• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Technipages

Tutorials and fixes for smartphone, gadget, and computer problems

  • Topics
    • Android
    • Browsers
    • Gaming
    • Hardware
    • Internet
    • iPhone
    • Linux
    • macOS
    • Office
    • Reviews
    • Software
    • Windows
    • Definitions
  • Product Reviews
  • Downloads
  • About
How to Stay Safe When Using Facebook Marketplace

How to Stay Safe When Using Facebook Marketplace

December 31, 2020 by Judy Sanhz 1 Comment

There’s always going to be someone that’s going to need to buy or sell something. There are various places you can go for that, and Facebook Marketplace is one of them. In Facebook Marketplace, you can buy or sell something without the need to join a Facebook group. But, there are some things you should keep in mind to stay safe while you’re there.

Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed on Facebook Marketplace

Follow these tips when shopping on Facebook Marketplace and reduce the probability of getting scammed.

Make Sure the Sellers or Buyer’s Profile Is Not a Burner Profile

When you see something you want to buy or show interest in your selling, investigate the person. For example, if you want to buy something, you can access the seller’s profile. You can do this by clicking on Seller’s Information to see who you’re dealing with.

When you click on their name, you’ll see basic information bout them. But, if you click on the View Profile option right below their name, you’ll have access to their entire profile. You can see if they’re someone who posts regularly and really uses their profile or if it gives you the feeling of it being a burner profile.

Avoid Answering Any Personal Questions

Whether it’s on messenger or when you meet the person for the transaction, don’t answer any personal question the other person might ask. Even if the persons look like the nicest person on the planet’s face, don’t give them any personal info. It just might be small talk, but it could also be a thief’s way of knowing how to track you down later.

Make Sure the Buyer or Seller Is Local

Facebook Marketplace gives you the option of seeing items from people that live up to 100 miles from you. You might be tempted to buy something from someone that lives that far, but there could be some bad consequences to that. The item that was advertised one way on Facebook might not be what you get.

If the person who sold it to you had a burner profile, then it looks like you’re stuck with something you don’t want. The advantage of buying something from someone local is that you can meet in person (try to take someone with you for security reasons). You can inspect the item before you give them the money. If it’s not what you expected you can tell them that and keep on shopping.

Pay in Person and After Inspecting the Item

If you think you can get the seller to lower the price a little or hopefully a lot, try to talk about this before you meet in person. The seller thinks it’s going to be a quick transaction, but if you surprise them by trying to get them to lower the price, they might not like that too much. That way, the transaction will be over as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts

Remember to meet in public places, where you can get help if you need it. Exchange the item and the money simultaneously to avoid having to watch the other person run away. If you can’t shake off that feeling that something is wrong with this transaction, listen to your gut feeling. You never know; you might find that item at a lower price later on.

You Might Also Like

  • Why is Facebook Marketplace Icon Missing?
    Why is Facebook Marketplace Icon Missing?
  • How to Stay Safe When Using a Public WiFi Network
    How to Stay Safe When Using a Public WiFi Network
  • Brave Browser:  How to Stay Safe Online
    Brave Browser: How to Stay Safe Online
  • 3 Useful Android Apps to Help You Stay Focused
    3 Useful Android Apps to Help You Stay Focused
  • How to Stay Productive Using the Windows Clock App
    How to Stay Productive Using the Windows Clock App
  • Fix: Windows Print Spooler Service Won't Stay Started
    Fix: Windows Print Spooler Service Won't Stay Started

Filed Under: Internet

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Seller47 says

    March 30, 2021 at 12:59 pm

    How to see the buyer’s profile?

Did this help? Let us know!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Windows 11: What is Dynamic Lock and How to Set It Up
  • How to Use Google Pay on Android
  • What is a Firefox Primary Password and How to Create One
  • Fix: Windows 11 Mic Not Working
  • How to Update Galaxy Tab S8
  • How to View a List of Recently Uninstalled Apps on Android
  • How to Sign Into WhatsApp on Multiple Devices
  • Dedicated Server vs. Shared Hosting Server

Who’s Behind Technipages?

Baby and Daddy My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

© Copyright 2023 Guiding Tech Media · All Rights Reserved · Privacy