Facebook Marketplace was launched back in 2016. Over the years, it has hit almost 1 billion users in 200 locations worldwide and has developed into a daily go-to online marketplace to purchase & sell various products and avail of different services. Facebook Marketplace allows you to directly buy and sell items directly via your facebook account. This marketing platform instantly reached heights when it provided no seller fees and US Postal Service integration for long-distance delivery back in 2020.
However, like all other marketplaces, you will also find scammers or defrauders in the Facebook Marketplace and they are eventually increasing day by day. Unlike other online marketing platforms, Facebook Marketplace does not have any kind of customer service and the process involves buyers & sellers directly interacting with each other.
You never really know whom to trust in an online platform and this also applies to the sellers connecting with you on Facebook Marketplace. While the most common scam on this platform happens to be buyers losing money, there are also chances that the scammers might use this marketplace as a golden opportunity to collect the personal details of the buyer which can be used for other additional scams.
How to identify scammers on the Facebook Marketplace?
A recent investigation into scammer activities on Facebook Marketplace depicts a clear picture of threats to users’ safety and privacy. So you should be very careful while browsing items on this platform. Here are some tips that will help you look out for the red flags next time you are planning to avail services from this Facebook Marketplace.
Stay away from paying in advance
A scammer might ask you to pay the buying amount in advance saying that the item is highly in demand and you need to book it so that it does not get out of stock. Scammers often insist you pay in advance so that they can steal the money. Once you deposit the money the scammer will disappear and you will never receive that item. This is known as the ‘pay-in-advance’ scheme and the easiest way to get someone scammed.
You should never agree to pay for an item before receiving it. If the seller uses high tactics to convince you for paying in advance then it is likely a sign that you are dealing with a fraudster. Stay away from such sellers while browsing through the Facebook Marketplace.
Stay away from fake accounts
Always keep in mind to check the seller’s or buyer’s profile thoroughly. Check when the account was created and the posts uploaded on it. Make sure that the account you are communicating with has a genuine profile photo. Newly created accounts are the first warning sign that the person might be a scammer. There are sellers on Facebook Marketplace that convince people to buy fake products and the buyers never receive them after making advance payment.
In this era of the internet, most people are likely to have a Facebook handle which was created at least 5 to 6 years ago. Brand new Facebook accounts in this online market are the biggest red flags.
Do not switch to any other communication platforms
If the seller insists on switching to another communication platform like WhatsApp or calls to discuss the details then this might be a red flag. Once you are interested in an item and connect with the seller there are possibilities that they will ask you to shift to a different platform for further communication and payment procedure. Scammers often try to call or chat outside Facebook so that their actions cannot get monitored and they can easily get the victim successfully scammed.
Beware of such people who ask you to shift to a different communication platform. These scammers might also ask you to make payments through other mediums rather than paying on Facebook. Make sure to avoid that and pay through facebook checkout because facebook’s purchase protection policy covers the payments that are made via facebook checkout only.
Selling items at very cheap rates
Do not get attracted to items listed at very affordable rates. Facebook Marketplace is often filled with pirated items and scammers use price tags below market price to easily attract customers. Always look for the price of the original item and compare it to the price listed by the seller. Never fall for such discounted items and even if you do so, ask for a lot of photos and videos of the item before purchasing it to make sure that it is genuine.
How to safeguard yourself from getting scammed on Facebook Marketplace
A bit of hard work and playing smart would save you from the scams happening on such online marketing platforms.
Do a little research before making a purchase – While browsing through the Facebook market check the seller’s profile and the reviews placed by previous customers. Also, remember to stay away from newly created pages or accounts.
Ask for a tracking number – If you are receiving any product through mail then always ask for a tracking number. Also, make sure to protect your purchase through Facebook checkout.
Always try to meet the seller in person for self-pickup of your order- The best option to get away from scams is to minimize your search for the items that are available for self-pickup. Meeting the seller is highly beneficial because you can properly investigate the product and question the seller about everything that you need to know.
Do not share any sensitive information – Never give your details such as your bank account, date of birth, phone number, or social security number. If someone is asking you for all this information, it is better to avoid purchasing products from them.
Conclusion
Facebook Marketplace continuously searches for scammers & fraudsters and removes all the listings that go against their policies but they are not able to recognize everything. If you feel like you are being scammed while exploring the Facebook online marketplace then you should immediately report it to the Facebook help center and block the scammer. In case you end up losing money, you can go for further investigations by connecting with the best detective agency in Delhi and also register your complaint at the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Author’s Bio:
Mr. Baldev Kumar Puri is a professional, Private Detective and investigator experienced in this field for 30 years. He is the Chairman of the Best Detective Agency in Delhi, India. He is also a distinguished member of the Association of Private Detectives and Investigators- India.