Online Shopping Scams
Marketplace Scam
Scams on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and similar platforms — fake listings, payment fraud, and counterfeit goods.
Reported Losses
Part of $770 million in shopping scam losses (2024)
Primary Targets
Buyers and sellers on peer-to-peer platforms
Last Updated
2026-01-06
Also Known As
Facebook Marketplace Scam
How Scammers Contact You
How This Scam Works
Marketplaces enable several types of scams:
**As a Buyer:** - Item doesn't exist — seller takes payment, never ships - Item is counterfeit or not as described - Meet for local pickup, seller no-shows after payment
**As a Seller:** - Buyer sends fake payment confirmation - Overpayment with check, asks for difference back - Buyer claims item not received, disputes payment - Zelle/Venmo scam — buyer "accidentally" sends too much
**Common tactics:** - Seller insists on gift cards or wire transfer - Buyer wants to use a "shipping company" that requires fee - Creating urgency ("I need it for my daughter's birthday tomorrow!")
Red Flags to Watch For
- ⚠️Price significantly below market value
- ⚠️Seller won't meet locally for expensive items
- ⚠️Buyer/seller wants to communicate off-platform
- ⚠️Payment through unusual methods (wire, gift cards)
- ⚠️Check payment for more than asking price
- ⚠️Sob story creating urgency
- ⚠️New account with no history or reviews
- ⚠️Stock photos instead of actual item photos
📝 Real Victim Account
"I was selling a laptop on Facebook Marketplace for $400. A buyer sent me a Zelle screenshot showing $400 payment. I shipped the laptop. The screenshot was fake — no money ever came. I lost the laptop and got nothing."
— Facebook Community Standards Report
How to Protect Yourself
- 1Meet in person for local transactions — in public, safe locations
- 2Use platform's payment system when available
- 3Never accept checks or overpayment
- 4Don't ship items before payment clears
- 5Inspect items before paying cash
- 6Verify buyer's payment in your account (not just screenshot)
- 7Be cautious of too-good deals
- 8Keep communication on platform for records
🆘 What to Do If You're a Victim
- 1Report the user to the marketplace platform
- 2Dispute charges with your payment method
- 3File a police report if significant amount
- 4Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- 5Leave warnings on scam databases
- 6If you sent Zelle/Venmo, contact your bank
🔗 Related Scams
📚 Sources & References
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