Eight major warnings for anyone using Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace allows users to buy and sell used items, with over a billion buyers each month. You can buy almost anything that is legal to sell – from TVs to wardrobes and even cars.

But be warned, along with the genuine bargain hunters, there are also some potential scammers looking to rip people off. When shopping on Facebook Marketplace, a spokesperson for the social media platform says, “Check out deals that seem too good to be true. Scammers may try to use lower-priced items to lure buyers into a scam.

“Don’t send deposits for high value items (apartments, cars, etc.) without first confirming they are real. When possible, try to confirm existence and ownership (for example, a pink ticket for a car) in person or via video chat before sending payments.

“Always check the tracking numbers you see on Marketplace on the shipping company’s website and make sure the shipping address and shipping information is correct.”

They added: “Eligible purchases made with checkout on Facebook are covered by Buy protection . Items exchanged in person using cash or other person-to-person payment methods are not eligible.

“When buying in person, before completing the transaction, inspect the items closely to ensure that: they are real (eg, authenticity check), are in expected condition (eg, new, used, etc.) and work as expected.”

To help you avoid being scammed, disinformation expert, Dan Ariely shared some of the most common Facebook Marketplace scams to watch out for.

1. Fake profile

Always review the seller’s profile to learn more about them – including when they first joined Facebook and how many other listings they have. Scammers will often only join in the last year and have more than 20 items listed.

On a seller’s profile, always check what ratings and reviews they have received from other buyers. You can also see investigate their other listings and examine their market activity.

2. Payment and overpayment scams

In this popular scam, thieves posing as buyers buy an item they might say they paid for, but actually didn’t. They could send a fake check, use a cashier’s payment method, or even claim to have overpaid and want some money back.

They might also try to use payment methods that can be easily canceled after you’ve posted the item, leaving you out of pocket. To prevent victimization, Dan suggests:

• Always check that you have the money before offering any refund
• Make sure the funds have been fully cleared in your account before posting anything
• Use payment methods that cannot be reversed after the sale

3. False returns

In this scam, the buyer claims they didn’t like or want the item after purchasing it. They will then ask you to return it for a full refund.

The scammer will keep the original item and never send it back, return a broken or different item, or even provide false tracking information to claim to have returned it. In any case, you lose if you make the refund before you receive the item back in the same condition.

To avoid this type of scam, Dan recommends that you always wait until you receive the item and inspect it before issuing a refund.

4. Real estate scams

Sometimes scammers will upload photos of a beautiful home for rent at a price too good to be true. Once you’ve signed what appears to be a proper lease or even sent some cash to “secure the deposit”, you may find someone else living there when you go there.

Scammers can list photos of houses or apartments they don’t own and “rent” them unseen. Dan advises against sending deposits for anything expensive (including apartment rentals) without first verifying that it’s real. If you can, always try to see the place in person before sending any payment.

5. The seller asks to be paid with gift cards

Gift card scams are becoming more common with online scams. Instead of paying a buyer through Facebook Marketplace or a payment app, scammers may ask you to purchase a gift card as payment.

For example, if an item a scammer is “selling” is £100, they will tell the buyer to put that money on a Visa gift card. They will then want the gift card number and PIN before shipping the item. The item in question may not be what the buyer intended to purchase, or they may not receive any item at all because it never existed.

Dan cautions against using gift cards because they are untraceable and non-refundable. That’s why scammers prefer to receive them as a form of payment.

6. Broken or questionable technological items

So you’ve just picked up a smart smart TV, phone or games console for a steal at £200 – but it’s rubbish. The listing said it was barely used, but when you met the seller in a public place and handed over the cash, you never had a chance to test it or plug it in to make sure it worked correct.

When you get home and realize it doesn’t work, chances are you won’t be able to find the seller on Facebook. Dan advises that it is best to turn on and test any electronic item before making any kind of payment.

7. Bait and switch scams

This type of scam involves the seller offering a fantastic product at a bargain price – much lower than you might expect. Seems too good to be true, right? Well, that’s because it probably is.

The seller has no intention of selling the advertised item. Once you’re hooked, they’ll pretend it’s gone, but they have a “similar” product you might like – at a higher price or much worse quality.

8. Immediate interest

Some “buyers” may ask for your number to arrange a meeting. This is a common trick to get the phone number.

They will then try to register a Google Voice number using your phone number. This sends a verification code to the phone, which they will claim is to “prove you’re real”.

In reality, that code unlocks the Google Voice number they just created, allowing them to scam others (and maybe even steal your identity). Dan says it’s best not to communicate outside of Facebook Marketplace.

How to protect yourself from Facebook Marketplace scams

Dan shared some quick tips on how to stay safe on Facebook Marketplace:

• Check the seller’s profile: Before making any transaction, take a close look at the seller’s profile, whether he has a decent profile with pictures, activity history and connections.
• Communicate only through Facebook Messenger: Stay on Facebook Messenger for all your conversations. Avoid sellers who try to switch to WhatsApp or email.
• Inspect the item before you buy: Before handing over the money, take a close look at the item. Make sure it exactly matches the seller’s description. If you’re buying something expensive, consider meeting somewhere where you can test drive it properly before you buy.
• Avoid prepayment requests: Never pay for something before it’s in your hands. Be wary of sellers who ask for deposits, especially if they are overseas or unable to meet in person.
• Check reviews and ratings: Some sellers on Facebook Marketplace have reviews. Although not guaranteed, good ones from other buyers can be a little reassuring. But be careful if there are no reviews or if the ones that are there seem a little off.
• Meeting in public places: Meet in a well-lit public, such as a coffee shop or park. Avoid suspicious streets and do not invite to your home or theirs. Bringing a friend along for company is also a smart move.
• Trust your instincts: If something isn’t right, trust your instincts and walk away. It’s better to miss out on a bargain than to be stung. Your safety is more important than any business.