04/22/2024
🚨SCAM ALERT🚨
Facebook marketplaces are being inundated with scams.
TIPS for identifying a scam:
1. If you cannot COMMENT on the post, but they want you to boost it, it's a scam. (find the owners of a lost puppy or an heirloom)
WHY? They're trying to boost their online presence, and your re-posting helps.
2. If they want you to PM (personal message) them for pricing and details, especially one where THEY COME TO YOU, it's most likely a scam. (air duct cleaning, auto detailing, carpet cleaning) with the added emotional touch of, "I know self-promoting is bad"....or, "we're trying to stay in business." "Message us for pricing details, pay only when the job is done." are ALL scams.
WHY?? They want your personal address. They are piecing together your identity so they can use it.
3. IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, it's a scam. Period.
Newish couch for just $200, delivery included? Free stuff from a storage unit? Super cheap housing that doesn't even look like this area? An old lady getting rid of her son's car for cheap because he died and it makes her sad? A woman giving away her husband's PS5 because he cheated? Scam, scam, scam.
WHY? This style generally re-directs you to another site, which gathers your personal data. Ebay for cars, "free stuff" sites, etc.
4. JOB OFFERS that are far TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE are also scams. Amazon isn't hiring from home. Nor can you pack makeup or chocolates from your home. Kelley isn't hiring this way. And no one need help cleaning homes for hundreds of dollars a day. I'm sure there's plenty more, but the rule stands. If it sounds too good to be true, it's most likely a scam.
HOW CAN I BE SURE?
Click to see the seller's profile.
It's likely new. Their postings are vague, such as re-posted pictures of nature. They have very few friends or posts. Their names are foreign or strange. Their friend's names are foreign or strange. There is generally only one profile picture with a similar background photo, and no other pictures posted, and it's usually of a family picture, to build your trust in them.
GOOD THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
if the seller is a friend of someone you know, it's probably safe.
if they are writing like a normal human, and not playing on your emotions, it's probably safe.
if they aren't asking for your address or other personal information, it's probably safe.
Feel free to add your tips below.
Have you been scammed? Let us know!
P.S. reporting them to Facebook rarely helps now.
you can ignore them, or put a laughing or angry face to alert others that their post is a joke/problem.
