A Scary Facebook Marketplace Experience Serves as a Warning to Buyers
When we were on the hunt for a new horse for my daughter, I got a crash course in Facebook Marketplace scammers. Every time I thought I’d found the perfect kid-friendly horse at a great price and close enough to check out, it turned out to be too good to be true.
Dealing with scam after scam made me start doubting everyone! Even friends got hacked, and scammers were posting fake items under their names.
Then, I came across a post from a woman who had been scammed in a much darker way. It almost made me give up on Facebook Marketplace entirely.
Chelsey shared an experience where she found some patio furniture she liked on Facebook Marketplace. She reached out to the seller, who seemed super friendly and even offered to help move the furniture to her place. Chelsey was excited, but then her intuition kicked in. She checked the address the seller provided, and the house on Google Street View didn’t match the one in the photos or video. The area also seemed sketchy.She then did what I always do first—checked out the seller’s profile. It was created in 2024, which was a red flag. Plus, a quick Google search of the photos showed they were listed elsewhere. When Chelsey confronted the seller, he threatened her, saying he wasn’t interested in scamming her but would have done “other stuff” if she had gone to the house. Soon after, the profile disappeared.
Super creepy, right?
How to Spot Facebook Marketplace Scams
Chelsey also gave some good tips to avoid being scammed or putting yourself in danger.
1. If it seems too good to be true, is usually is.
2. Use the incredible technology and tools we have at our fingertips:
*Google search images with Google Lens (screenshot the image and then insert it into Google Lens to see if it pops up in other places or platforms)
*Look at profiles - When were they created, how recent are their profile pictures, do they have any other listings, do you have any friends in common?
3. Are they offering to deliver? Stay away.
4. Are they asking for payment to "hold" it? Stay away.
5. Where is the pickup address? Look at the google map image of the home / pickup spot - Does it make sense with what's being sold?
6. Meet somewhere public if possible.
7. Never go alone.
8. Never disclose if you are or are not with someone. BUT you should always be with someone.
9. Follow your gut. Lol if you don't have one, ask a friend. Something on Marketplace isn't worth your safety.
2. Use the incredible technology and tools we have at our fingertips:
*Google search images with Google Lens (screenshot the image and then insert it into Google Lens to see if it pops up in other places or platforms)
*Look at profiles - When were they created, how recent are their profile pictures, do they have any other listings, do you have any friends in common?
3. Are they offering to deliver? Stay away.
4. Are they asking for payment to "hold" it? Stay away.
5. Where is the pickup address? Look at the google map image of the home / pickup spot - Does it make sense with what's being sold?
6. Meet somewhere public if possible.
7. Never go alone.
8. Never disclose if you are or are not with someone. BUT you should always be with someone.
9. Follow your gut. Lol if you don't have one, ask a friend. Something on Marketplace isn't worth your safety.
And finally, let someone other than the person who goes with you where you are and do a check-in after you leave.
I just about gave up using Facebook Marketplace but thankfully we found our guy. His former owners were super nice and accomodating and she still keeps up with him. So, not everyone is bad. Just a few bad horse apples out there. Stay safe!