Watch Out for Social Media Marketplace Scams
Buying and selling on places like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist can be super convenient. You can declutter your house, find great deals, and connect with people in your area. But as these platforms have grown, so have the scams.
Don’t worry—most transactions are totally legit! But here are some common marketplace scams to keep an eye out for (and how to protect yourself).
1. The Overpayment Scam
This one’s sneaky. A buyer agrees to purchase your item, then “accidentally” sends you too much money—usually through a fake check, Zelle, or PayPal. They’ll ask you to send back the difference. A few days later, you find out the original payment was fake, and you’re out both your item and the “refund” you sent them.
2. Fake Payment Confirmations
You’re selling something, and the buyer says they’ve paid. They might even send you a screenshot that looks like a legit payment confirmation. But... no money ever shows up in your account.
3. "Code" Scams
Someone expresses interest in your item and says, “To prove you're real, I’m sending you a code. Just tell me what it is.” They’re actually trying to steal your phone number for account takeovers by using that code to access your accounts.
4. Shipping Scams
A buyer insists on using their own shipping service or asks you to pay for shipping up front. Sometimes the shipping company is fake, and they’re just looking to collect your payment info.
5. Too Good to Be True Deals
If you’re buying and the price feels way too low, it probably is. Scammers will lure people in with amazing deals, collect payment, and then disappear without ever delivering the item.
How to Protect Yourself
- Stick to local, in-person deals when possible.
- Meet in public places—many areas even have “safe exchange zones” near police stations.
- Don’t ship items unless you're using a trusted platform with protection.
- Never send money for something you haven’t received.
- Verify payments in your own account before handing over anything.
- Ignore requests for verification codes—those are always a scam.
- Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.
The Bottom Line
Buying and selling on social media can be super convenient, but it pays to slow down and be careful. Scammers rely on people being in a rush or not wanting to seem rude. Protect yourself, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal that seems sketchy.
Safe selling out there!