Selling pre-loved items online is the perfect way to make a quick buck and reduce our environmental footprint, with most of us happy to turn to platforms like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace to shift unwanted goods.

However, this convenient method of shopping and selling can also make us vulnerable to scam artists, who can use our own profiles against us. We want to thank member Dawn B. for suggesting we write an article about Facebook Marketplace scams after they unfortunately, nearly became a victim of one. We have found multiple Facebook Marketplace scam stories, so please be careful out there, members! We will be focusing on one specific example in this article…

For real-life proof of how easily we can become victims of a scam, we can turn to this story from one journalist who, before Christmas last year, attempted to offload her old dining table on Facebook Marketplace.

Sharing her experience in an article published at Channel Nine's Honey, the journalist recalled how she was bombarded with messages from potential buyers after she posted an advertisement for her old furniture.

She wrote: 'As anyone with experience selling an item on the platform will tell you, you'll be utterly bombarded with dozens of 'Is this still available?' messages thanks to Facebook's automatic message generator.'

Some screenshots of the conversation between the reporter and the scammer. Credit: Facebook.

However, when the very first person she interacted with turned out to be a scammer, it quickly became apparent that the apparently simple task was far from straightforward.

'But I learned the hard way that many of the people querying about your sale will be scammers, lurking behind fake Facebook profiles, desperate to swindle you out of your money,' the journalist continued.

'I was replying to messages on a "first come, first served" basis, and the very first person I interacted with, sadly, turned out to be a scammer.'

She also saw a few redflags along their conversation, sharing: 'She did not try to haggle with me on the price, instead simply asking what the condition of the table was.'

'I was a little surprised the prospective buyer wanted to pay me before even seeing the table.'

The scammer, who had asked a typically innocent question about the condition of the table, then asked the reporter to take payment through a PayID, which should've set off an alarm bell.

The reporter relented and provided her contact details, leading to her receiving an email from the buyer that should've been a giveaway something was amiss: the email was in bright pink font and asked for the reporter to transfer $250 to 'secure' the money into her account.

She shared: 'It claimed the buyer's payment had been "blocked by PayID" and that they would pay me double the amount of the dining table – but would then request half the money back.'

The feeling of the tables being turned on her was even more distressing for the reporter when she realised the scammer wanted to double pay, with the money transfer becoming increasingly suspicious.

'Essentially, the scammer was trying to swindle me out of $250,' the journalist continued.

'It finally clicked that I was being scammed (I'm embarrassed it took me this long) and I blocked the fake buyer on Facebook.'

Scammers are posing as potential buyers, tricking online sellers into thinking they're making a sale. Credit: Pexels/Sora Shimazaki.

Feeling rather disappointed that she was unable to sell the table at full price, she continued to respond to the other messages she received.

And much to her dismay, she saw that several other buyers requested almost identical transactions, which she came to realise were hallmarks of scammers.

Fortunately, the reporter eventually found a genuine buyer and sold the table, but not before warning that asking for payment in cash is the only fool-proof way of ensuring the buyer isn’t a scammer.

It should also be noted that this is not the first time this case has been brought into spotlight. We previously reported about a similar case and found that the tactics of the scammers are all too similar — not haggling for the price of the item, asking to pay via online payment, and asking sellers to deposit an amount so they can receive the 'payment'. You can read more about this here.

Here's what you need to do when you've been scammed at Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and other e-commerce platforms

It's no surprise that online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and other digital marketplaces have exploded over the past few years, with second-hand buying becoming a popular option due to the increasing cost of living.

These websites are great for both sellers and buyers alike, as they offer an easy, direct, and convenient way for people to purchase goods with a few clicks of a mouse - or taps of a finger depending on what device you use.

Yet, the efficiency with which digital marketplaces offer can also lead to its downfall: in 2021 and 2022, banks HSBC and Macquarie reported a high number of ‘lower dollar value scams’.

These scams include purchase and buy/sell scams on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, as well as puppy scams and more.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimise the risk of being tricked by scammers.

First, watch out for websites or sellers offering products priced way below market value - if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Check if the seller is genuine - it may be a good idea to stay away from sellers whose store just popped up on Google recently. Spend some time looking through the store's comments on social media, and searching for reviews online.

