How to Report and Avoid Scammers on Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace – the company’s e-commerce platform, has over one billion users. Needless to say, the platform has become the go-to place for many to sell and buy items. That said, you should still be careful, as scammers have also exploited the platform’s rising popularity. If you become a victim of such scams, use the steps below to report fake buyers or sellers on Facebook Marketplace.  

Facebook Marketplace is filled with scammers. You need to think twice before hitting the buy button or selling an item to strangers. Before we talk about the tips to avoid scams on Marketplace, let’s first go through the steps to report scammers on the platform.

How to Report a Buyer on Facebook Marketplace

When you post something on Marketplace, you may receive multiple offers from potential buyers. You can create a meet-up plan to finalize terms, payment details, and everything in a direct conversation on Messenger. If a buyer doesn’t show up, clear payment, or scam you in any other way, use the steps below to report them.

Step 1: Launch Facebook Messenger and go to Marketplace.

Step 2: Select a conversation with the buyer. Tap on the buyer’s name at the top.

Step 3: Scroll down and tap Report.

Step 4: You can select one of the following reasons to report a buyer.

• Deliberately low offer
• Didn’t show up
• Stopped responding
• Scam
• Bullying and harassment (Verbal abuse, Sexual harassment, Humiliating or degrading content)

Step 5: Select the relevant reason and hit Submit report.

You can mute the conversation or block the person from contacting you again.

You should also contact local law enforcement and notify the Federal Trade Commission. Sometimes, a buyer will make a payment from a stolen credit card, which may land you in legal trouble in the future. You should always receive payments via Facebook’s approved channels like PayPal and Facebook Checkout (more on that later).

In some cases, buyers use fake checks and PayPal accounts to make a higher payment than the listed amount. After that, they will ask you to send back the extra payment. Once you return the overage amount, the actual fund will also vanish from your possession. So, be mindful of the same when you’re selling goods in Facebook Marketplace.

How to Report a Seller on Facebook Marketplace

Reporting a seller is mostly identical to the steps outlined above. Let’s quickly go through them. Let’s take the Facebook Marketplace web app as an example here.

Step 1: Head to Facebook and select Messenger at the top.

Step 2: Go to Marketplace.

Step 3: Select a conversation and click on the seller’s name at the top.

Step 4: Click Report. Select one of the following reasons.

• Already sold
• Inaccurate price or description
• Didn’t show up
• Stopped responding
• Scam
• Didn’t receive an item
• Bullying and harassment

Step 5: Select a reason and tap ‘Submit report’ from the subsequent menu.

What Happens When You Report a Scam on Facebook Marketplace

When you report a buyer or seller on Facebook Marketplace, the company verifies your claim and even contacts you for further information. Do note that all your reports are anonymous, and Facebook doesn’t notify a scammer when you report them.

You may even get your money back if you have used Facebook’s official payment method to complete the purchase on Marketplace.  

How to Avoid Scams on Facebook Marketplace

It’s important to stay vigilant when dealing with sketchy buyers on Facebook Marketplace. Here are some tips to sport and avoid scams on Marketplace.

• Avoid buyers and sellers with no profile photo. Check their profile once before contacting them. If it’s a new account with no posts, that’s a red flag.
• Stick to Facebook Messenger for conversations.
• Use Facebook-approved payment channels to send or receive money. Don’t pay with gift cards, as Facebook can’t track them.
• Meet the buyer or seller during day hours and in public places.
• Set up fraud alerts on your bank’s credit card.
• Immediately decline overpayments.
• Never pay before you receive a shipping number.
• Closely inspect the item before buying it.

Always remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Use Facebook Marketplace to Its Full Potential

Getting scammed is the last thing you want when you buy or sell stuff on Facebook Marketplace. You should keep the tips above in mind whenever you trade something on Facebook’s commerce platform. If you frequently run into suspicious listings or buyers, report them to Facebook and keep them away from the platform.

Did you become a victim of one of such scams on Facebook? Share your experience with others in the comments below.