Facebook Marketplace is a great place to buy and sell items that you no longer need. It’s also a brilliant way to raise some extra funds when you’re short of cash, or when you’re working towards a savings goal. When selling on Facebook Marketplace, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you always stay safe and don’t find yourself falling victim to a Facebook Marketplace scam.
Check out the seller’s profile.
It’s a good idea to have a look at the seller’s “seller information” profile before purchasing an item from someone on Facebook Marketplace. This will give you information about the seller, including their Facebook Marketplace ratings from previous buying/selling they’ve done via Facebook.
As well as looking at their selling information, take a quick look at their profile and check for any mutual friends or credible information about them. If you search their name on Facebook and find several other profiles using the same name, or the same profile pictures, this could be a red flag.
Only pay at the time of exchange.
When buying or selling on Facebook Marketplace, paying at the time of exchange is the best way to avoid being scammed. Instant payments can be made in cash or via online payments such as bank transfers or PayPal.
Paying before picking an item up runs the risk of the person being a no-show and you losing out on both the item and your money. Similarly, if you’re selling through Facebook and a buyer tells you they’ll transfer you the money later, you could find that they don’t follow through with this.
Meet in a public place where possible.
Although many choose to pick up or sell items from their homes, it’s much safer to arrange a collection in a public place. Busy areas with plenty of people to stand in as potential witnesses will decrease the chances of anything untoward happening to you during the exchange. Cafes and popular car parks are good examples of places to meet as there will be other people around you and there will also most likely be CCTV in operation.
Don’t be afraid to take a friend with you.
There are a few advantages of taking a friend with you when selling or collecting items using Facebook Marketplace. The most notable is, of course, that you’ll have a witness to back you up should anything go wrong.
If a person refuses to pay you or starts to act aggressively towards you, having a friend with you will help you to feel safer and provide backup where necessary.
This is particularly helpful if you’re selling or purchasing a big-ticket item such as jewellery or game consoles. If you’re buying, having another person with you to help you carry your purchases is also advantageous.
Don’t divulge sensitive information.
Whether you’re selling or buying on Facebook Marketplace, always be wary of anyone who asks questions that require you to give away sensitive information.
If you’re asked about your work hours, your job, whether you have dogs or anything else that seems unusual, you can refuse to answer these questions. 9 times out of 10 these enquiries will come from a curious buyer/seller, however, these could also be a phishing technique for potential burglaries or dog theft cases.
Selling on Facebook is quick and easy if you make sure to follow these tips.
Facebook Marketplace has proven itself to be a fantastic online tool to sell unwanted items. It’s had much success and is now a go-to in most households. For the most part, local sellers from your community will be accommodating, helpful and kind, answering any questions you may have and paying promptly.
There are the occasional rotten eggs that will attempt to scam you, but by sticking to the tips above, you should be able to stay safe whilst selling on Facebook Marketplace.
