Facebook Marketplace Scams To Avoid in 2026

Updated on January 2, 2026.

Facebook Marketplace scams are becoming more creative and common, making it important for everyone who uses the platform to understand the most common scams targeting buyers and sellers. We’ve seen an increase in Zelle, Venmo and Cash App scams, gift card payment scams, advanced payment scams and rental scams. 

In this article, we’ll go over the most common Facebook Marketplace scams and provide you with tips on how you can protect yourself. 

1. Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App scams

Mobile payment apps, like Zelle, Venmo and Cash App are only safe for sending and receiving money with people you know and trust. Scammers often use these platforms to trick you into sending money for items that don’t exist or are misrepresented. Once the payment is made, it is typically irreversible because these apps lack buyer protection. 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.

How to avoid this scam

Use Meta Pay or PayPal to conduct online payments. Meta Pay offers a reliable, built-in payment system that securely links your payment methods to your account without sharing your details directly with others. It also includes Purchase Protection, allowing you to request a refund if you don’t receive your item. Keep in mind that this only works if you pay for the item through Facebook.

PayPal, when used with the Goods and Services option, provides buyer and seller protection, which allows you to dispute charges if the item isn’t as described. Using a secure payment method like Meta Pay or PayPal makes it easier to get your money back if you’re scammed.

2. Advanced payments

If you are trying to buy an expensive item on Facebook Marketplace, a seller may ask you to send them an advanced 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.

How to avoid this scam

If any seller demands that you send them an advanced deposit for an item you’re interested in, do not engage or proceed with the transaction. It is most likely a scam and 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. 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. Let’s say you find an item worth $150 on Facebook Marketplace and inquire about it. The seller of the item asks you to put $150 on a Visa gift card and message them with the card number and PIN before giving 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.

How to avoid this scam

Never pay for an item using a gift card or share gift card details with anyone. If you’re asked to pay with gift cards, report the listing immediately. Only use secure payment methods with buyer protection like Meta Pay and PayPal.

4. Overpayment scams

An overpayment scam happens when a buyer intentionally sends more money than the agreed-upon price for an item and then requests you to refund the excess amount. Although sending the money back seems like the right thing to do, this is all part of the scam. Scammers who overpay often use stolen debit or credit cards which means the original payment will be claimed fraudulent and reversed later, leaving you without the item and the money you refunded. 

How to avoid this scam

If you are selling an item, do not accept any payment that is more than the agreed-upon selling price. Once you have received payment, always ensure it’s fully confirmed and not marked as pending or under review before shipping or handing over the item.

5. Google voice verification scam

In this scam, a scammer might ask you to provide a phone number to “verify” that your Facebook Marketplace listing is real. Once you’ve shared your phone number, the scammer will then send a Google Voice verification code to your phone and ask you to share it with them. By doing so, the scammer can link your phone number to a Google Voice account under their control. Google Voice allows users to create a secondary phone number that can be used for calls and texts, which allows scammers to hide their real identity. With this access, scammers can use it to create fake accounts, scam others, conduct illegal transactions and even bypass security measures on other platforms. 

How to avoid this scam

Always keep conversations within Facebook Messenger and never give your phone number to anyone on Facebook Marketplace. If someone is asking to communicate outside of Facebook Messenger, the safest thing to do is end all communication because it could be a sign you’re interacting with a scammer.

6. Shipping scams

In a shipping scam, the seller will ask the buyer to pay for the item upfront or cover the shipping costs before the item is shipped. The scammer promises that the item will be sent as soon as the payment is received but once the payment is made, the buyer is left empty-handed as the item never existed in the first place or was never intended to be shipped. 

How to avoid this scam

It’s best to pick up items in person rather than shipping them or having them shipped to you. Just make sure to choose a public location. Never have a seller or buyer meet you at your home address. If meeting in person is not possible, request detailed photos and videos of the item before purchasing and verify the tracking number for the shipment.

7. Fake or stolen items

If a seller is listing a high-value item at an unusually low price, the item is likely counterfeit or stolen. Unfortunately, these fake or stolen items are some of the most common scams that people fall for because everyone loves a good deal. A seller may also create a sense of urgency, seeming to be in a hurry to sell the item quickly or lowering the price to pressure you into making a purchase. This is a tell-tale sign that they’re trying to get rid of a stolen item before they get caught.

How to avoid this scam

Always research the price of the item beforehand and compare it to the listing on Facebook Marketplace. If there is a significant difference in pricing, especially if the price seems too good to be true, trust your instinct and proceed with caution. Additionally, make sure to check the seller’s reviews and ratings. Reputable sellers will have positive, recent reviews from previous buyers, while sellers with no reviews or negative reviews may be trying to scam you.

8. 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 this type of scam, the seller’s images may look normal, but they could be using images found online or from before the item broke. And if a scammer cannot find a perfect image of the same item online, they may only post a few angles of the item to hide any faults or broken pieces. 

How to avoid this scam

If you’re able to, meet the seller in person to inspect the item before purchasing. If you can’t meet the seller in person, ask them to send you a video of the item from all angles and, if applicable, a video of them using it to ensure it works.

9. Bait-and-switch scams

On most online marketplaces, you risk becoming a victim of a bait-and-switch scam, which occurs when an item is advertised at a great price but isn’t actually being sold. This form of false advertising lures you into engaging with the seller, who may then try to switch the buyer’s attention to a similar item that is either more expensive or lower quality than the one originally advertised. 

How to avoid this scam

If the deal seems to be too good to be true or if the seller tries to push you towards a different item, steer clear and report the listing. Make sure the price and product are clearly listed, and verify the details of the item before committing to a purchase.

10. Rental scams

When searching for an apartment or house to rent, you may find some surprisingly affordable rental rates on Facebook Marketplace. However, 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 entering your information could mean that you’re essentially handing your money to a scammer.

How to avoid this scam

Make sure to research and verify that the property exists and is available. Also, take a look at the seller’s profile to see if they’re a legitimate realtor. Never pay anyone listing a place for rent a “security deposit” or “viewing fee,” because these listings are most likely scams.

Stay safe against Facebook Marketplace scams

Facebook Marketplace is a popular and convenient place to buy and sell items, but it’s also becoming a hot spot for scammers. To protect yourself from these common scams, make sure you take precautions by only communicating through Facebook Messenger, using secure payment methods, picking up items in a public place and verifying the legitimacy of the listing.