Ah, scams. One scam is enough to set you off and spend the day in a terrible mood. We’re trying our hardest to avoid them, but sometimes we can fall victim to some of them. There are a variety of tactics that Facebook scammers employ to steal your information or money.
We want you to know that cybercriminals in the modern era frequently use social engineering to deceive naïve customers. By playing on their victims’ desires to find the best possible deal, shifty individuals can low-key trick them into thinking they are safe.
“But how can I stay protected from them?” We’re so glad you asked this question because the only way to protect yourself is to know what type of scams are out there. This way, you can easily spot them and not make a mistake of trusting them. Take a peek at this link https://www.rd.com/article/facebook-marketplace-scams/.
Here’s what you need to know:
Falsified invoices
One of the most common scams on Facebook Marketplace is the use of bogus payment receipts. What does this mean, exactly? Well, the buyer offers the seller false or outdated proof of a previously successful transaction.
You must never accept such evidence as payment; instead, wait until funds have been deposited into your bank account before sending the item. If you choose to pay with Facebook Checkout or PayPal, you will receive an instant notification.
Overpayment
If a customer pays way too much for a product, they usually want their money back. You’ve probably done the same thing, right? This seemingly straightforward scheme targets buyers who prefer to pay with checks. The purchaser sends the seller a fake check in an attempt to defraud them.
The seller, not realizing the check they have received will bounce, delivers the overpayment return. A seller may ask for a down payment or advance payment on other things. Ignore such requests unless you have already dealt with the person in person. Find out more on this page.
Bootleg items
“How should I know if the item is bootleg or broken?” Another thing to watch out for is when aseller provides name-brand goods or cutting-edge gadgets at low costs.
If a piece of technology is selling for a fraction of its normal cost, there’s definitely something fishy going on and the odds are that it’s broken. Here’s another example for you. If a designer handbag that retails for $500 is being sold for $50, it is likely counterfeit or stolen.
Shipping scams
Buyers that offer to pay for shipping should raise red flags, folks. Once the item has been shipped, the buyer has the option of changing the delivery address to one other than the one listed on the label. Then they’ll say they never got the box by claiming it was lost in transit.
Some dishonest customers will try to get their money back from you in violation of Facebook’s Purchase Protection Policy by claiming they never received the things they paid for without using a prepaid label.
To protect yourself from a scam on Facebook Marketplace, never accept a buyer-paid shipping label and always keep track of your packages.
Bait and switch
The typical “bait and switch” involves advertising one product and then trying to sell another. You finally find what you’ve been looking for, only to be told it’s out of stock and offered something else at a higher price.
We’re here to tell you that it’s okay to back out from a deal that doesn’t suit your needs!
A fake rental
Though the offered home you see online may seem ideal, it’s best to hold off on sending a deposit until you or a trusted friend have seen it and confirmed that it’s in fact as described and still available.
Unfortunately, a lot of scammers will falsely promote rental homes, then disappear after they receive a payment. Sounds like a headache, right?
So, is it safe to shop on Facebook’s marketplace?
Don’t sweat it because Facebook Marketplace is as secure as any other online marketplace. It’s totally dependent on the skill level of the user. If you pay close attention to all the red flags, you can avoid falling for a con artist’s snare. It is safe to buy and sell anything on Facebook Marketplace so long as you’re careful.
In a nutshell
There you have it folks! These are just some of the scams you should definitely pay attention to if you don’t want to find yourself in a pickle. When it comes to the digital world, we can never be too safe, but at least we’ll have the option to educate ourselves on how to avoid getting scammed.
We hope this article helped you recognize some of the red flags you should definitely avoid and become more aware of your online presence!
