- Look for reviews of the seller on their profile from past buyers.
If the seller’s profile seems suspicious or lacks much personal detail, that’s a red flag to proceed with caution or avoid that buyer entirely.
Insist on Seeing the Item in Person
With craigslist and even eBay, you often have some buyer protection if the item arrives broken or misrepresented. But with Facebook sales, it’s buyer beware. Don’t hand over any money until you have inspected the item in person:
- Meet in a public place like a coffee shop parking lot, not at the seller’s home.
- Thoroughly inspect the item, testing all functions.
- Bring along someone you trust for a second opinion if it’s a big ticket purchase.
- Only pay cash upon receipt after accepting the item.
Skip sellers who insist on shipping the item or won’t let you inspect it before paying. Not being able to see it in person makes it far more likely you’ll end up with a broken or fraudulent item.
Watch Out for Sob Stories and Unusual Payment Requests
Scammers will often use convincing sob stories or unusual payment requests to take advantage of kindhearted buyers:
- Seller has an urgent need for cash due to medical bills, car repairs, etc. and asks you to pay before seeing the item.
- Seller asks you to pay by wire transfer, prepaid card, Venmo, PayPal Friends and Family, or other non-reversible methods instead of cash.
- Seller claims they need to use a proxy like eBay Motors or Amazon because they’re out of the country. This is a common scam tactic.
Don’t get manipulated. Insist on cash payment in person or walk away.
Ask Questions If Something Seems Off
Questions to ask if the listing seems suspicious:
- Why are you selling this item?
- Have you sold anything else on Marketplace before?
- Do you have the original packaging and manuals?
- Does the item have any damage or defects?
Their answers can help determine if the seller is upfront or hiding something. Also reverse image search the photos to make sure they aren’t pulled from somewhere else online.
Be Wary of Great Deals
While there are bargains to be found, be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true:
- New in box electronics or tools selling for a fraction of retail price.
- High-end furniture in great condition listed for cheap.
- In demand items like gaming consoles going for well under market value.
Ask yourself: why is this person undervaluing their items so much? It often indicates the item is broken, fake, or the seller doesn’t actually have it in their possession.
Search the Item’s Serial Number
For electronics, appliances, bicycles and other items with a serial number, search online to see if it’s been reported lost or stolen. This gives you protection in case the police track it down later as a stolen item.
Use Caution When Meeting Strangers
When meeting someone for the first time:
- Don’t go alone and avoid their home. Meet in a public place.
- Tell a friend where you are going and when you expect to be back.
- Bring your charged cellphone to call for help if needed.
- Only take cash you intend to use and leave valuables like jewelry at home.
- Trust your instincts – if it feels unsafe, don’t hesitate to reschedule or cancel.
Consider Payment Method Carefully
How you pay also determines if you can recover your money if there’s an issue down the line:
| Payment Method | Buyer Protection? |
|---|---|
| Cash | No |
| Credit Card | Yes, do a chargeback if item is misrepresented |
| Check | No |
| Venmo, Zelle, Paypal Friends & Family | No |
| PayPal Goods & Services | Yes, can file dispute |
For high value purchases, a credit card is safest so you can dispute if needed. Otherwise pay cash upon inspection.
Don’t Provide Personal Information
To avoid fraud or identity theft, don’t give the seller any sensitive personal information like:
- Your social security number
- Bank account and routing details
- Full credit card number before purchase
- Your driver’s license number
- Personal email or home address
A legitimate seller needs none of that to complete a Facebook Marketplace transaction. Share that information and you could find yourself the victim of a scam.
Report Suspicious Behavior
If a seller seems dishonest or you believe you’ve been the victim of fraud, report them to Facebook immediately. This helps remove bad actors from Marketplace:
- On desktop, click the three dots in the top right corner of their listing or profile and select “Report”.
- On mobile, tap the three dots or swipe left on their item and choose “Report”.
- Select the issue type like “misleading or fraudulent” and add details.
Always Get a Receipt
Having a receipt validates you purchased an item if any issues come up later. Make sure to get one with:
- Seller’s name and contact info
- Item description and price paid
- Date of sale
- Signature of seller (if possible)
This provides proof of your transaction in case you need to take legal action down the road.
Conclusion
Facebook Marketplace is a treasure trove for secondhand finds and discounted items. But you also have to be savvy when dealing with strangers online. Do your homework on sellers, insist on examining items in person before money changes hands, and say no to high-pressure sales tactics. Pay via credit card or PayPal when possible for buyer protection. And don’t hesitate to report shady behavior. Following these tips will help you score fantastic deals with less risk on Facebook Marketplace.