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On Facebook Marketplace, more than a billion users trade things monthly, yet they aren't the only ones making money. Facebook Marketplace scams are increasing: In 2021, eight out of ten people who fell victim to an online shopping fraud claimed that the scammer used Facebook or Instagram.
Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate at cybersecurity, claims that buyers on Facebook Marketplace have much more direct engagement and dialogue with vendors than on eBay or Amazon.
These Facebook Marketplace scams may appear convincing, yet they all exhibit similar warning signs that make them simpler to identify. The most unremarkable Facebook Marketplace frauds and advice on preventing them are covered below so you may shop confidently while keeping your money safe.
After reading up on crucial Facebook Marketplace security advice, such as blocking someone on Messenger and restoring a Facebook account that has been hijacked, familiarise yourself with these prevalent OfferUp, eBay, and Amazon frauds.
According to Facebook and security experts, these techniques are used frequently in Facebook Marketplace scams.
1. Sending the item before the payment clears:
A prospective customer can present a phoney receipt indicating that a payment has been made and request that the product be supplied immediately. In contrast, a trustworthy supplier would not demand payment in advance from a customer.
Experts advise utilizing a recognized payment method, such as PayPal or Facebook Marketplace, while purchasing goods offered on Marketplace. Never say that you send money to a friend or family member when using PayPal. According to them, you will no longer be protected.
2. A unreal bargain:
Have you just come upon a listing for the most popular Nike shoes at a significant discount? Unfortunately, the boots are probably faked.
Before agreeing to buy, request to see a live video, several images, or even the actual sales receipt of the shoes. Once more, pay through PayPal or a different way that offers security in case they are fake.
3. Quick Interest:
You are asked to text a "buyer" to arrange an instant item pickup. That is an attempt to obtain your phone number, after which the con artist might swiftly register for a Google voice number, causing a verification code to be sent to your phone. The scammer will request the code to confirm that you are real.
That code will unlock the Google Voice number, allowing them to commit more frauds, such as stealing your identity. Avoid speaking to anyone outside of Marketplace.
4. A Defective Item:
That gaming console you just purchased for $250. Even though the listing may have indicated that it was hardly used, it doesn't work. At your agreed-upon meeting spot in the McDonald's parking lot nearby, you gave the vendor the $250 without plugging it in. Additionally, that merchant is no longer on Facebook.
It's best to switch gadgets and test them before paying for them if they might not function.
5. Bait and Switch:
Advertising one thing while attempting to replace it is known as a bait and switch. When you finally find the item you've been looking for, the seller informs you that it isn't available and substitutes another, more expensive one. If a bargain is different from what you had in mind, feel free to back out.
6. Giveaways:
Don't participate in any free giveaways or offers that you see. It's probably a phishing scam. As soon as you click a link to enter the contest, malware or a virus might be downloaded, and gain access to your private data.
7. The Missing Message:
Facebook claims that a marketplace user can argue that a product was never received when it was or that it was shipped to you when it wasn't. That user will ask for a refund from the responsible party in the transaction—you—in any scenario.
To avoid falling victim to this scam, ensure you have tracking information for any shipments involved.
How to spot Facebook Marketplace scams?
Facebook Marketplace Scams could appear plausible. But once you see some warning signs, it's simple to make the connections and identify scammers on the network. Here's how to avoid losing time and money by recognizing Facebook Marketplace frauds.
Look at the seller's profile:
Let's begin with the entire checklist. First, verify the seller information page before contacting a seller. The vendor is undoubtedly fake, attempting to defraud you on the platform if you can't see a profile photo, image banner, or previous Marketplace listings.
Sellers request payment on a different platform:
When making a purchase, solely rely on secure payment options like PayPal or Facebook Checkout. If a product isn't delivered, you'll obtain a refund using these options, which are protected by buy protection. It's a warning sign if a seller insists on taking payments via Venmo, CashApp, or cryptocurrency. Some vendors make discounts available if you pay through a different system. Avoid falling into these traps.
Both customers and vendors request communication on another site:
Buyers and sellers should limit their interactions to the Facebook Marketplace. Refuse any requests to switch to a different chat service, such as Telegram or Signal, and stay away from the con artist.
Sellers decline personal meetings:
When you do business with a local vendor, you can inspect the item before making a purchase. Avoid ads on the Marketplace if the vendor resides in the same neighbourhood or city and won't meet you there to inspect the item.
Even if you meet the vendor, schedule the meeting in a busy area throughout the day. We also advise bringing a friend or a professional to examine the merchandise.
A purchaser overpays a vendor:
By crooks and criminals posing as customers on Facebook Marketplace, sometimes even the sellers fall victim to scams. The modus operandi operates as follows. When you list a product on Facebook Marketplace, a potential customer expresses interest and sends a sum more significant than the asking price.
The fraudster sends money using stolen credit cards, forged cheques, or cash made with fake money. The customer acknowledges their error and requests a refund for the balance. Unfortunately, your account's payment is reversed, and you are left with nothing when the credit or debit card is reported as stolen by the police.
Conclusion:
Unfortunately, we must be concerned about financial fraud being committed through a hoax, and it even occurs on Facebook Marketplace. The most important things to keep in mind are to exercise caution, avoid communicating with anyone outside of Facebook, avoid clicking on links or using other resources that might be used to obtain personal information through phishing, and report any Facebook Marketplace scams you come across to protect others and yourself.
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