Facebook Marketplace Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Buy-Sell Fraud

You list your used MacBook on Facebook Marketplace for $800. Within minutes, a buyer messages you: "I'll take it! Can I Venmo you a deposit to hold it?" They send a screenshot of a Venmo payment — but the money never arrives. By the time you realize what happened, the buyer has blocked you on iMessage and disappeared.

This scenario plays out thousands of times daily across the United States. The FTC reported over $390 million in losses from online marketplace fraud in 2025 alone, with Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp being the top platforms targeted by scammers.

The Most Common Marketplace Scams

1. Deposit and Advance Payment Fraud

Scammers posing as eager buyers ask you to "hold" an item with a deposit via Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App. They send fake payment screenshots or exploit pending transaction delays to make it look like money is on its way.

Step	The Scam
1	Scammer finds your listing on Facebook Marketplace
2	Contacts you via iMessage, seems very eager to buy
3	Offers to pay a deposit via Venmo or Zelle
4	Sends fake payment screenshot or uses stolen payment method
5	Asks you to ship the item before payment clears

2. Fake Shipping and Overpayment

The buyer "accidentally" sends more than the asking price and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment is fraudulent and gets reversed — you lose both the item and the refund money.

3. Identity Theft Through Transactions

Scammers request your ID, driver's license, or personal details under the guise of "verification" before completing a transaction. This information is then used to:

• Open fraudulent bank accounts
• Apply for credit cards or loans
• Impersonate you in future scams

4. Dangerous In-Person Meetups

Some scammers arrange to meet at isolated locations for cash transactions, then rob the seller of their merchandise or cash. High-value items like electronics, jewelry, and vehicles are prime targets.

Red Flags Checklist

Watch for these warning signs before any transaction:

• Price too good to be true — A PS5 for $100? It's a scam
• Pressure to act fast — "Someone else wants it, I need it now"
• Communication only outside the platform — Insists on iMessage or email instead of Marketplace chat
• New account with no history — No profile photo, no friends, no reviews
• Refuses to meet in person — Claims to be "out of town" or "traveling for work"
• Requests personal ID — No legitimate buyer needs your driver's license
• Sends suspicious links — "Click here to verify payment" is always phishing
• Stock photos or stolen images — Reverse image search to verify

How to Transact Safely

Use Protected Payment Methods

• Use platforms with buyer/seller protection — eBay, Mercari, or Facebook's built-in checkout
• Never send money via Venmo, Zelle, or wire transfer to strangers — these have no fraud protection
• If using Venmo, only accept from verified accounts and wait for funds to clear

Meet in Public Places

• Meet at police station parking lots (many have designated "safe trade" zones)
• Choose well-lit, busy locations like coffee shops or mall lobbies
• Bring a friend and always tell someone where you're going
• Only meet during daylight hours

Verify the Other Party

• Check their Facebook profile: age of account, friends list, past activity
• Search their phone number online for scam reports
• Request a video call to see the item in real time before committing
• Read reviews and ratings on OfferUp or Marketplace

Protect Your Personal Information

• Never share photos of your ID or Social Security number
• Don't click links sent by buyers or sellers
• Use a Google Voice number instead of your real phone number

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

If you've lost money or personal information, act immediately:

1. Contact your bank — Request a chargeback or freeze your account if you just sent money
2. Report on the platform — Flag the scammer's profile on Facebook, Craigslist, or OfferUp
3. File a police report — Bring screenshots of messages and payment receipts
4. Report to the FTC — File at reportfraud.ftc.gov
5. Alert your community — Post warnings in local buy-sell groups

Action	Timing
Contact bank for chargeback	Immediately
Report profile on platform	Within 1 hour
File police report	Within 24 hours
Change passwords if info was shared	Immediately

Password-Protect Your Product Links for Serious Buyers Only

Here's a tip used by experienced online sellers: instead of posting product details publicly where anyone — including scammers — can see them, create a password-protected link on LOCK.PUB.

How it works:

1. Create a password-protected link on LOCK.PUB (free)
2. Post your listing with basic information only
3. Share the password only with verified, serious buyers via iMessage or phone
4. Set the link to expire after the transaction is complete

Benefits:

• Filter out scammers — Fraudsters don't want extra verification steps
• Protect your listing details — Prevent scammers from copying your photos to create fake listings
• Control access — Know exactly who is viewing your product information

Stay Safe Out There

Buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp is incredibly convenient — but it comes with real risks. Always be skeptical of deals that seem too good, never send deposits to strangers, and meet in safe public locations.

Protecting yourself starts with simple habits. And if you need to share product links securely, try creating a free password-protected link at lock.pub.