Be wary of scammers asking you to go for non-secure payment methods like wire, bank or international funds transfers, money orders, pre-loaded gift cards, or cryptocurrency. It's very rare to recover your money if you pay this way. Many people have experienced being scammed when they conducted transactions through emails. Instead, always use secure payment options such as PayPal or credit card.

If you have recently been the victim of a scam on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, the ACCC advises you to report the incident to Scamwatch immediately.

Key Takeaways

• Be aware of the signs of a scam when selling on Facebook Marketplace. Scammers will usually try to pay with PayID, or insist that a family member will pick up the item.
• If you suspect that a buyer is a scammer, always ask for cash payment only.
• If you have been a victim of this scam, you can report it to Scamwatch.

Members, always keep your guard up and be aware while browsing through digital marketplaces and purchasing items.

Don't let scammers get away with it - if you're ever scammed, don't be afraid to speak up and seek help.

Stay safe out there, folks!

 

[Stanier123]

Buyers on EBay get some level of protection. However it costs Sellers 13.5% of the sale. PayPal and credit cards give a level protection. I’ve heard too many stories about PayID so have never investigated it’s use.

You just have to have your wits about you. If you feel uncomfortable just give to charity. At least you won’t lose money and someone will benefit. NOT the scammers.

 

[Marian M]

Selling pre-loved items online is the perfect way to make a quick buck and reduce our environmental footprint, with most of us happy to turn to platforms like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace to shift unwanted goods.

However, this convenient method of shopping and selling can also make us vulnerable to scam artists, who can use our own profiles against us. We want to thank member Dawn B. for suggesting we write an article about Facebook Marketplace scams after they unfortunately, nearly became a victim of one. We have found multiple Facebook Marketplace scam stories, so please be careful out there, members! We will be focusing on one specific example in this article…

For real-life proof of how easily we can become victims of a scam, we can turn to this story from one journalist who, before Christmas last year, attempted to offload her old dining table on Facebook Marketplace.

Sharing her experience in an article published at Channel Nine's Honey, the journalist recalled how she was bombarded with messages from potential buyers after she posted an advertisement for her old furniture.

She wrote: 'As anyone with experience selling an item on the platform will tell you, you'll be utterly bombarded with dozens of 'Is this still available?' messages thanks to Facebook's automatic message generator.'

Some screenshots of the conversation between the reporter and the scammer. Credit: Facebook.

However, when the very first person she interacted with turned out to be a scammer, it quickly became apparent that the apparently simple task was far from straightforward.

'But I learned the hard way that many of the people querying about your sale will be scammers, lurking behind fake Facebook profiles, desperate to swindle you out of your money,' the journalist continued.

'I was replying to messages on a "first come, first served" basis, and the very first person I interacted with, sadly, turned out to be a scammer.'

She also saw a few redflags along their conversation, sharing: 'She did not try to haggle with me on the price, instead simply asking what the condition of the table was.'

'I was a little surprised the prospective buyer wanted to pay me before even seeing the table.'

The scammer, who had asked a typically innocent question about the condition of the table, then asked the reporter to take payment through a PayID, which should've set off an alarm bell.

The reporter relented and provided her contact details, leading to her receiving an email from the buyer that should've been a giveaway something was amiss: the email was in bright pink font and asked for the reporter to transfer $250 to 'secure' the money into her account.

She shared: 'It claimed the buyer's payment had been "blocked by PayID" and that they would pay me double the amount of the dining table – but would then request half the money back.'

The feeling of the tables being turned on her was even more distressing for the reporter when she realised the scammer wanted to double pay, with the money transfer becoming increasingly suspicious.

'Essentially, the scammer was trying to swindle me out of $250,' the journalist continued.

'It finally clicked that I was being scammed (I'm embarrassed it took me this long) and I blocked the fake buyer on Facebook.'

Scammers are posing as potential buyers, tricking online sellers into thinking they're making a sale. Credit: Pexels/Sora Shimazaki.

Feeling rather disappointed that she was unable to sell the table at full price, she continued to respond to the other messages she received.

And much to her dismay, she saw that several other buyers requested almost identical transactions, which she came to realise were hallmarks of scammers.

Fortunately, the reporter eventually found a genuine buyer and sold the table, but not before warning that asking for payment in cash is the only fool-proof way of ensuring the buyer isn’t a scammer.

