Facebook Marketplace Scams: 9 Tricks Buyers and Sellers Fall For

Facebook Marketplace is great for local deals, but it's also a top source of complaints to the FTC. Here are the tricks that catch people most.

Scams against buyers

• Deposit to "hold" the item — for cars, puppies or rentals that don't exist.
• Too-cheap electronics or tickets with pressure to pay by Zelle, Cash App or gift card.
• Fake rentals using photos copied from real listings; the "landlord" is "out of the country".
• Shipping-only sellers who refuse to meet in person.

Scams against sellers

• Verification code request — "I want to make sure you're real, read me the code I just sent." It's your Google Voice or account code.
• Fake Zelle "business account" email saying you must pay to upgrade before receiving money.
• Overpayment by check or app, then a request to refund the difference.
• Fake courier pickup where you pay the "shipping insurance".
• Prepaid shipping label scams that ask you to change the address after payment.

How to trade safely

• Meet in public, ideally at a police station's safe exchange zone.
• Inspect before paying. Use cash for in-person deals.
• Never share a code sent to your phone.
• Check the profile's age, location and other listings — and search their name and number.

Been hit? Report it here. See also our marketplace scam category and fake check scams.