You list a sofa and get a message within minutes: "Is this still available? I'll pay full price, my mover will collect it." Or you spot a bike at half the usual price, and the seller can ship it if you pay a deposit today. Online marketplaces are great for bargains, which is exactly why scammers hang around them.
Meet in person and pay or get paid only when the item and money change hands. Never share a verification code, never accept overpayments, never trust a payment email without checking your real account, and never send a deposit for an item you have not seen.
Scams that target buyers
- The item that doesn't exist. Stolen photos, a low price and a seller who is "out of town" and asks for a deposit or full payment to ship it. Pets, concert tickets, cars and rentals are favorites.
- The fake shipping or escrow service. The seller suggests a delivery company or escrow site that they actually control.
- Counterfeit goods. Branded items at impossible prices; see how to spot counterfeit products.
- Rental listings copied from real homes, with a "landlord" who cannot show the property and wants a deposit by app or wire.
Scams that target sellers
- The verification code. A buyer asks you to read back a code "to prove you're real". It actually lets them open an account, often Google Voice, using your phone number.
- The fake payment email. A convincing email from "Zelle" or "PayPal" says payment is pending until you send a shipping fee or upgrade your account. Real payment services do not work this way.
- The overpayment. They send too much by check or app and ask you to refund the difference. The original payment bounces or is reversed.
- The prepaid shipping label that redirects your parcel, or a courier link that asks for your card to "receive" payment.
Red flags in a conversation
- They want to move the chat to email, WhatsApp or text straight away.
- They agree to the price without asking anything about the item.
- They cannot meet or do a live video call.
- They ask for a code, a deposit, or payment by Zelle, wire, gift card or crypto.
- They send a link to "claim" your payment.
- The profile is brand new or has almost no history.
Safe ways to buy and sell
| Method | Safer for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Cash in person | Local deals | Counterfeit notes; meet in a public place |
| Platform checkout with purchase protection | Shipped items | Only covers payments made inside the platform |
| Credit card or PayPal Goods and Services | Buyers | Sellers can face chargebacks |
| Zelle, wire, gift cards, crypto | Only people you know | Almost impossible to reverse |
Check before you pay
If a seller sends you to a website, check it in our website checker. Paste a suspicious payment email or text into the scam message checker, and test any "claim your payment" link with the link checker.
If you already lost money
Report the profile and listing to the platform, contact your bank or card issuer, and follow our guide for payment apps if you paid by Zelle or Cash App. If you shared a verification code, reclaim your number with your phone carrier and change your account passwords. Then report the scammer here.
See it, check it, then pay for it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest way to pay on Facebook Marketplace?
Pay in person after you have seen the item, or use the platform's own checkout where it offers purchase protection. Avoid Zelle, wire transfers, gift cards and payment-app "friends and family" payments to strangers.
Why does a buyer want to send me a code?
They are trying to take over your phone number or set up an account, often Google Voice, in your name. Never share a verification code with anyone.
A buyer overpaid and wants the difference back. Is that a scam?
Yes. The original payment will be reversed or never existed, and you will lose whatever you sent back. Cancel the deal.
I got an email saying the buyer paid. Can I ship?
Check your actual payment app or bank account, not the email. Fake payment confirmations from "Zelle" or "PayPal" are a common seller scam.
The seller wants a deposit to hold the item. Should I pay?
Not to a stranger, especially for rentals, pets, cars or popular items. Sellers who cannot show the item in person or by live video are a major red flag.
Is it safe to meet a buyer?
Meet in a public place in daylight; many police stations offer safe exchange zones. Bring someone with you for valuable items.
Does Facebook protect Marketplace purchases?
Only some purchases made through Facebook's own checkout with shipping are covered by purchase protection. Payments made outside the platform generally are not.
How do I report a marketplace scammer?
Report the listing and profile on the platform, report to the FTC or your national fraud center, and report the name or phone number on LegitInformant.
Sources
- FTC: Selling on online marketplaces
- FTC: Google Voice verification code scam
- Meta: Purchase protection policies
- FTC: Fake check scams
Figures are the latest available from each source at the time of writing. We review guides when official data or rules change. Spotted an error? Tell us.