It should also be noted that this is not the first time this case has been brought into spotlight. We previously reported about a similar case and found that the tactics of the scammers are all too similar — not haggling for the price of the item, asking to pay via online payment, and asking sellers to deposit an amount so they can receive the 'payment'. You can read more about this here.

Here's what you need to do when you've been scammed at Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and other e-commerce platforms

It's no surprise that online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and other digital marketplaces have exploded over the past few years, with second-hand buying becoming a popular option due to the increasing cost of living.

These websites are great for both sellers and buyers alike, as they offer an easy, direct, and convenient way for people to purchase goods with a few clicks of a mouse - or taps of a finger depending on what device you use.

Yet, the efficiency with which digital marketplaces offer can also lead to its downfall: in 2021 and 2022, banks HSBC and Macquarie reported a high number of ‘lower dollar value scams’.

These scams include purchase and buy/sell scams on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, as well as puppy scams and more.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimise the risk of being tricked by scammers.

First, watch out for websites or sellers offering products priced way below market value - if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Check if the seller is genuine - it may be a good idea to stay away from sellers whose store just popped up on Google recently. Spend some time looking through the store's comments on social media, and searching for reviews online.

Be wary of scammers asking you to go for non-secure payment methods like wire, bank or international funds transfers, money orders, pre-loaded gift cards, or cryptocurrency. It's very rare to recover your money if you pay this way. Many people have experienced being scammed when they conducted transactions through emails. Instead, always use secure payment options such as PayPal or credit card.

If you have recently been the victim of a scam on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, the ACCC advises you to report the incident to Scamwatch immediately.

Key Takeaways

• Be aware of the signs of a scam when selling on Facebook Marketplace. Scammers will usually try to pay with PayID, or insist that a family member will pick up the item.
• If you suspect that a buyer is a scammer, always ask for cash payment only.
• If you have been a victim of this scam, you can report it to Scamwatch.

Members, always keep your guard up and be aware while browsing through digital marketplaces and purchasing items.

Don't let scammers get away with it - if you're ever scammed, don't be afraid to speak up and seek help.

Stay safe out there, folks!

I have had the same one claiming brother will pick up. It has happened four or five times to me now.

 

[Joydie]

Selling pre-loved items online is the perfect way to make a quick buck and reduce our environmental footprint, with most of us happy to turn to platforms like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace to shift unwanted goods.

However, this convenient method of shopping and selling can also make us vulnerable to scam artists, who can use our own profiles against us. We want to thank member Dawn B. for suggesting we write an article about Facebook Marketplace scams after they unfortunately, nearly became a victim of one. We have found multiple Facebook Marketplace scam stories, so please be careful out there, members! We will be focusing on one specific example in this article…

For real-life proof of how easily we can become victims of a scam, we can turn to this story from one journalist who, before Christmas last year, attempted to offload her old dining table on Facebook Marketplace.

Sharing her experience in an article published at Channel Nine's Honey, the journalist recalled how she was bombarded with messages from potential buyers after she posted an advertisement for her old furniture.

She wrote: 'As anyone with experience selling an item on the platform will tell you, you'll be utterly bombarded with dozens of 'Is this still available?' messages thanks to Facebook's automatic message generator.'

Some screenshots of the conversation between the reporter and the scammer. Credit: Facebook.

However, when the very first person she interacted with turned out to be a scammer, it quickly became apparent that the apparently simple task was far from straightforward.

'But I learned the hard way that many of the people querying about your sale will be scammers, lurking behind fake Facebook profiles, desperate to swindle you out of your money,' the journalist continued.

'I was replying to messages on a "first come, first served" basis, and the very first person I interacted with, sadly, turned out to be a scammer.'

She also saw a few redflags along their conversation, sharing: 'She did not try to haggle with me on the price, instead simply asking what the condition of the table was.'

'I was a little surprised the prospective buyer wanted to pay me before even seeing the table.'

The scammer, who had asked a typically innocent question about the condition of the table, then asked the reporter to take payment through a PayID, which should've set off an alarm bell.

The reporter relented and provided her contact details, leading to her receiving an email from the buyer that should've been a giveaway something was amiss: the email was in bright pink font and asked for the reporter to transfer $250 to 'secure' the money into her account.

She shared: 'It claimed the buyer's payment had been "blocked by PayID" and that they would pay me double the amount of the dining table – but would then request half the money back.'

