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Read this before you try to score a deal on Facebook Marketplace
Some social media platforms have made it easy for you to buy stuff from other members. Facebook Marketplace is one of the most popular. The problem is it’s littered with scammers.
Read on for five scams you must know about before buying anything on Facebook Marketplace.
The risks of Facebook Marketplace
Through the years, Facebook has morphed into a media giant interested in almost every aspect of our lives, including what we buy and sell.
Facebook Marketplace was first launched in 2016, allowing people to buy and sell locally. It might have had good intentions at the start, but it didn’t take long for scammers to see the value in the online marketplace.
According to cybersecurity company ESET, one in six people has been defrauded on the platform. To make that worse, there isn’t one scam to look out for, but several.
Here are five ways Facebook Marketplace scammers will try to rip you off.
1. Communication off Facebook
One of the indications that you could be the target of a scammer is when they try to take the communication or payment method off Facebook. This is dangerous as there will be no record of messages on Facebook if something goes wrong.
Also, scammers might insist that you pay through untraceable methods such as cryptocurrencies or gift cards. A seller asking you to pay with gift cards should immediately be a red flag for you.
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2. Mailing items first
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