Facebook Marketplace Red Flags: Rachel Cruze Warns of 11 To Watch For Before You Buy or Sell
Selling your stuff can be an ideal way to bring in some extra cash to help pay off your debt, since you likely have things you no longer need around your home. Though this is a great way to earn some extra cash, popular platforms like Facebook Marketplace are also prime targets for scammers.
If you're not careful, a simple transaction could cost you money instead of making it. Personal finance expert Rachel Cruze is here to help you avoid getting ripped off by outlining the red flags to watch out for on Facebook Marketplace so that you don't get scammed this year.
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1. New Facebook Account
Most people will have an established Facebook account, so you should be suspicious if you see a brand-new account. In other words, who perpetrates fraud probably doesn't have a lot of friends.
2. Instant Interest
If someone has an instant interest in your listed item or they want to communicate off the platform, then this is a warning sign. It's nice to be wanted, but this behavior usually indicates something you should avoid.
3. A Deal That Seems Too Good
If it seems too good to be true, it usually is, and you should be skeptical about ridiculous offers. A scammer will post an absurd deal to attract attention, as they love clickbait. Simply ask yourself if this seems likely to be true before engaging.
4. Getting Overpaid
If they pay you too much and ask you to send the difference, be careful. This could be a scam since you may be unable to cash the original payment. Someone should pay you the exact amount through the payment method that you're comfortable with.
5. Getting Offered a Substitute
If you inquire about one product but get offered a different one, this is likely a scam since you're not getting what you wanted. The old bait-and-switch is not something you are likely to benefit from.
6. Lost Package
This scammer will claim that they never received a package, and they'll ask you for a refund. You should be cautious when someone tries to say that the package has been lost because you don't want to lose your money and the product.
7. Sense of Urgency
If the person on the other end has a strange or usual sense of urgency, you should keep your guard up. You don't want to get rushed into deciding on a sale.
8. They Refuse To Meet in Person
They might try to scam you if they don't want to meet in person. You should think twice about someone unwilling to meet up to pick up the item.
9. Poor Grammar
If the person isn't using proper grammar or spelling, it should sound an alarm about the account's legitimacy. Unfortunately, in this day and age, even artificial intelligence (AI) has been weaponized to pick your pocket.
10. Unconventional Payment Methods
If they want to use Western Union or any payment method that's not simple or common, you should stay clear of this person. It should be easy, not complicated, to collect a payment.
11. Vague Messages
You'll want to be suspicious if the messages are strangely vague or hard to understand because they could be a scammer.
While there's money to be made from buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace, you want to watch out for these red flags so that you don't have a poor experience that leads to you wanting to quit.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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