The feeling of the tables being turned on her was even more distressing for the reporter when she realised the scammer wanted to double pay, with the money transfer becoming increasingly suspicious.

'Essentially, the scammer was trying to swindle me out of $250,' the journalist continued.

'It finally clicked that I was being scammed (I'm embarrassed it took me this long) and I blocked the fake buyer on Facebook.'

Scammers are posing as potential buyers, tricking online sellers into thinking they're making a sale. Credit: Pexels/Sora Shimazaki.

Feeling rather disappointed that she was unable to sell the table at full price, she continued to respond to the other messages she received.

And much to her dismay, she saw that several other buyers requested almost identical transactions, which she came to realise were hallmarks of scammers.

Fortunately, the reporter eventually found a genuine buyer and sold the table, but not before warning that asking for payment in cash is the only fool-proof way of ensuring the buyer isn’t a scammer.

It should also be noted that this is not the first time this case has been brought into spotlight. We previously reported about a similar case and found that the tactics of the scammers are all too similar — not haggling for the price of the item, asking to pay via online payment, and asking sellers to deposit an amount so they can receive the 'payment'. You can read more about this here.

Here's what you need to do when you've been scammed at Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and other e-commerce platforms

It's no surprise that online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and other digital marketplaces have exploded over the past few years, with second-hand buying becoming a popular option due to the increasing cost of living.

These websites are great for both sellers and buyers alike, as they offer an easy, direct, and convenient way for people to purchase goods with a few clicks of a mouse - or taps of a finger depending on what device you use.

Yet, the efficiency with which digital marketplaces offer can also lead to its downfall: in 2021 and 2022, banks HSBC and Macquarie reported a high number of ‘lower dollar value scams’.

These scams include purchase and buy/sell scams on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, as well as puppy scams and more.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimise the risk of being tricked by scammers.

First, watch out for websites or sellers offering products priced way below market value - if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Check if the seller is genuine - it may be a good idea to stay away from sellers whose store just popped up on Google recently. Spend some time looking through the store's comments on social media, and searching for reviews online.

Be wary of scammers asking you to go for non-secure payment methods like wire, bank or international funds transfers, money orders, pre-loaded gift cards, or cryptocurrency. It's very rare to recover your money if you pay this way. Many people have experienced being scammed when they conducted transactions through emails. Instead, always use secure payment options such as PayPal or credit card.

If you have recently been the victim of a scam on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, the ACCC advises you to report the incident to Scamwatch immediately.

Key Takeaways

• Be aware of the signs of a scam when selling on Facebook Marketplace. Scammers will usually try to pay with PayID, or insist that a family member will pick up the item.
• If you suspect that a buyer is a scammer, always ask for cash payment only.
• If you have been a victim of this scam, you can report it to Scamwatch.

Members, always keep your guard up and be aware while browsing through digital marketplaces and purchasing items.

Don't let scammers get away with it - if you're ever scammed, don't be afraid to speak up and seek help.

Stay safe out there, folks!

My husband sells quite a bit on Facebook Marketplace, and every time he lists something, he gets several scammers replying. He emails straight back that he knows it’s a scam, so get lost. If a buyer asks to pay with pay id, they’re scammers. If you say cash on pickup only, you won’t hear from them again. They will ALWAYS say they can’t pick up the item, but a family member will.

 

[Luckyus]

Selling pre-loved items online is the perfect way to make a quick buck and reduce our environmental footprint, with most of us happy to turn to platforms like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace to shift unwanted goods.

However, this convenient method of shopping and selling can also make us vulnerable to scam artists, who can use our own profiles against us. We want to thank member Dawn B. for suggesting we write an article about Facebook Marketplace scams after they unfortunately, nearly became a victim of one. We have found multiple Facebook Marketplace scam stories, so please be careful out there, members! We will be focusing on one specific example in this article…

For real-life proof of how easily we can become victims of a scam, we can turn to this story from one journalist who, before Christmas last year, attempted to offload her old dining table on Facebook Marketplace.

Sharing her experience in an article published at Channel Nine's Honey, the journalist recalled how she was bombarded with messages from potential buyers after she posted an advertisement for her old furniture.

She wrote: 'As anyone with experience selling an item on the platform will tell you, you'll be utterly bombarded with dozens of 'Is this still available?' messages thanks to Facebook's automatic message generator.'

