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How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)

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Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)

#71

Post by beauzero »

mimon wrote: post #44
akelly wrote: post #32

Fake 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 numb…

I think the idea is the scammer just picks a random business in the area then ships them an empty box with a real tracking number.

There are no till drills that are being sold exceptionally cheap (~$800 US) and show up as the first google ad that are rumored to be an empty box shipped from the country of origin (not China) with incorrect paperwork that gets stuck in customs. Most people say they get their money back through CC or Paypal but maybe a few don't check? Either way it was plausible enough that I did not purchase. The market is small farmers and hunters planting food plots. You can use an old repurposed grain drill if the grass is super short/overgrazed and you can fix it, ~$1500 used on marketplace, or buy a small 4' (no tires/3 point hitch) no till drill US made low end ~$8k. So it is "too good to be true".

Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)

#72

Post by balderdash »

Somewhat tangential - but one of my friends used to buy lots of concert tickets off Craigslist - but he had one simple rule - he’d only buy them unless the seller emailed from a corporate or school email account - it was pretty simple and effective - how is Facebook marketplace worse than Craigslist

Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)

#74

Post by ryandrake »

Sohcahtoa82 wrote: post #35
s1mon wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 wh…

I don't know how "victim blaming" became such a taboo. There are plenty of cases where the victim could have avoided the problem entirely by taking easy, sensible precautions, but nowadays if you point those things out (for the benefit of future potential victims), you're an evil Victim Blamer. People have agency--we're not just helpless sheep walking through life getting inevitably victimized by things totally beyond our control. It should be OK to talk about preventative measures.

Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)

#75

Post by croemer »

balderdash wrote: post #72

Somewhat tangential - but one of my friends used to buy lots of concert tickets off Craigslist - but he had one simple rule - he’d only buy them unless the seller emailed from a corporate or school email account - it was pretty simple and effective - how is Facebook marketplace worse than Craigslist

You probably meant to write "as long as" or "if" not "unless"

Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)

#76

Post by dEnigma »

yieldcrv wrote: post #54
WheatMillington wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>There have been routine escrow mechanisms on bitcoin for 10 years? Its a very lucrative side business to operate those? Are those questions?

No, they are exclamations!

Seems like you missed the mark then

Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)

#77

Post by w-ll »

masto wrote: post #58

I like to think I'm pretty scam-savvy, but it only takes a moment of the holes in the swiss cheese aligning. I saw a recreation of a movie prop that looked like a good gift idea for a friend and made an impulse purchase. Something was nagging at the back of my head and a couple of minutes later I had a sinking feeling that it might be a scam -- sure enough, a little research showed that the product photos were stolen…

Was it the Jurassic Park Barbasol Can? I got it as an Instagram ad, $30 lesson.

Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)

#78

Post by wvenable »

gnicholas wrote: post #64
purpleflame1257 wrote: post #4

When I do FB marketplace I go cash and in-person. It lets you assess the quality of whatever you're buying.

I know others have had good success with FB Marketplace, but man I only see scams. I've posted stuff there and on Nextdoor and CL, and I get 10x the number of scam buyers on FB. I stopped even trying to post stuff there, since it was all chaff and no wheat. Kind of surprising, considering I live in SV, just a few miles from FB HQ. I'd think there would be plenty of legit users here!

I've bought and sold so much stuff on Facebook marketplace. Almost always in person and in cash and always a good experience.

At least one time I broke the rule and actually sent money up front for an item but the seller packaged up and sent it right away. The amount was low enough that I wasn't worried about losing it, the item was pretty unique, and I spent a bunch of time checking on things before I decided to trust.

Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)

#79

Post by EricE »

Gortal278 wrote: post #62
masto wrote: post #58

I like to think I'm pretty scam-savvy, but it only takes a moment of the holes in the swiss cheese aligning. I saw a recreation of a movie prop that looked like a good gift idea for a friend and made an impulse purchase. Something was nagging at the back of my head and a couple of minutes later I had a sinking feeling that it might be a scam -- sure enough, a little research showed that the product photos were stolen…

It's time to move away from Paypal and use a credit card when buying online. Fraud protection with credit cards is much stronger. Paypal has proven itself bad for consumers again and again.

It boggles my mind that people still think paypal is trustworthy.

Re: How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace (2023)

#80

Post by LiquidPolymer »

balderdash wrote: post #72

Somewhat tangential - but one of my friends used to buy lots of concert tickets off Craigslist - but he had one simple rule - he’d only buy them unless the seller emailed from a corporate or school email account - it was pretty simple and effective - how is Facebook marketplace worse than Craigslist

I'm curious how Craigslist is bad? I'm a regular user and love the functionality of CL. I'm certainly aware of the many scammers operating on CL but have found them to be rather easy to spot and avoid. Of course, I have a rule - always meet in person and test the item. I'm not aware of anybody shipping items in CL which is where many of these problems arise.

FWIW - I collect vintage portable music players (minidisc, CD, DAT, cassette, 8CM CD) as well as analog music (vinyl, cassette, etc). There are so many old guys on CL selling stuff they see as useless junk - its an amazing resource. I have a rather ridiculous amount of minidisc players and recorders purchased for as little as $10 - often in immaculate condition.

eBay is another matter - but I haven't been scammed on that platform in many years. I think they are doing something right.

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