Ah, Facebook Marketplace. The digital flea market where you can find everything from vintage furniture to slightly used air fryers. It’s a treasure trove of deals, but let’s be real—it’s also a breeding ground for scammers.
And in 2025, these scammers have leveled up. They’re slicker, sneakier, and more creative than ever.
But don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Let’s dive into the wild world of Facebook Marketplace scams, how to spot them, and what to do if you get caught in one. Spoiler: It involves less crying and more action.
Picture this: You’ve just listed your old couch for sale, and within minutes, someone messages you, “I’ll take it! Can you hold it for me?” Exciting, right? But hold up—before you start planning how to spend that cash, let’s make sure this buyer isn’t pulling a fast one on you.
Scammers love to play the “too good to be true” card. They’ll send copy-paste messages like, “Is this available?” (Duh, it’s listed, isn’t it?) and then hit you with a sob story or a weird request.
For example, they might insist on using their courier or ask you to meet them in a shady location. Or, they’ll send you a fake payment confirmation and pressure you to hand over the item before the “payment clears.”
Take Hella Bertrand, for example. She listed a coat for $100 on Facebook Marketplace, and within hours, a buyer named “Addison” messaged her, eager to make the purchase. Addison claimed he was out of town but offered to pay via e-transfer right away. Sounds convenient, right? Well, here’s where it gets sketchy.
Addison sent Hella an Interac link to complete the payment.
But when Hella tried to process it, the transfer didn’t go through. Addison brushed it off, saying, “Oh, it must be the wrong account. Let me try again.” Hella, feeling a little uneasy but not wanting to lose the sale, gave him the benefit of the doubt. Big mistake.
The next morning, Hella woke up to a nasty surprise. Instead of finding $100 in her account, she discovered $700 had been withdrawn. Yep, you read that right. The shady Interac link Addison sent wasn’t to deposit money—it was to steal it. And to make matters worse, when Hella went back to check their conversation, Addison had deleted all his messages, leaving Hella with nothing but regret and a lighter wallet.
Pro Tip: Always check the buyer’s profile. If it was created last week and has zero friends or reviews, run. Fast.
Now, let’s flip the script. If you’re the buyer, you need to be just as cautious. Scammers aren’t just targeting sellers—they’re coming for your wallet too.
One of the most common scams on Facebook Marketplace involves sellers listing items at prices that scream, “This is too good to be true!” Think: a brand-new PS5 for $50. (Yes, really.) When you message them, they’ll hit you with a sense of urgency, saying things like, “This is in super high demand—I’ve got three other buyers ready to pay right now!” They’ll pressure you to send payment upfront to “secure” the item.
But here’s the spoiler: You’ll never see that PS5. Or your $50. Once they have your money, they’ll ghost you faster than you can say, “I should’ve known better.” And if you try to follow up? Crickets.
It’s a classic bait-and-switch, and it works because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good deal? But remember: If it seems too good to be true, it almost always is.
Another scam targets small businesses and sellers. Scammers send generic messages like, “I’ll buy it! Can you use my courier?” They’ll provide fake bank transactions, claiming the payment is “pending,” and ask for cash on delivery.
Source: LinkedIn
But when the courier shows up, they vanish—leaving you without your item or your money. In some cases, delivery drivers have even been robbed. Talk about adding insult to injury.
Pro Tip: If the deal feels off, it probably is. Trust your gut and walk away.
Okay, let’s say the worst happens: You’ve been scammed. Maybe you sent money for a “brand new iPhone” that turned out to be a brick. Or maybe you handed over your item, only to realize the payment was fake. What now?
First, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to try to recover your money. Start by reporting the scam to Facebook. While they’re not exactly known for their lightning-fast customer service, it’s worth a shot.
Next, contact your bank or payment provider. If you used a credit card or PayPal, you might be able to dispute the charge and get a refund.
One sneaky scam involves fraudsters posing as buyers who say, “I’ll pay now and pick up later.” They send an Interac notice that prompts a text authorizing the deposit into your account. But instead of sending money, the text authorizes them to withdraw money from your account. Sneaky, right? If this happens, contact your bank immediately to reverse the transaction.
Pro Tip: Always use secure payment methods like PayPal Goods and Services, which offer buyer protection. And never, ever, send money to someone you don’t trust.
Let’s talk about safety for a second. Giving out your address to a stranger on the internet? Yeah, that’s about as safe as juggling flaming swords. While most buyers and sellers are legit, there’s always a risk of running into someone with bad intentions.
Some scammers have used sellers’ addresses to commit further fraud or even rob delivery drivers. Others have shown up unannounced, demanding items or causing trouble. One seller reported receiving threats after sharing their address with a scammer. Not exactly the kind of excitement you signed up for, right?
Pro Tip: If someone insists on coming to your house, trust your instincts and say no. Your safety is worth more than a sale.
So, how do you navigate this minefield of scams? Here are a few golden rules:
Facebook Marketplace is a great place to score deals and declutter your life, but it’s also a playground for scammers. By staying vigilant, trusting your instincts, and following these tips, you can avoid becoming their next victim. And if you do get scammed? Don’t beat yourself up—just take action, report it, and learn from the experience.
Remember, the best defense against scams is a healthy dose of skepticism and a little common sense. Now go forth and sell that old couch (safely, of course). You’ve got this!
