How to Avoid Scams on Facebook Marketplace, Stay Safe and Not Get Ripped Off (Part 2)
Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
It’s so important that you know how to avoid scams on Facebook Marketplace. Like any good thing on the internet, there are always shady people who will try to ruin it. A very clear example is fraudsters on Facebook. But I’m here to help! Today’s post is about how to spot Facebook Marketplace scams and keep you and your money safe.
If you read Part 1 of this series you already know the many benefits of FBM and my best tips for scoring deals on Facebook Marketplace. (If you missed it you can find it here: My 10 Surefire Facebook Marketplace Search Tips ~ find exactly what you want for less)
If you’ve been burned by FB scam artists, you’re not alone. We’ve come close a few times. So we’ve learned strategies to weed them out…
How to Avoid Scams on Facebook Marketplace, Stay Safe and Not Get Ripped Off (Part 2)
1) How to Spot Facebook Marketplace Scams
- You know the old adage: If it seems to good to be true, it probably is. It is very true for FBM too.
- Sometimes there are amazing deals, but be wary when the deals are too good.
- If you’re saying to yourself, “I can’t believe how cheap this is!” it’s your sign to dive deeper.
- Fraudsters are actively trying to get money for nothing. They will post things they don’t have, from locations they don’t live in. Their only intent is to trick you out of your money.
- There are ways to protect yourself, the first is learning how to spot them.
My Steps to Spot Scammers on Facebook Marketplace:
- I did a quick search to grab some screenshots to help you spot fraudsters and illustrate my steps.
- my example: I’ve noticed campers are a big hunting ground for fraud. (I’ve been considering getting a little vintage camper to give a fun makeover.)
- Scammers love to use bigger ticket items that are trending. Clear examples I’ve seen are: Pelotons, Pilates Reformers, Arch-topped hutches, trendy purses, and even rental apartments/houses.
- My Spotting Scammer Steps:
Ok. So this is a good example of too good to be true. A vintage camper in great condition for a really low price – I should jump on this! Nope. This needs a deeper dive.
Warning #2) Odd phrasing:
One clue here is how the scammer used the term “caravan” – that’s a tell – caravan is not a term ever used in my area for a camper. That’s a term used often in the UK, not North America where I am.
Warning #3) A brand new account with no history.
Scammers make new fake accounts in the current year that you’re searching. (I took these screenshots in 2025 this scam started then. “Joined Facebook in 2025” gives that away.)
Warning #4) Only one listing.
Real people can have one listing for sure, scammers rarely have more than one. They know they need to delete their accounts when the jig is up, and they don’t want to lose whatever other victims they’ve hooked for other items.
Warning #5) Blank Profile.
If there’s nothing but a profile picture or two, this is less likely to be a real person. The woman in the photo above is real, I’m sure, but her photo was likely stolen.
Fraudsters tend to pick photos of nice normal looking people – so don’t be tricked. Legitimate FB users have more photos, shares, friends, etc. Scammers create new fake accounts that are easy to make and walk away from after they’ve ripped people off.
Look for those 5 Warning Signs before reaching out to ANY seller.
2) How Not to Get Ripped Off
- Don’t engage with a suspected fraudster.
- If you’re at all suspicious, don’t bother.
- I’ve been tempted many times to call them out on their fraud, but there’s no point. There’s no recourse or reprocusions for their bad behaviour, you’ll just be wasting your time and energy.
- Never send money to anyone.
- Fraudsters will often ask for a deposit – just don’t do it. That’s how they’re stealing people’s money.
- They’ll say things like, “There’s been a lot of interest in this item, if you send me a deposit I’ll hold it for you.” or,
- “I can deliver this right to you if you send the money.” I saw this one often during the Peloton craze – who wouldn’t want their super cheap, giant, awkward bike delivered? That’s how they get people.
- Run don’t walk from someone who’s asking for crypto or gift cards. This is true for Facebook or any interaction. These funds are untraceable so they are used in telephone scams, too.
- Normal honest people rarely ask for you to send money ahead of seeing the item.
- Instead, just make arrangements to see the item in person asap. As I said in Part 1 – just be a little patient and you’ll likely find a legit deal for what you’re looking for.
- Fraudsters will often ask for a deposit – just don’t do it. That’s how they’re stealing people’s money.
- Test electronics, etc
- If the item is electronic or powered, make sure it works before you hand over the money. Sometimes people will try to sell broken things, maybe unbeknownst to them, or maybe not.
- Plug it in, add batteries – do whatever is needed to confirm it’s working.
3) How to Stay Safe
- Early in our FBM experience we’re pretty sure that Ed was almost a robbery victim. We did not know the scam avoidance steps I outlined above back then!
- He was carrying cash to buy a computer. The address he was sent to was a neighbourhood under construction. There were very few homes with people living in them. It was isolated.
- No one answered the door when he rang the bell, and when he messaged the seller a parked car nearby sped off. No one ever answered the door.
- We are fairly certain that if Ed wasn’t 6’3″ and muscular he would have been mugged. These scammers knew he was carrying a large amount of cash because they sent him there with it. And there was no one around to stop them.
- For your physical safety it’s best to go with someone else, or at the very least make sure someone knows exactly where you are.
- It’s often best to exchange bigger ticket items (eg. electronics) and money in a very public place.
- The best place, in my city, is a designated area in front of our police station. Does your community have something similar?
- Or perhaps meet at a local mall – bonus points if you’re in direct sight of a video camera.
- If you are a vulnerable person and live alone, avoid letting strangers know where you live. At least until you’ve vetted them.
Those are our best tips to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams! Do you have any to add? Have you ever been scammed?
Check out Part 1 here if you missed it: My 10 Surefire Facebook Marketplace Search Tips ~ find exactly what you want for less
Our most consistent Facebook finds are home decor and furniture. Often we turn them into DIY projects around the house. Here’s some examples that might inspire you:
- How to Reupholster Dining Chairs – A Super Easy Beginner DIY Makeover Project!
- DIY Apothecary Cabinet Inspired Old Hutch Makeover (and where to find Apothecary Drawer Pulls!)
- Stylish DIY IKEA Dog Crate Hack from a Crib! ($50 + One Afternoon of Work)
- DIY Buffet with Sink: How We Made Our DIY Wet Bar from a Repurposed Antique
- Cheap & Easy DIY Glass Whiteboard for Dry Erase
- The my desk and the gorgeous antique hutch in our Our DIY Home Office Music Room (from a Playroom)
- The creator to fabricate the Custom Bar Sign I designed
- And more I’m surely forgetting – and projects we haven’s shared yet!
Robin Hicken is a Home Design and DIY Creator with over 30 years of experience, a Nutritionist and former Registered Dietitian.
