🛒 MARKETPLACE: A SCAMMER’S PLAYGROUND
76% of purchase scams now originate on social media platforms, with Facebook Marketplace being a prime hunting ground for fraudsters. Whether you’re buying or selling, knowing the tricks can save you hundreds — or thousands.
💰 SCAMS TARGETING BUYERS
- 1. Non-existent items — Bargain-priced electronics, concert tickets, or vehicles that don’t exist. The seller takes payment and vanishes. If the price seems too good to be true, it is.
- 2. Bait and switch — The listing shows a quality item, but what arrives is counterfeit, broken, or completely different. Always inspect before paying.
- 3. Fake payment links — Seller sends a “secure payment” link that’s actually a phishing page designed to steal your card details.
- 4. Deposit scams — “I’ve got loads of interest, can you send a deposit to hold it?” The item doesn’t exist and the “seller” disappears with your deposit.
🎯 SCAMS TARGETING SELLERS
- 5. Overpayment scam — Buyer “accidentally” overpays and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment bounces, and you’ve lost the refund amount.
- 6. Fake collection agents — Buyer says a courier will collect the item and sends a fake payment confirmation email. You hand over the item and never get paid.
- 7. Phishing via messages — Buyer sends links claiming to be payment confirmations or shipping labels that actually steal your login credentials.
- 8. Gift card payments — Buyer offers to pay with gift cards. These are untraceable and almost always a scam.
🛡️ HOW TO STAY SAFE
- Meet in person in a public place for local sales. Many police stations have designated safe exchange zones.
- Cash or PayPal Goods & Services only — never accept bank transfers from strangers or gift cards.
- Inspect before paying — never pay for an item you haven’t seen or verified.
- Don’t click links from buyers or sellers — use the platform’s built-in payment system if available.
- Check the profile — new accounts with no history, no friends, and no other listings are high-risk.
- Trust your gut — if something feels off, walk away. There will always be another deal.
Sources: Norton, Action Fraud, Lloyds Banking Group, UK Finance