Is the Facebook Marketplace Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a other scam.

What should I do if I received the Facebook Marketplace Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Facebook Marketplace Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Facebook Marketplace Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Facebook Marketplace Scam: Is It a Scam?

Very High Prevalence Type: Other

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Facebook Marketplace is rife with scams targeting both buyers and sellers. Common tactics include fake payment confirmations, overpayment refund tricks, shipping fraud, and selling items that do not exist.

How This Scam Works

For sellers, a buyer offers to pay via Zelle or Venmo and sends a fake payment confirmation email, then picks up the item before you realize no money arrived. Another version has the buyer 'accidentally' overpay and ask you to refund the difference. For buyers, scammers post high-demand items at great prices, collect payment via non-refundable methods, and never deliver. Some scammers also send fake shipping labels and claim items were never received to get refunds while keeping the product.

Red Flags to Watch For

Buyer insists on paying before seeing the item and asks to send a mover
Buyer sends a payment confirmation email instead of you checking your account
Price is significantly below market value for high-demand items
Seller refuses to meet locally or show the item on video
Buyer or seller wants to move communication off Facebook
Request to pay via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency

Example Scam Messages

Message: 'Hi, I'm interested in the couch! I'm out of town but I'll send my cousin to pick it up. I can Zelle you right now. What's your email?' --- Message: 'I accidentally sent you $500 instead of $250. Can you refund the extra $250 back to me? Here's a screenshot of the payment.' --- Message: 'Is this still available? I'll pay full price plus $50 for shipping. I'll send you a prepaid label.'

What to Do If You Received This

Only accept payment methods with buyer protection (Facebook Checkout, PayPal Goods & Services)
Always verify payment in your actual bank or payment app, not via screenshots
Meet in person for local transactions in a public, well-lit place
Do not ship items before confirming payment has cleared
Trust your instincts if a deal seems too good to be true

What to Do If You Fell For It

Report the buyer or seller through Facebook Marketplace
Contact your bank if you sent money
File a dispute if you paid via a platform with buyer protection
File a police report with details of the transaction
Save all messages and screenshots as evidence

How to Report This Scam

Report the listing or user on Facebook Marketplace
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
File a police report for significant losses

Last updated: February 10, 2026