Facebook Marketplace Scams To Avoid in 2024

In 2024, you should avoid several Facebook Marketplace scams, including those related to mobile payments, gift cards, stolen items and rental properties. Facebook Marketplace is part of Facebook and it allows you to buy or sell items from local individuals or small businesses. Since some Facebook Marketplace transactions occur online, there are various ways you could fall victim to these types of scams.

Continue reading to learn about the most common Facebook Marketplace scams and how to avoid being scammed while using Facebook Marketplace.

1. Venmo, Cash App and Zelle scams

Mobile payment apps, like Venmo, Cash App and Zelle, are only safe for sending and receiving money with people you know and trust. When you try to purchase an item on Facebook Marketplace, you may get scammed if the seller asks you to use these payment methods. Using these payment methods to make purchases from a scammer can lead to your credit card information being stolen, never receiving the item you bought or even having your Facebook account hacked. If you give up your personal information or send money through these mobile payment apps to a scammer, there is no guarantee that you will get your money back or that your identity will remain protected.

2. Advance deposit scams

If you are trying to buy an expensive item on Facebook Marketplace, a seller may ask you to send them an advance deposit. This scam may not be as obvious as others, since you might think it’s reasonable to put a deposit down to show your interest in an expensive item. However, Facebook Marketplace does not operate under the practice of requiring a deposit for anything. Almost all purchases on Facebook Marketplace are paid in full, without a deposit. If any seller demands you send them an advance deposit for an item you’re interested in, the seller could be trying to scam you, any money you send as a deposit may not be returned or you may never receive the item.

3. Gift card payment scams

On Facebook Marketplace, a seller might ask you to pay for an item using gift cards instead of sending them actual money. This is a sign that you are being scammed because if you send them the gift card, the scammer will receive free money and disappear. Gift card scams are dangerous because gift cards cannot be traced or refunded, so any money you put on a Visa gift card for a seller will be lost. For example, imagine you find an item worth $150 on Facebook Marketplace and inquire about it. The seller of this item asks you to put $150 on a Visa gift card and message them with the card number and PIN before they send you the item. However, once the seller has received the gift card number and PIN, they can take the money you put onto the gift card and disappear without a trace, leaving you with lost money and no item.

4. Wire transfer scams

Some scammers hope that you will send them money through a wire transfer, which allows you to move money directly from one bank account to another. When paying for an item on Facebook Marketplace, a seller might ask you to send them your payment through a wire transfer because they claim to live in another country. This could be a tactic to gain access to your bank account information and steal your identity. Wire transfer scams are especially dangerous because your personal information could be targeted by scammers to commit fraud or identity theft, and there is no guarantee you will recover your money once it’s been sent.

5. Fake or stolen items

Let’s pretend you’re looking to buy a new phone. You’d expect this item to cost close to $1,000, but you miraculously find it on Facebook Marketplace for a low price of $200. Since the phone is listed for such a low price, the seller may have either stolen the item themselves or is posting about an item that doesn’t actually exist. Unfortunately, these fake or stolen items are some of the most common scams that people fall for because everyone loves a good deal. If a seller seems to be in a hurry to sell the item quickly or continues to lower the price to get you to buy it, this is a sign that the seller is most likely trying to get rid of a stolen item. Remember that if an item is listed for an unreasonably low price, it is either not real or stolen, and you should not give the seller any of your personal information or money.

6. Faulty item scams

Scammers will intentionally sell items that they know are broken or don’t work correctly without informing you of these defects. In these faulty item scams, you might notice that a seller’s images on Facebook Marketplace look completely normal. However, a scammer might have uploaded pictures they found of the same item, perfectly intact, from the internet or from before the item broke. If a scammer cannot find the same item online to post a flawless picture on their listing, they may only post one or two angles of the item to hide any faults or broken pieces. Make sure to meet the seller in person to inspect the item before you purchase it to avoid falling for this type of Facebook Marketplace scam.

