Overpayment Scam: A buyer pays more than the agreed-upon price, then claims to have made a mistake and requests a partial refund. Be cautious of buyers who insist on paying outside of Facebook’s official channels.
Gift Card Scam: Scammers request payment in gift cards, which can be difficult to trace. Always pay with a credit card or PayPal, and avoid gift cards as a payment method.
Fake PayPal Email Scam: Scammers send fake PayPal emails to trick you into revealing sensitive information. Never respond to suspicious emails or messages.
Cash Advance Scam: Scammers claim to need a cash advance to purchase an item, then disappear with your money. Be wary of buyers who ask for cash advances or unusual payment methods.
Upgrade to Business Fee Scam: Scammers claim you need to upgrade your account to a business account to complete a transaction, then demand payment for a non-existent service.
Phony Refund Scam: Scammers claim to issue a refund, but instead, steal your money or personal information.
Stolen Credit Card Scam: Scammers use stolen credit cards to pay for items, then claim a partial refund or dispute the transaction.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Unusual Payment Methods: Be cautious of buyers who insist on paying outside of Facebook’s official channels, such as wire transfers or prepaid debit cards.
Poorly Written Ads: Scammers often create poorly written or vague ads. Be wary of ads with grammatical errors or missing details.
No Photos or Videos: Legitimate sellers typically provide multiple photos and videos of the item. Scammers may lack these or provide low-quality images.
Unresponsive Sellers: Scammers may ignore your messages or respond slowly. Legitimate sellers usually respond promptly.
Unusual Communication Channels: Scammers may try to communicate through email or text messages instead of Facebook Messenger.
Pressure to Make a Quick Decision: Scammers often try to rush you into making a purchase. Legitimate sellers usually give you time to consider the offer.