Facebook Marketplace scam — buyer and seller patterns.
Marketplace scams use the same handful of moves: overpayment, fake courier links, off-platform pressure, and 'verification' phone calls. Knowing the patterns is most of the protection.
This is a second opinion, not a verdict. We never say a message is safe. If anything matches what you saw, slow down and verify before sending money or sharing codes.
Interested buyer · Messenger
Social media · Today · 12:08
What this scam is, in plain words
Marketplace scams break down into a few recognisable shapes. Buyer-side: a 'buyer' pays too much by mistake and asks for the difference back — usually with a fake receipt. Seller-side: a 'seller' offers a great deal but pressures you off-platform to pay a deposit, a shipping fee, or a verification charge.
If a deal feels strangely smooth and the other person quickly wants to leave the platform — slow down. Marketplace's protection only exists while you stay on it.
Warning signs
If two or more of these show up at once, slow down.
- They want to move the conversation off Marketplace immediately (to WhatsApp, SMS, email).
- They send a screenshot of a payment that 'just hasn't cleared yet'.
- They ask for your card details, bank login, or a one-time code 'for verification'.
- They use an unknown courier link that asks you to enter your card to 'release the parcel'.
- The deal price is much better than anywhere else.
- They want a deposit before you can see the item.
What to do now
Calm steps you can take in the next two minutes.
Don't
- Don't share your card details, bank login, or OTP codes with another user.
- Don't pay deposits or 'shipping fees' to unknown courier links.
- Don't ship items before payment has actually cleared in your account.
- Don't move sensitive negotiations off-platform.
Do
- For high-value items, meet in person in a public place during the day, or use a courier you choose yourself.
- Check the buyer or seller's profile — new accounts with no history or photos are a red flag.
- Report suspicious messages to Facebook through the chat itself (tap the message → Report).
One last reminder. We never say something is safe. We surface signs to help you pause and verify. If anything looks off, talk to one person you trust before sending money or sharing codes.
Related guides
Same playbook, different cover story.
Delivery scam
Package delivery fee scam — the link is the scam.
It's nearly always the same: a tiny payment to 'release' a parcel. The amount feels harmless. The page steals your card and quietly signs you up for recurring charges.
Read the guideWhatsApp scams
WhatsApp scam — same script, different number.
Most WhatsApp scams reuse a small set of patterns: impersonating someone you know, offering easy money, promising prizes, or pretending to be a bank. Once you see the patterns, you can spot them in seconds.
Read the guideStart here
Is this a scam? Pause before you pay or share.
If you feel rushed, isolated, or asked to pay before you receive anything — pause. That feeling is usually right. Take two minutes to check it properly.
Read the guideNot sure yet? Check the message before you reply.
Paste what you received. We'll point out the signs and tell you what to verify — before you reply, click, or send anything.