Shopping is one of my favorite pastimes. I love finding a good deal and saving money, which is why I often find myself browsing the Facebook Marketplace. The platform offers a wide variety of goods for sale, with some listings coming from legitimate businesses and others from individuals.
However, it’s important to remember that Facebook Marketplace is open to anyone, including scammers. Fraudulent activities such as falsely advertising items at low prices and requesting payment before the item is shipped or received have become all too common.
Whether you’re a buyer or seller, here are a few tips to keep in mind when using the Facebook Marketplace.
As a Buyer:
· Be wary of sellers who change the price of items once you have inquired about them. This is a tactic known as “bait and switch,” where a scammer tempts you with a low-priced item and then tries to sell you a more expensive product or the same product at a higher price. If you notice inconsistent pricing, it’s best to keep shopping and protect your money
· Avoid marketplace giveaways for high-ticket items and fake investment opportunities. Scammers will often send links to interested buyers that are designed to capture personal information or download malware onto your devises. These malicious programs give scammers access to your personal devices, such as your bank account and passwords.
· Be on the lookout for newly created profiles and accounts not connected to a business. Accounts that have…
