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Facebook Marketplace Red Flags
Scams, sketchy buyers, and listings to avoid. How to protect yourself.
🚩 Buyer red flags (for sellers)
Asks to pay with gift cards or wire transfer
No legitimate buyer ever needs to pay with iTunes cards or Western Union. This is always a scam.
Sends a "cashier's cheque" for more than the asking price
Classic overpayment scam. The cheque is fake; the "change" you wire back is real money you'll never recover.
Can't meet in person—always has an excuse
"I'm out of town" or "I'll send my assistant" are red flags. Local Marketplace is meant for local meetups.
Brand-new Facebook account
Accounts with no profile picture, no friends, and created recently are often throwaway scam accounts.
Agrees to price immediately without any questions
Not always a scam, but genuine buyers usually ask at least one question. Instant agreement on high-value items is worth noting.
🚩 Listing red flags (for buyers)
Price is dramatically below market value
If a $1,000 laptop is listed for $150 with no explanation, it's almost certainly a scam or stolen goods. If it seems too good to be true, it is.
Seller asks for payment before you see the item
Never pay before seeing and testing an item in person. No exceptions for local transactions.
Seller offers to ship and wants Venmo/Zelle first
If you pay before the item ships, you have no recourse if they disappear. Use Facebook Checkout or PayPal Goods & Services for shipped items—never friends & family.
Stock photos or watermarked images
Real sellers use photos of the actual item. Stock images or pulled-from-Google photos mean they likely don't have the item.
Reluctant to let you test items before buying
A legitimate seller has nothing to hide. If they rush you or won't let you plug in/turn on an item, be suspicious.
Common scams explained
The Overpayment Scam
Buyer "accidentally" overpays with a cheque/Venmo and asks you to send the difference. The original payment bounces or reverses; you lose the "change" you sent.
The Shipping Scam
Buyer or seller insists on shipping and uses a fake payment confirmation screenshot. Item never arrives or payment never clears.
The Fake Marketplace "Purchase Protection"
Scammer sends a fake Facebook email claiming you need to pay a fee to unlock "buyer protection." Facebook never asks for this.
If you think you've been scammed
- → Stop all communication immediately
- → Contact your bank if money was transferred
- → Report the user and listing to Facebook
- → Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov