Facebook Marketplace has become a popular platform for UK consumers to buy and sell items locally. However, its widespread use has attracted scammers who exploit users through various fraudulent schemes, including those involving offers of free items. These scams can lead to financial loss, identity theft, and other serious privacy breaches. Understanding how these scams operate is crucial for anyone using the platform. The provided source material details several common scams, with a particular focus on schemes involving free items, verification requests, and fraudulent payment methods. The Federal Trade Commission reported that scammers on social media cost American consumers over $1.2 billion in 2022, a 54 percent increase from the previous year, with Marketplace scams being the most commonly reported type (Source 3). While this statistic refers to the US market, it underscores the scale of the problem that UK consumers should also be vigilant against.
Phony Giveaways and Free Item Scams
One of the most prevalent scams on Facebook Marketplace involves phony giveaways. Since the platform is intended for buying and selling, an offer of something valuable for free is almost certainly a scam (Source 1). Scammers often post listings for desirable items at no cost to lure users in. These schemes typically require the user to fill out a form or click a link to "claim" the free item. Instead of providing the item, the scammer uses this opportunity to harvest personal information, putting data privacy at risk and potentially leading to identity theft (Source 1).
A key indicator of this scam is language that sounds like the user has won a contest, prize, or special promotion. This is a common tactic to trick users into divulging personal details (Source 1). Another variation involves fake listings for high-value items like electronics or furniture at prices that are "too good to be true." These items are often listed at a much lower price than expected to entice buyers to make a quick purchase. However, the item may be stolen, broken, counterfeit, or may not exist at all. Once payment is made, the user may receive a non-functional item or nothing at all. The scammer may also be unwilling to meet in person or demonstrate that the item works properly (Source 2). For those genuinely seeking free items, the source suggests joining a local Buy Nothing group on Facebook as a legitimate alternative (Source 2).
Verification Code and Account Takeover Scams
Another serious threat involves requests for verification codes. This scam occurs when someone sends a verification code to your phone and claims they need it to confirm your identity before completing a sale or purchase (Source 1). If you share this code, the scammer can use it to access your accounts or create a fake account in your name. From there, they might attempt to steal your identity, drain your funds, or scam people on your contact list (Source 1, Source 2).
This scam can target both buyers and sellers. A potential buyer or seller asking you to share a code sent to your phone should be considered an immediate red flag (Source 2). Fake buyers use the code to open fraudulent accounts to access finances, steal identities, or impersonate you to con your personal contacts (Source 2). The advice is clear: if you receive an unsolicited verification code, do not share it. Instead, delete the message, report the scammer to Facebook, and block them (Source 1).
Payment and Financial Fraud
Financial scams are diverse and can target both buyers and sellers. A common method involves sellers requesting payment for items they never intend to ship. The buyer pays, but the goods never arrive (Source 2). Conversely, buyers can also perpetrate scams. One method involves a buyer demanding to receive a product before their payment has been fully transferred. They might then cancel the payment or send a fake email claiming they have paid (Source 3). The correct procedure is to ensure payment is received before handing over any items (Source 3).
Overpayment scams are another effective con. This involves a buyer paying for an item with a cheque for more than the agreed price. They then ask the seller to refund the overpayment via wire transfer. The original cheque will eventually bounce, leaving the seller without the item and liable for the refunded money (Source 2). Other scams centre around wire transfers, where a scammer claims to be in another country and needs to pay via an untraceable method (Source 2).
Some scammers look for untraceable payment methods, such as asking buyers to pay with a prepaid digital gift card. After the buyer sends the digital gift card, the scammer ends communication and never delivers the item (Source 2). It is also risky to move conversations off of Facebook Messenger to a third-party site. If you have sent money to a seller on a third-party site, Facebook will likely be unable to help recover your money or the item (Source 4). When paying, it is advisable to use a secure payment method rather than services like Venmo or CashApp when dealing with strangers (Source 4).
Another sophisticated scam involves impersonating buyers who offer to send a cheque. The cheque will bounce, and the seller will not receive payment, potentially after already shipping the item. A variant of this is the overpayment scam, where a buyer overpays with a cheque and asks for a refund of the extra money. After the seller refunds the money, the original payment is revoked, resulting in a financial loss for the seller (Source 4).
Shipping and Item-Specific Scams
Shipping scams can target both buyers and sellers. Sellers might request payment but fail to ship the goods. Buyers can also perpetrate scams by offering to send a prepaid shipping label. Once shipped, the buyer may claim the item never arrived, and the seller cannot track the package. Alternatively, a buyer may send a fraudulent confirmation email or screenshot claiming payment has been made to pressure the seller into shipping the item without actual payment (Source 2).
Car sales on Facebook Marketplace are also a hotspot for fraud. Scammers may try to inflate a car's value by faking a vehicle report or VIN check. They may invent reasons why a test drive is impossible before payment. Another tactic is requesting a "down payment" to hold the vehicle, claiming to keep it from other (likely non-existent) buyers (Source 2).
Other Common Facebook Scams
Beyond direct Marketplace transactions, other scams exist on the Facebook platform. "Facebook quiz scams" involve random quizzes created by scammers to obtain personal information (Source 4). Users should be cautious of such quizzes and avoid participating in them. Suspicious links sent by scammers posing as buyers are another threat. These links claim to verify accounts or shipping details but lead to fake websites designed to steal login credentials or business data, potentially leading to hacked accounts and identity theft (Source 2).
Conclusion
Facebook Marketplace is a useful platform but requires users to be highly cautious. The most common scams involve offers of free items, requests for verification codes, and various payment frauds. To protect themselves, users should never share verification codes, be sceptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and always meet in person in a public place to inspect items before payment. Using secure payment methods and keeping transactions within Facebook's messaging system can provide a layer of protection. If a deal feels suspicious, it is best to cease communication, report the user to Facebook, and block them. Vigilance and awareness are the best defences against the sophisticated scams prevalent on the platform.