Facebook Marketplace is a destination within Facebook where sellers list their products and engage with potential buyers. This platform features a variety of unique products and pocket-friendly bargains; however the downside is that anyone can sell products and create a business page on Facebook. As the amount of Facebook pages and sellers continue to grow, it’s become imperative to master the art of identifying scammers and unreliable businesses. When you come across a product that piques your interest, take a moment to explore the associated business page or account, and keep an eye out for any of the red flags below.

Business Page

Navigate to the Facebook Business linked to the marketplace listing and have a look at:

• When the Facebook business page was created - If the business page is relatively new and lacks a presence on other platforms, exercise caution as it might be a scam page. Also examine additional business identifiers like contact numbers, email addresses, and other relevant information.
• Page reviews - Assessing the page reviews will give you an indication of whether or not the business is trustworthy. If the business only sports a handful of reviews, click on each review to ensure they aren’t generated by fake profiles. If the business page has disabled reviews, simply search for the business name in the Facebook search bar and select ‘more’. All posts mentioning the page will show up, regardless of whether the page untagged themselves in the posts.

Bonus tip: If you’re unsure about trusting a particular business, consider looking at the geographical area in which they operate and joining a Facebook community group created for residents of that area. After becoming a member, post a query within the group, inquiring if anyone has previous experience with the business in question. If no one within the community has interacted with the business, it's advisable to exercise caution.

Facebook account

Navigate down to ‘seller information’ and review the sections below:

• When the seller joined Facebook - If the seller’s Facebook profile was recently created, it might be a scammer account. Search for the seller on other social media platforms as well to determine if they are a legitimate seller who only recently joined Facebook, or if their online presence is fictitious.
• Seller profile pictures and cover photos - Some Facebook accounts restrict their activity to friends only, but you’ll still be able to view the seller’s cover photo and profile picture. Make sure these photos aren’t stock imagery or stolen from another account. If you’re uncertain as to the validity of these images, simply download the pictures and do a reverse image search either through Google or TinEye. This additional step can help you verify the credibility of the account and the person behind it.

General Facebook Marketplace Safety Tips

• Never disclose sensitive information on Facebook or through Facebook Messenger.
• If possible, opt to meet the seller in a safe, public space.
• Be cautious about making online payments if the seller or business page doesn't meet the criteria mentioned above.
• Trust your intuition. If something doesn't feel right during your interaction with the seller, it's better to terminate the transaction.

Facebook Marketplace can be a fantastic platform for discovering unique products, but as always it’s essential to stay vigilant. Follow the guidelines above to minimise the risk of being scammed and navigate your next virtual shopping trip through Facebook Marketplace with ease.

Find out more about potential online fraud with our helpful guides.

For a wider range of articles to broaden your knowledge of the dangers prevalent online, check out our digital fraud overview.