Facebook Marketplace (and similar local buy/sell apps) connect neighbors — and scammers. The FTC names Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist as places where fake buyers push mobile-payment tricks, overpayment checks, and verification-code grabs. Buyers get hit when sellers demand payment outside the platform’s protected rails.

This guide covers local Marketplace buy/sell scams, not vacation rental scams or fake car-dealership websites. No purchase required.

1. Red flags when you are selling

  1. A “buyer” insists on a mobile payment app, then sends a fake payment notification and asks you to ship or hand over the item before the money is real (FTC selling-online alert).
  2. They claim they overpaid and ask you to refund the “extra” — a classic reverse-payment play.
  3. They offer a check for more than the asking price and tell you to deposit it and wire or send the difference back — that is a fake check scam (FTC fake check scams).
  4. They ask for a Google Voice (or any) verification code “to prove you’re real.” Sharing that code can link a Voice number to your phone so scammers can rip off others under your identity (FTC Google Voice scam alert).

2. Red flags when you are buying

  1. The seller wants you to pay outside the marketplace payment system — you lose whatever buyer protection the site offers (FTC buying from an online marketplace).
  2. Payment must be gift cards, wire (MoneyGram/Western Union), cash-reload cards, or crypto — the FTC says those are like sending cash you cannot reverse. Same pattern as gift card scams.
  3. Only stock photos, no clear contact path, or a brand-new account pushing a “too good to be true” price on an expensive item.
  4. Pressure to decide now, move the chat off-platform, or skip reading return/refund rules — treat unexpected links like phishing.

3. Safer habits (buy-nothing)

  1. Prefer local meetups in a public place and cash when the platform recommends it for person-to-person sales (FTC selling-online alert).
  2. If you buy remote, use credit card or a marketplace payment method with buyer protection — never gift cards or wires (FTC marketplace guide; also FTC online shopping).
  3. Never deposit an overpayment check or share a verification code you did not request yourself.
  4. Keep photos, chat logs, and receipts. If something goes wrong, contact the seller, then the marketplace, dispute a card charge if needed, and report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov — see our report scam to the FTC guide.

FAQ

Is Facebook Marketplace itself a scam?

No. Real neighbors sell real stuff. Scammers abuse the channel. Check payment method and seller behavior before you commit.

Why can’t I take a mobile payment from a stranger?

The FTC warns fake payment notifications are common. Confirm funds in your real balance, not a screenshot or alert the buyer controls.

What if someone asks for my verification code?

Refuse. Codes prove control of your phone or account, not that you are a legitimate seller.

Where do I report a Marketplace scam?

ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the marketplace’s report tools, and your state attorney general if needed. Also see how to report a scam to the FTC.

Do I need paid antivirus to avoid Marketplace scams?

No. Judgment and safer payment habits are enough. Buy-nothing is valid.

Marketplace scam hygiene does not require paid antivirus. Built-in browser warnings plus cautious habits are a valid buy-nothing stack. If you want multi-device paid protection, use only these on-site paid links: TotalAV (paid link), Norton (paid link), Bitdefender (paid link), McAfee (paid link), Avast (paid link).