7. Bait-and-switch scams

On most online marketplaces like Facebook, you risk becoming a victim of a bait-and-switch scam, which occurs when an item is offered for a great price but isn’t actually being sold. This form of false advertising lures you into engaging with the seller, who may then tell you about a similar item they have that’s slightly more expensive than the one you originally wanted. However, the trick of this scam is that the original item was never available to begin with, as it most likely doesn’t exist. Bait-and-switch scams are common on Facebook Marketplace because scammers prey on your disappointment by offering you something you might want, despite the item you originally wanted not being available. In reality, these scams waste both your time and money, and you should avoid interacting with a seller if this happens to you.

8. Rental scams

When searching for an apartment or house to rent, you may find some surprisingly affordable rental rates on Facebook Marketplace. However, you need to do your research to verify that the property exists and is available. A scammer might attach a link to their listing that leads to a spoofed website, which appears almost identical to a legitimate website but instead collects your personal information without your knowledge. To make a deposit on a rental property, the spoofed website may ask for your payment details, but that information will instead go to the scammer who will steal your money and personal information. Make sure to ask to see a rental property in person before giving someone any of your personal information or money to avoid getting scammed.

How to avoid being scammed on Facebook Marketplace

Despite Facebook Marketplace scams being so common, there are several things you can do to avoid becoming a victim, both as a buyer and seller on the platform.

Use secure payment methods

You can avoid getting scammed on Facebook Marketplace if you use Facebook or PayPal to conduct payments since they have policies to protect you. Facebook offers Purchase Protection, which allows you to request a refund if you don’t receive your item. However, this only works if you pay for the item through Facebook. PayPal offers buyer and seller protection when using the Goods and Services option instead of the Friends and Family option. For anyone looking to buy something on Facebook Marketplace, using a secure payment method like Facebook or PayPal makes it easier for you to get your money back in case you are scammed.

Avoid shipping requests

As someone hoping to sell an item on Facebook Marketplace, you should avoid any requests that people have for you to ship the item to them. A scammer could claim that you never sent the item, even if you did, to try and get their money back. Ensure you get the payment you deserve by meeting the buyer in person and in a public place to prioritize your safety.

If you’re hoping to have an item shipped to you by a stranger on Facebook Marketplace, it’s also best to meet the seller in person and in a public place to verify that the item is legitimate. Meeting in a neutral area to receive your item also protects your privacy, as you would not have to give the seller your home address or other personal information.

Inspect the item thoroughly before payment

By meeting up with a seller from Facebook Marketplace, you ensure that the item you want to purchase is legitimate and as advertised. Thoroughly inspect the item you plan on purchasing to avoid falling for a faulty item scam. Look for any cracks, dents or other features that weren’t marked in the listing on Facebook Marketplace.

Verify the seller or buyer’s profile

Before meeting a buyer or seller from Facebook Marketplace in person, make sure to double-check that their Facebook profile is legitimate. Verify that their profile is active and has a history of photos, videos, posts and other listings to prove that they are more trustworthy than a random stranger. If a buyer or seller’s profile shows that they haven’t posted in years and have fewer than five friends on the app, this is a sign they are suspicious and could potentially scam you.

Check for reviews and ratings

Every buyer and seller on Facebook Marketplace has a section showing any reviews they’ve received from previous buyers and sellers. If you notice that someone has consistently negative reviews or no reviews at all, you should be cautious that the person might be scamming you if you’re interested in buying or selling with them. When a seller has no history of selling other items, this should also be concerning as a buyer because you don’t know if the seller is legitimate or trustworthy. Positive reviews indicate that others have bought or sold with a specific person on Facebook Marketplace before, which boosts their credibility for your transaction.

Only communicate through Facebook Messenger

Communicating outside of Facebook Messenger when trying to buy or sell an item on Facebook Marketplace can lead to your personal information being stolen and used against you in cyber attacks or phishing scams. Be wary of any buyer or seller on Facebook Marketplace who asks for your phone number or email address to communicate outside of Facebook’s platform. This is a sign that you are interacting with a scammer, so it’s safest to end all communication, even on Facebook Messenger.

Stay safe against Facebook Marketplace scams

Facebook Marketplace scams are becoming more creative and common, with a variety of ways scammers can trick you into sending money or personal information. Make sure you protect your online information by using secure payment methods and only communicating through Facebook Messenger while buying or selling on Facebook Marketplace.