How to be safe when buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace (2024)

FAQs

How to be safe when buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace? ›

While it's great to unload something you don't need or buy something you do, Facebook Marketplace still has drawbacks. Like every online marketplace, scammers lurk there to take advantage of people, steal their money and items, or even trick them into revealing information that could lead to identity theft.

While it's great to unload something you don't need or buy something you do, Facebook Marketplace still has drawbacks. Like every online marketplace, scammers lurk there to take advantage of people, steal their money and items, or even trick them into revealing information that could lead to identity theft.

To provide Purchase Protection for an order, we need to be able to track the transaction. When you use delivery or checkout on Facebook, our team can mediate disputes, as we can review details about the order and certain messages that a buyer and seller have exchanged.

Instead, offer to use a secure person-to-person payment site, such as PayPal or sending and receiving money in Messenger. If you choose to pay electronically using wire transfer or money order solutions, avoid payment links and log in directly through the payment method's website.

To help protect your safety, do not share personal information – like your email or phone number – with people you do not know. Instead, communicate through Messenger about potential Marketplace transactions.

No item for sale: Anything that isn't a physical product for sale shouldn't be listed on Marketplace. For example, "in search of" posts, lost and found posts, jokes and news aren't allowed. Services: Selling services (example: house cleaning) on Marketplace isn't allowed.

“If you stay within their ecosystem and use their payment methods that are built into the platform, I would say yes, Facebook Marketplace is safe,” says McKeon. “But savvy scammers that are good at manipulating people will sometimes say, 'Oh, by the way, let's go pay here,' and that's when the problems can start.”

How do I keep my Marketplace private? ›

Generally, as long as you don't transfer money outside Facebook, you are covered, as both credit card and Facebook payments are insured. However, even if getting scammed does not cost you anything, the time you would lose making the claims and communicating with the scammer would be a waste.

Advantages of Using PayPal on Facebook Marketplace

Comprehensive Buyer and Seller Protection: PayPal is notable for its robust protection policies for both buyers and sellers. For buyers, this includes safeguards against fraudulent transactions, receiving the wrong item, or not receiving an item at all.

Good To Know. The alert from the BBB specifically mentions Zelle scams on Facebook Marketplace, but a scammer could use most any peer-to-peer payment app, such as Venmo or Cash App.

You can use a credit card, debit card or PayPal account to buy items with checkout on Facebook or Marketplace. Learn how to add or remove a payment method from your Facebook account.

As for payment, carrying cash, especially a lot of cash, is risky. Facebook Marketplace recommends a secure person-to-person payment method such as PayPal.