No one wants to get scammed, especially when it comes to online buying and selling. However, unfortunately, various news have been circulating about Facebook Marketplace scams, as the platform has become an attractive place for scammers. They have several tricks and techniques so that you can give away your money or products to them. However, by following some careful steps, you will be able to stay safe in the Facebook Marketplace.
In this article, you will learn about Facebook Marketplace scams. Apart from that, we will also discuss some of the most common scams on Facebook Marketplace that you might face. We will then share with you how to ditch those scams so that you can stay away from getting scammed by some random scammer. Finally, we will also show you how to report a Facebook Marketplace scam on Facebook. Hence, read on to learn more.
What Are Facebook Marketplace Scams?
According to AndroidPolice.com,
“Millions of users buy and sell goods on Facebook’s e-commerce platform every month. It’s free, simple to use, and an attractive option to get rid of unnecessary Christmas gifts and other items. While the overall shopping experience on Facebook Marketplace is seamless, you should be aware of growing scams on the platform.”
In recent years, the Facebook Marketplace has become a go-to destination for many local buyers and sellers who want to buy and sell small goods online. Apart from that, the most important reason why so many buyers and sellers are present on the Facebook Marketplace is because Facebook does not charge any fee for listing on the Marketplace platform.
However, with time, as the Facebook Marketplace got popular, it became an attractive destination for scammers. However, these scammers are not hard to detect if you know what to look for. All you need to do is get the right knowledge of how the Facebook Marketplace works and what you must do to deal with scams. This will help you to stay safe and not lose your hard-earned money.
Read More: What Is Continuity In Business, And Why Is It Important?
Common Facebook Marketplace Scams: How To Detect One?
According to NordVPN.com,
“Facebook scammers use quite a few methods to steal your money or credentials. Modern cybercriminals will often resort to social engineering to trick unwitting consumers into falling for scams. A scammer can fool someone into a false sense of security by relying on a victim’s craving for the cheapest deal.”
The following are some of the common things to stay away from on Facebook Marketplace if you do not want to get scammed:
1. The Buyer Wants You To Send The Item Before Payment
If you are a seller, never send an item to a buyer before receiving payment. The buyer might be a scammer and not pay you later.
2. The Seller’s Listing Is Too Good To Be True
The price for which the seller listed the product is too good to be true. Hence, you must avoid such listings and move on so as not to get scammed.
3. Electronic Products
The item you receive might be faulty. The best way to buy electronics is in person. If not, then buy it from a top-end, assured seller in an eCommerce platform.
4. Overpayment And Then Asking For Refunds
Here, Business Insider warns –
“Someone sends you an overpayment — usually in the form of a check — and, for some convoluted reason, asks you to refund the overage. If you do this, you’ll find that the check will eventually bounce.”
Hence, you will lose the item you are selling. Therefore, never receive an overpayment.
5. Someone Asking For A Code They Texted You
The scammer asks you to send back a code to check whether you are “real” or not. The code can be a scam where the scammer might hack all the details of your accounts.
6. Claims Of Lost Packages
A buyer can claim that he/she never received the product, even though they did receive it. They just want to get the money back. Hence, always use a tracking number for the shipped product.
How To Report A Facebook Marketplace Scam?
If you think you are about to get scammed, or you have already been scammed, there are certain things you can do to not get scammed any further.
The first thing you should do here is stop communicating with the buyer or seller on Facebook Marketplace. After doing so, immediately report the incident to Facebook or the Facebook Marketplace helpline.
If you think a certain listing on the Facebook Marketplace platform is a scam, here’s what you should do if you are a buyer:
Step 1: Open the listing
Step 2: Click on the three-dot menu on the right alongside the Share button.
Step 3: A dropdown menu will open. Here, choose the “Report Listing” option.
If you are a seller listing products on the Facebook Marketplace, and you think a potential buyer is a scammer, here are some steps you can take to report the individual:
Step 1: Go to the right hand of the listing.
Step 2: You will find a module named “Seller Information.” Hover over to the seller’s name.
Step 3: In the area, click the “Report” option.
Step 4: Click “Scam” and then follow further instructions in the menu to successfully submit your scam report.
In both cases, the authorities of Facebook Marketplace will check the viability of the scam and find out whether the scammer is real or not. Based on the information, they will take further steps.
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Final Thoughts
If you are buying or selling items on the Facebook Marketplace, you will need to be absolutely aware of scammers. You will need to ensure that you ship the item only after you have received payment for the product. Furthermore, it is also important for you to use a tracking number for the product you have just shipped so that you can track the product to the end.
In recent times, the Facebook Marketplace has become an attractive destination for scammers. If you know what to look for, you will not find it hard to detect scammers. Do you have any information to add regarding how to identify scammers on the Facebook Marketplace? Share your information with us in the comments section below.
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