How to Spot and Avoid Buyer Scams on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace

Selling your stuff online seems simple—list an item, find a buyer, and get paid. But if you’re using Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, you need to be on high alert for scammers. While these platforms can connect you with real buyers, fraudsters lurk in every corner, waiting to steal your money, item, or personal information.

Buyer scams come in many forms, from fake payment tricks to phishing attempts and chargeback fraud. In this guide, we’ll break down:

• The most common Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace scams
• Red flags to watch out for when selling online
• How to safely complete a sale and protect yourself
• What to do if you get scammed

Let’s dive in so you can sell your items with confidence—without getting ripped off.

Common Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace Buyer Scams

Online scammers are getting smarter, using new tactics to trick sellers into losing money, goods, or even their personal information. Here are the most common scams targeting sellers on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Fake Payment Confirmation Scam

Scammers will often pretend to send you money, tricking you into thinking you’ve been paid—when in reality, you haven’t received a dime.

How the Scam Works

• A “buyer” agrees to purchase your item and says they will send payment via PayPal, Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.
• They send a fake confirmation email that looks like it’s from the payment service, claiming you’ve received funds.
• They pressure you to ship the item or hand it over immediately.
• Days later, you realize the payment never arrived, and the scammer disappears.

Red Flags	❌ You receive a payment confirmation email but no money appears in your account. ❌ The buyer rushes you to ship the item or meet them before confirming the payment. ❌ The buyer overcomplicates the payment process (e.g., claiming you must upgrade your account to receive funds).
How to Avoid It	✔ Only trust payments you see directly in your bank or app. ✔ Never ship an item or meet a buyer until you confirm the payment is real. ✔ Check for email spoofing—legit payment services never ask sellers to “upgrade” to receive money.

Overpayment Scam (Fake Refund Request)

Some scammers “accidentally” send you too much money and then request a refund—only for you to later realize their original payment was fake.

How the Scam Works

• A buyer sends a fraudulent check or fake PayPal/Zelle payment for more than the asking price.
• They apologize for the “mistake” and ask you to refund the extra amount.
• Later, the bank flags their original payment as fraudulent, leaving you on the hook for the money you sent them.

Red Flags	❌ The buyer sends more money than the agreed-upon price. ❌ They urgently demand a refund before the payment fully clears. ❌ They insist on using a less secure payment method (e.g., wire transfers or gift cards).
How to Avoid It	✔ Only accept the exact agreed-upon amount. ✔ Wait for payments to fully clear before issuing any refunds. ✔ Never refund a buyer through a different payment method than they used.

Chargeback and Reversal Scam

Even if a buyer sends a real payment, they can still scam you by reversing the transaction after they receive the item.

How the Scam Works

• The scammer pays via PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle and collects the item.
• After receiving the item, they file a dispute with the payment service, claiming they never got it or that the transaction was unauthorized.
• The payment service refunds their money, and you’re left without the item and without payment.

Red Flags	❌ The buyer asks to use PayPal Friends and Family (which removes seller protections). ❌ They push for shipping instead of meeting in person. ❌ Their account seems new or has no transaction history.
How to Avoid It	✔ Use cash or secure, traceable payment methods. ✔ Avoid PayPal Friends and Family—only accept Goods and Services for buyer protection. ✔ If shipping, use a method with tracking and signature confirmation.

Fake Check Scam

Scammers will often offer to pay by check, but the check they send is fake or altered.

How the Scam Works

• The buyer mails you a check or hands you one in person.
• Your bank initially clears it, but later determines it’s fraudulent.
• By the time the bank reverses the deposit, the scammer has the item and you’re out of luck.

Red Flags	❌ The buyer insists on paying by check instead of cash or an instant payment app. ❌ The check looks suspicious (odd font, missing security features). ❌ The buyer wants you to deposit the check quickly and hand over the item.
How to Avoid It	✔ Never accept checks from strangers. ✔ Wait for checks to fully clear before shipping or handing over an item. ✔ Verify checks with the issuing bank before depositing.

How to Sell Safely on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace

To avoid scams, follow these best practices when selling online:

Meet buyers in a public place	Avoid home meetups. Many police stations have “safe exchange zones” for online transactions.
Only accept cash or secure digital payments	Cash is safest; apps like Zelle and Venmo work for trusted buyers only.
Beware of overcomplicated payment methods	Scammers love confusion. Stick to simple, secure payments.
Trust your gut	If something feels off, don’t move forward. Scammers rely on rushing you into bad decisions.
Consider a safer alternative	If you’re selling electronics, BuckUp lets you get instant cash without dealing with strangers.

What to Do If You Get Scammed

If you fall victim to a Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace scam, take action immediately:

• Report the scam to Craigslist (craigslist.org/about/scams) or Facebook Marketplace.
• Dispute fraudulent transactions with your bank, PayPal, or payment service.
• File a report with the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov) and local law enforcement.
• Warn others by leaving reviews or comments about the scammer’s profile or email.

Sell Smart and Stay Safe

Selling online is convenient, but scammers are everywhere. The best way to stay safe is to spot red flags, use secure payment methods, and avoid risky transactions.

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Citations

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): How to Avoid Online Marketplace Scams
• Facebook Marketplace Safety Guidelines: Facebook.com/marketplace
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): Common Online Seller Scams