Some screenshots of the conversation between the reporter and the scammer. Credit: Facebook.

However, when the very first person she interacted with turned out to be a scammer, it quickly became apparent that the apparently simple task was far from straightforward.

'But I learned the hard way that many of the people querying about your sale will be scammers, lurking behind fake Facebook profiles, desperate to swindle you out of your money,' the journalist continued.

'I was replying to messages on a "first come, first served" basis, and the very first person I interacted with, sadly, turned out to be a scammer.'

She also saw a few redflags along their conversation, sharing: 'She did not try to haggle with me on the price, instead simply asking what the condition of the table was.'

'I was a little surprised the prospective buyer wanted to pay me before even seeing the table.'

The scammer, who had asked a typically innocent question about the condition of the table, then asked the reporter to take payment through a PayID, which should've set off an alarm bell.

The reporter relented and provided her contact details, leading to her receiving an email from the buyer that should've been a giveaway something was amiss: the email was in bright pink font and asked for the reporter to transfer $250 to 'secure' the money into her account.

She shared: 'It claimed the buyer's payment had been "blocked by PayID" and that they would pay me double the amount of the dining table – but would then request half the money back.'

The feeling of the tables being turned on her was even more distressing for the reporter when she realised the scammer wanted to double pay, with the money transfer becoming increasingly suspicious.

'Essentially, the scammer was trying to swindle me out of $250,' the journalist continued.

'It finally clicked that I was being scammed (I'm embarrassed it took me this long) and I blocked the fake buyer on Facebook.'

Scammers are posing as potential buyers, tricking online sellers into thinking they're making a sale. Credit: Pexels/Sora Shimazaki.

Feeling rather disappointed that she was unable to sell the table at full price, she continued to respond to the other messages she received.

And much to her dismay, she saw that several other buyers requested almost identical transactions, which she came to realise were hallmarks of scammers.

Fortunately, the reporter eventually found a genuine buyer and sold the table, but not before warning that asking for payment in cash is the only fool-proof way of ensuring the buyer isn’t a scammer.

It should also be noted that this is not the first time this case has been brought into spotlight. We previously reported about a similar case and found that the tactics of the scammers are all too similar — not haggling for the price of the item, asking to pay via online payment, and asking sellers to deposit an amount so they can receive the 'payment'. You can read more about this here.

Here's what you need to do when you've been scammed at Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and other e-commerce platforms

It's no surprise that online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and other digital marketplaces have exploded over the past few years, with second-hand buying becoming a popular option due to the increasing cost of living.

These websites are great for both sellers and buyers alike, as they offer an easy, direct, and convenient way for people to purchase goods with a few clicks of a mouse - or taps of a finger depending on what device you use.

Yet, the efficiency with which digital marketplaces offer can also lead to its downfall: in 2021 and 2022, banks HSBC and Macquarie reported a high number of ‘lower dollar value scams’.

These scams include purchase and buy/sell scams on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, as well as puppy scams and more.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimise the risk of being tricked by scammers.

First, watch out for websites or sellers offering products priced way below market value - if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Check if the seller is genuine - it may be a good idea to stay away from sellers whose store just popped up on Google recently. Spend some time looking through the store's comments on social media, and searching for reviews online.

Be wary of scammers asking you to go for non-secure payment methods like wire, bank or international funds transfers, money orders, pre-loaded gift cards, or cryptocurrency. It's very rare to recover your money if you pay this way. Many people have experienced being scammed when they conducted transactions through emails. Instead, always use secure payment options such as PayPal or credit card.

If you have recently been the victim of a scam on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, the ACCC advises you to report the incident to Scamwatch immediately.

Key Takeaways

• Be aware of the signs of a scam when selling on Facebook Marketplace. Scammers will usually try to pay with PayID, or insist that a family member will pick up the item.
• If you suspect that a buyer is a scammer, always ask for cash payment only.
• If you have been a victim of this scam, you can report it to Scamwatch.

Members, always keep your guard up and be aware while browsing through digital marketplaces and purchasing items.

Don't let scammers get away with it - if you're ever scammed, don't be afraid to speak up and seek help.

Stay safe out there, folks!

I listed somethings things Gumtree price negotiable, however, most arseholes want it for buggerall