We recently received this message from one of our readers, Mike D. from Conover, NC, about some Facebook Marketplace scams he says he’s come across and wants others to know about. Here’s what he has to say.
“Hi Kurt:
I broke a few Facebook market scams in recent years. We were looking for a boat a few years ago. We finally bought one, but before we did, I came across a really nice pontoon boat that was way underpriced.
The story of the “lady” was that her husband had died and she was moving to another state to live with her in-laws or parents. So when I contacted her I got an email saying I was going to get a payment email from Ebay as she had already moved.
Of course, the red flags went up. But after some research, apparently Ebay will do some fulfillment exercises. When I got the email, of course they wanted payment via eBay gift card, Walmart gift card, etc. Hmmm…I think they reckon most people won’t be looking further than 50 miles.
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Facebook Marketplace on an iPad (Cyberguy.com)
I’ve since caught a few people doing this with boats, jeeps, p/u trucks, etc. Do an image search and when you see the same image popping up in different cities, sometimes in multiple states, you have a scammer. I report them and sometimes I’ll even hire them to tell them what thugs they are.” — Mike D., Conover, North Carolina
We appreciate Mike telling us about these red flags. Since many scams occur on Facebook Marketplace, it’s always a good idea to keep a watchful eye and report any posts that seem suspicious, even if you’re not dealing directly with the person. Here are some red flags to watch out for.
Red flags to watch out for on Facebook Marketplace
1) Check the person’s Facebook profile
A big red flag that someone might be a scammer is if they don’t have many friends, photos, or posts on their profile page. You should also check if this person has recently joined Facebook or if they have been on the platform for a while. The longer the profile has been in place and the more messages the person has, the more likely it is a real person and not a scammer.
Also, look for any unusual or inconsistent information in their profile, such as conflicting details about their location or personal background. Scammers may try to deceive by providing inconsistent information. Paying attention to these details can help you make a more informed decision before engaging in transactions with them. You should pretty much be able to get an idea of who this person is from their profile before you agree to sell or buy anything from them.
2) Asked to pay as a gift card
As you can see from Mike’s post above, a common trick scammers might try to use on the Facebook Marketplace is to ask people to pay in the form of a gift card. This is a classic method that scammers use all the time, even outside of Facebook Marketplace.
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The reason they want people to pay with gift cards is that gift cards are not trackable. If you pay someone in the form of a gift card and later find out it’s a scam, it’s next to impossible for a bank or credit card company to help you get that money back.
At least with a debit or credit card, the bank or credit card company can trace where that fraudulent payment was made and help you refund the money. The same cannot be done with a gift card.
Facebook Marketplace (Cyberguy.com)
It’s like giving free money to a complete stranger. Anyone who asks to be paid with a gift card is a scammer. Now, in addition to paying in gift cards, here are some other red flags you can watch out for on Facebook Marketplace.
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3) Multiple posts from the same article
This is another major red flag. A scammer often gets their hands on an item and tries to place lots of ads about it in different parts of the country. This is common with fake apartment and house rental ads.
Why do scammers often get away with using multiple posts of the same article?
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Because many people have a distance limit on how far they are willing to shop for an item. Many won’t think to check if the same item is on sale in another part of the country. Try broadening your search when you find an item you want to buy and see if you notice any repeats of the same item. If you see the same story somewhere else, the item for sale is probably a scam and you should report it to Facebook.
4) Some of the manipulation tactics used by scammers
Earning people’s sympathy and trust: Often scammers try to disguise themselves as innocent and even helpless people to gain sympathy and trust. They might have their profile pictures of an older woman or a mother with a child. In Mike’s case, they can even add a gory story, like “My husband died, and now I have to sell this item.”
Build trust and reduce suspicion: By posing as innocent and vulnerable individuals, scammers aim to disarm you emotionally. When someone seems to be in distress or facing a difficult situation, our natural inclination is to help and support them. This sympathetic response can let your guard down and make you more susceptible to the scammer’s scheme.
Try using both Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp to see which gives you the best selling experience, or try a different site. (CyberGuy.com)
Create a sense of urgency: Gory stories involving tragedy or hardship are often accompanied by a sense of urgency. The scammer might claim they need to sell the item quickly due to financial hardship or an impending move. This urgency can lead you to make hasty decisions without properly verifying the authenticity of the situation or the legitimacy of the offer.
Obtaining personal information: Appearing friendly and trustworthy is an effective way for scammers to persuade you to reveal personal information. The more emotionally invested you are in helping the scammer, the more likely you are to share sensitive details which can then be used for identity theft or other fraudulent purposes.
Guilt and emotional manipulation: Some scammers go beyond the mere search for sympathy; they use guilt and emotional manipulation to extort money or favors from their victims. They may blame you by making you feel responsible for their situation or persuade them that their help will bring significant positive changes in their life.
Avoiding Suspicion and Consequences: By disguising themselves as seemingly innocent individuals facing difficulties, scammers hope to evade suspicion and reduce the likelihood of facing legal consequences for their fraudulent activities. Law enforcement and victims might be less inclined to suspect wrongdoing when faced with a heartbreaking story.
Of course, in the end, there is always the possibility that the person selling the item has gone through a real tragedy; However, you have to trust your instincts and be careful that he doesn’t try to make you feel sorry for him.
Staying Safe on Facebook Marketplace: Tips for Buyers and Sellers
Avoid sharing personal information
You should keep your discussions of items you sell or buy on Facebook Marketplace strictly on Facebook and Facebook Messenger. Avoid giving out your phone number, email address, or other personal information to anyone you chat with.
Meet in public places
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When it comes to getting your item to the potential buyer or receiving an item from a potential seller, see if you can meet in a neutral public place to avoid any potential risk associated with meeting strangers in unfamiliar or private places. Public places such as cafes, malls or community centers are ideal choices for these transactions as they provide a safe and visible environment.
Secure a reputable shipping or delivery service
If meeting in person isn’t possible, consider using a reputable shipping or delivery service that offers tracking and insurance options for added security. Always check the details of the transaction, such as the condition of the item, the price and the agreed terms before finalizing the transaction.
Frustrated woman on her laptop (Cyberguy.com)
Trust your instincts
Also, trust your instincts. If anything seems suspicious or uncomfortable to you, it is best to reconsider the transaction or consult a friend or family member before proceeding.
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Report Marketplace scams to Facebook
Facebook has a Help Center page dedicated to Recognize scams on Facebook Marketplace. The page provides information on what scams are, how to recognize them, and what to do if you come across one.
Kurt’s main takeaways
Facebook Marketplace is known to have a big problem with scammers, and while it’s still a great and convenient tool to use for buying and selling items, just keep your cool and don’t be so quick to trust people.
Remember, you’ll likely meet people you’ve never met before, so remember to read everything carefully and never share personal information that isn’t necessary for the sale.
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