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Facebook Marketplace Scams: How To Spot a Fraud | PissedConsumer
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May 22, 2024
In this video, "Facebook Marketplace Scams: How To Spot a Fraud" we uncover the murky world of too-good-to-be-true deals on one of the internet's most popular platforms - Facebook Marketplace. From counterfeit luxury goods to deceptive payment requests, learn to spot red flags and hear real-life scam stories that underscore the dangers lurking online 0:00 - 0:24 - Introduction 0:24 - 1:09 - Scams on Facebook Marketplace 1:09 - 1:36 - Common Scams 2:05 - 3:15 - Scam Stories 3:15 - 4:26 - Red Flags to Watch Out For 4:26 - 5:41 - How to Protect Yourself 5:41 - 7:32 - How to Respond to Scams Read the full Facebook Marketplace Scams: Consumer Issues and Tips article: https://help-center.pissedconsumer.com/facebook-marketplace-scams/ Visit our shop: https://shop.pissedconsumer.com/ #facebookmarketplace #facebook #marketplace #OnlineReview #PissedConsumer Support PissedConsumer video interview project: https://www.pissedconsumer.com/donate.html
View Video Transcript
0:00
Ever spotted a deal that seemed just too perfect? You might be right. In today's video we're peeling
0:05
back the layers of those too good to be true offers to help you spot scam from a mile away
0:10
From half-priced luxury watches to vintage cars sold for a steal, tempting offers are everywhere. But remember, not every deal is what it appears to be
0:19
Let's find out how to tell the difference between the genuine from the scams
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Hi, my name is Elliot and welcome to the Pissed Consumer Channel. In our digital age, buying and selling has never been more accessible. With just a few clicks
0:39
Facebook Marketplace has transformed how we shop, making everything from furniture to cars available
0:46
at our fingertips. But with this ease comes a challenge. Scams are on the rise, exploiting the
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trust of millions of users. Each month over 1.2 billion transactions take place on Facebook
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Marketplace. That's a staggering volume of buying and selling, showcasing just how popular this
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platform has truly become. However, not all listings are what they seem. Scammers are taking
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advantage of this booming marketplace with a variety of tricks. The most common scams
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fake seller accounts, identity theft, and products that never get delivered. Fake seller accounts often lure in buyers with attractive but fake listings. Identity theft
1:27
occurs when your personal details are stolen during a transaction. And non-delivery scams
1:33
well, you pay but your item never arrives. Understanding these scams is the first step
1:37
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First up, the pool trailer scam. Imagine paying for a trailer with Bitcoin
2:14
a payment method once promised as secure, but what happens when the trailer never arrives
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This exact scenario unfolded as one buyer sent Bitcoin after reassurances from a supposed seller
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only to end up with nothing. No trailer, no money, and no recourse
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Next, a story of near deception involving a real gold necklace. The buyer was seconds away from
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making a payment, tempted by photos of a luxurious looking piece. Luckily, a quick image search
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revealed those same photos on multiple websites. Photos stolen by a scammer trying to pass off
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fake goods as genuine gold. Lastly, the faulty goods scam. A buyer received a product so defective
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it caused physical injury. Marketed as good as new, the item not only endangered the buyer's health
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but also left them with a battle for accountability, which they ultimately lost against the
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unresponsive seller. These stories aren't just cautionary tales, they're experiences from real
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individuals who learned the hard way. By understanding these scenarios, you can better
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arm yourself against similar deceit. Now that you've seen how scams can play out, let's talk
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about how to spot them before you fall victim. Here are the major red flags you should watch out
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for on Facebook marketplace. First up, prices that seem too low. If you're seeing a luxury watch or a
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high-tech gadget priced at a fraction of its real value, beware. Scammers often use these
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too-good-to-be-true prices to lure in unsuspecting buyers. Next, be cautious of new accounts with
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little to no friends or previous marketplace activity. These accounts may have been created
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recently just to execute these scams. A legitimate seller will typically have a history of interactions
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and a network that even seems more genuine than ever. Finally, unusual payment requests. If the
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seller insists on using Bitcoin, wire transfers, or other unconventional methods outside the standard
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protections of credit cards or PayPal, think twice. These methods make it harder to recover your money
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even if things go south. Understanding these warning signs are crucial. They not only help
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you navigate Facebook marketplace more safely, but also empower you to make informed decisions
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when interacting with sellers. Armed with the knowledge of common scams and their warning signs
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let's move on to how you can protect yourself while using Facebook marketplace. Here are essential
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safety tips every user should follow. First, always keep all communications within the marketplace
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This platform records your conversations, which can be crucial evidence if you need to report a
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scam. Moving the discussion to other platforms can leave you vulnerable and without any proof
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Next, stick to secure and familiar payment methods. Using services like PayPal or credit cards offer
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additional layers of protection, including chargebacks, if fraud is ever detected. Avoid
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payments that can't be traced or reversed, such as cash or digital currencies. Also, verify the
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authenticity of the seller. Check their profile for past reviews and sales activity. A genuine
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seller will likely have a history of positive interactions on the platform, which can reassure
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you of their legitimacy. Finally, don't underestimate the importance of security measures like two-factor
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authentication. This extra step might seem like a hassle, but it significantly increases the
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security of your account, making it harder for scammers to gain access. By following these tips
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you'll not only safeguard your transactions, but also contribute to a safer, more trustworthy
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marketplace community. Even with the best precautions, scams can still happen. If you
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find yourself a victim of a scam on Facebook marketplace, it's crucial to know how to respond
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effectively. Here's what you can do. First, report the scam directly to Facebook. You can do this by
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navigating to the marketplace, clicking on the listing you have an issue with, tapping on the
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seller's profile, and then selecting report. Follow the prompts to inform Facebook about the scam
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Next, take it a step further by reporting the scam to external agencies. The Federal Trade
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Commission and the Internet Crime Complaint Center are pivotal resources. They can take
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broader actions against fraudsters and provide you with additional support. It's also important
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to understand Facebook's purchase protection policies. While this can offer a safety net
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there are limitations. Not all purchases are covered, and there are specific criteria that
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must be met to qualify for a refund. Always read the fine print before relying on this protection
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Remember, taking these steps not only helps you possibly recover from the scam, but also
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assists in preventing future scams by making platforms like Facebook aware of these fraudulent
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activities. Now that you're equipped with the knowledge to safeguard your transactions on
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Facebook marketplace, we'd love to hear from you. Have you ever encountered a scam online
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How did you handle it? Drop your stories and additional tips you might have in the comments
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below. We can all learn from each other's experiences. If you found today's video helpful
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please give it a thumbs up and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Hit the
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notification bell to stay updated with our latest videos, where we bring you more insights and tips
7:24
to navigate online platforms safely and smarter. Stay safe out there and happy shopping
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Thanks for watching and we'll see you in the next video
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