Online marketplaces make it easier than ever to find great deals and sell unwanted items—but they also create opportunities for scammers. Learn how to protect your money and personal information when buying or selling through Facebook Marketplace and other online platforms.
Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and similar sites are convenient ways to buy and sell items locally. Whether you're searching for furniture, selling household items, or finding a great deal on something you need, it's important to stay alert.
Scammers are constantly developing new ways to trick buyers and sellers. By knowing what to watch for, you can help protect yourself from fraud.
An item listed far below its normal value may be tempting—but it could also be a warning sign. Scammers often use unusually low prices to create urgency and convince buyers to send money quickly.
Avoid sending deposits, prepayments, or money transfers before you have verified the seller and inspected the item.
Whenever possible, complete the transaction after you have:
Choose a well-lit public location when meeting someone from an online marketplace. Many communities offer designated safe exchange locations for online transactions.
If something feels wrong, it’s okay to walk away.
Be cautious if a seller:
A common Marketplace scam starts with a buyer claiming they need your email address or phone number to send payment.
Shortly after, you may receive a fake message that appears to come from PayPal, Venmo, or another payment service. The message may say you need to:
This is a scam. Legitimate payment services do not require you to send money in order to receive money.
A buyer typically does not need:
Only share the information needed to complete the transaction.
Checks can be counterfeit, altered, or fraudulent. Even if a check appears to clear, it may later be returned unpaid, leaving you responsible for the loss.
Whenever possible, accept:
If using a payment app like PayPal or Venmo, verify the payment directly within the app.
Do not rely only on:
Always confirm the funds have actually been received before completing the sale.
Be extra cautious if someone:
✅ Wants to move the conversation off the marketplace platform right away
✅ Requests your email address or phone number unnecessarily
✅ Sends links asking you to "verify" your account
✅ Offers to pay more than your asking price
✅ Requests that you ship an item before payment is confirmed
✅ Says they are purchasing for someone else and cannot meet in person
✅ Pressures you to make a quick decision
Online marketplaces can be a great way to buy and sell items, but taking a few extra precautions can help protect you from fraud.
Remember:
If you ever have questions about a suspicious payment, check, transfer, or potential scam, reach out to your local banker before completing the transaction.
When it comes to protecting your money, it’s always better to ask first.
At Neighborhood National Bank, protecting our customers is a priority. If you have questions about a possible scam or need help identifying suspicious activity, our team is happy to help.
Contact Neighborhood National Bank today to connect with our team.