When I do FB marketplace I go cash and in-person. It lets you assess the quality of whatever you're buying.
Yeah treat it like Gumtree, Craigslist, Newspaper Ad or carboot sale. Why do anything else?
How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)
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Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)
#32Fake tracking numbers are a common occurrence in scams now. Somehow the scammers are getting access to a database of real time legitimate tracking numbers, they wait until there’s a shipment in their database going to the same city as the buyer, and then use that tracking number to claim that they shipped the package. Maybe they’re paying a real merchant for access to their shipping database? Or are UPS tracking numbers short enough to brute force?
Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)
#33This is why I HATE providing my phone and banking information. Phones are the worst 2FA available yet it unlocks almost all doors.
Related to e-marketplaces, I decided to sell something on eBay, an account I've had open for many, many years. They decided to tell me after the item was listed that I would have to link my bank account if I wanted to take the money out and would face further restrictions by the end of the month if I don't comply.
Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)
#34When I do FB marketplace I go cash and in-person. It lets you assess the quality of whatever you're buying.
That limits you to buying stuff locally, its a good precaution but means you can't buy anything that is only available further away. I've had good luck buying stuff so far and saved money, I certainly could have got scammed and that would suck.
Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)
#35> I paid $1,030 using PayPal Stopped reading right there. I don't know why anyone thinks this kind of transaction will ever work out in their favor. FB Marketplace/Craigslist etc. are fine, but the golden rule is to use them for local, in-person, cash-only exchanges and nothing else.
Bingo. It's about as obvious as the people who are surprised when their car gets broken into and then they tell you that their backpack was visible.
I knew a woman that legit would frequently leave her purse in her passenger seat. Told her it was only a matter of time before someone broke in, but she just insisted that she hated carrying it around, and would just pull out her credit card from it when needed.
Sure enough, her window got smashed and her purse was stolen, and she was all Surprised Pikachu. She legit didn't think it would ever happen.
And you know what...I really don't think it's victim blaming when the victim not only didn't do anything to protect themselves, but even took action to make themselves a prime target. Leaving a purse in sight? Might as well just leave cash on the dashboard. She could have at least put her purse in her trunk or glove box, somewhere it can't be seen.
Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)
#36Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is the way. Does FB Marketplace even have any sort of reputation system? Or are you banking entirely on the age of the account? I'm a heavy Facebook user, but I avoid FB Marketplace like the plague. Just seems like a great place to get scammed.
I got scammed from a FB advert selling clothing, turned out the company is a scam and sends nothing, FB have allowed them to still advertise for months still.
I get downvoted for saying this every time I post it here, but a huge number of facebook adverts are scams of various sorts.
Some are as you say - you order something and never receive it. Straight up
Some are fast fashion companies which get spun up quickly with slick ads and websites, which are somehow "going out of business" even though they were registered less than 2 months ago.
Some are kickstarters for products which obviously are just clones of other products which already are ubiquitous.
A lot are drop shippers who use slick ads to sell you something they aren't even in possession of, at 2-3x the price which you could get it for if you just took the time to look elsewhere.
Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)
#37How the heck such a FB account is not banned yet? The author said it was created in 2017.
When I was still using facebook ages ago, I repeatedly reported trivially fake accounts. Every single time they concluded the accounts are fine.
Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)
#38> I paid $1,030 using PayPal Stopped reading right there. I don't know why anyone thinks this kind of transaction will ever work out in their favor. FB Marketplace/Craigslist etc. are fine, but the golden rule is to use them for local, in-person, cash-only exchanges and nothing else.
Without knowing what proportion of non-local transactions are scams its hard to say that this is reasonable. I've used ebay and facebook for non-local purchases and not been scammed. I do my best do to due diligence and then hope.
Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)
#39How did the scammer close the ticket?
Zero day on Paypal? Unlikely for a lowly FB scammer to have this.
SMS hijack? Unlikely the OP would have noticed.
Phishing? Maybe… could have been a sophisticated phishing attack. Maybe using those fake package delivery SMS messages.
Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)
#40Been using Marketplace for 5 years with probably +100 items sold. Scammers in my experience usually exhibit these traits:
* They have a new account, and have no Marketplace reviews.
* They want it shipped and will pay extra for shipping. (While some real sellers will want it shipped, most will come by to pick it up.)
* They do not try to low ball you or even negotiate. (Facebook sellers are notoriously cheap.)
* There is a sense of urgency and very responsive to messages. (Most Facebook sellers are not instantly responsive as they have a life.)
I have also seen scam sellers appear as well. They sort of do the same thing:
* The price for the items are amazing, a steal.
* They always ship, often for free. You can never pick it up.
* They are very responsible to any messages.
* The account is new.