Facebook Marketplace Scams
Facebook Marketplace is a great resource for buying and selling, but it seems to attract an enormous number of scammers. I've had a few lately, so wanted to write this blog. Please feel free to share.
It's easy to list and sell on Facebook Marketplace, and what is really great is that there are no fees to pay. However, Facebook does not have a built in payment system like Ebay. This opens it up to a range of possible frauds.
The ones I have seen recently offered to buy the item (unseen!) and send me the money with a driver / relative. These ultimately draw you in, and ask for insurance for the delivery. Once you've entered your financial info, they will use it to take your money.
The second type I encountered 'sent' the money via Paypal. They then wanted me to click on the email 'confirmation' to see that the money had been sent. I checked my Paypal account instead, and found the money not there. The 'confirmation email' was an attempt to steel my log in information.
Unfortunately, there are a number of these out there. You can read more in this blog.
Your name, address, date of birth and banking information are all very sensitve data, and you should be very wary of anyone asking for this information. I never give my real date of birth unless there is a legal requirement for it.
The availability of Chat GPT (Artificial intelligence that can chat with you online) makes it possible for it to seem like a conversation with a real person. I have a blog planned on this and its uses to appear shortly.
All of the scams will either take you to a false link to collect your log in details, or install a virus on your computer to collect your data.
Tips to protect yourself:
- Try to buy / sell locally and meet with the people to complete the sale
- Never give out your bank account details, date of birth etc
- Don't click on links in 'confirmation emails' including those supposedly from Paypal or any other site
- It's good practice not to click on any links in emails, especially links that go to banks / financial services. Rather go directly to the site.
- Don't send your address unless you have a confirmed day and time to meet (otherwise they know when you're not in, which opens you up to a burglary)
- If you do pay for anything online, pay using PayPal 'goods and services' which offers protection for you. Even better, link that Paypal account to a separate bank account that you only use for online shopping, and keep only the funds you need for your shop in it.
- Check the person's Facebook profile - if it is incomplete, has very few friends, no personal info etc, it is likely to be fake.
- And as always in doubt, check Snopes: https://www.snopes.com/
Finally, if you come across any of these scammers, please report them! click on the name in the chat, then scroll down to the bottom of actions to report it to Facebook. See the pic below:
