How to Spot a Scam on Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace has become one of the UK's most popular platforms for buying and selling second-hand goods. But it's also become a hotspot for fraud. Research from TSB Bank found that 34% of Facebook Marketplace listings could be scams, and 73% of all purchase fraud reports they received were linked to the platform.

The scale of the problem

• The average victim of a Facebook Marketplace scam loses £647 (Santander, 2024)
• 37% of UK adults have experienced a scam on an online marketplace (Experian, 2025)
• Between December 2023 and May 2024, Santander prevented 1,899 customers from falling victim to Marketplace scams
• Purchase scams cost UK victims £87.1 million in 2024 (UK Finance)

Common Facebook Marketplace scams

1. Non-delivery scams

The seller lists an attractive item at a good price, takes payment via bank transfer, and then disappears. The item never arrives and the seller blocks you.

2. Vehicle scams

Fake car, van, or motorbike listings with stolen photos. The scammer asks for a deposit or full payment before viewing, often claiming the vehicle is in storage or being shipped.

3. Fake electronics

Brand-new phones, laptops, or consoles listed well below retail price. Either counterfeit goods arrive, or nothing arrives at all.

4. Deposit scams

The seller asks for a deposit to "hold" an item, then stops responding once the money is sent.

5. Off-platform payment requests

The seller insists on payment via bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards rather than through Facebook's built-in payment protection.

Red flags to watch for

• Price too good to be true — If a £1,000 item is listed for £300, be very suspicious.
• New or empty profiles — Scammers often use freshly created accounts with no friends, no history, and no profile photos.
• Refuses to meet in person — Legitimate sellers of high-value items are usually willing to meet locally.
• Asks for bank transfer — This is the biggest red flag. Once you send a bank transfer, it's very difficult to recover.
• Stolen photos — Right-click the listing photos and search Google Images. Scammers often steal photos from legitimate listings or dealer websites.
• Won't video call or send additional photos — If they can't prove they have the item, they probably don't.
• Pressure to act fast — "Someone else is interested" or "I need the money today" are classic pressure tactics.

How to stay safe

1. Meet in person for high-value items. Bring someone with you and meet in a public place.
2. Never pay by bank transfer to someone you don't know. Use PayPal Goods & Services or Facebook's built-in checkout where available.
3. Check the seller's profile — Look for history, friends, and previous Marketplace activity.
4. Get a valuation — For vehicles or expensive items, check the market value before committing.
5. Trust your instincts — If something feels off, walk away. There will always be another listing.

Verify before you pay

If a seller asks you to pay by bank transfer, you can check whether the bank account matches who they claim to be. WhoAmIPaying runs a Confirmation of Payee check, searches Companies House, and analyses online reviews in seconds.

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Don't send money to a stranger without checking first.