This New Facebook Marketplace Scam Almost Had Me!

I sell on Facebook Marketplace all the time - and the scams are getting harder and harder to spot!
I'm doing a video everyday in October! You'll get to see Junkstock, Boss Reseller Remix, my Cruise at the end of the month, as well as something really big that will change everything for me!
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Kristin ~ A Rural Squirrel
PO Box 473
Raymond, IL 62560
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[@CDGMR1]

What happened to dignity, respect, trust, loyalty, and truth? Where are we heading as a society?

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Right?! Thankfully, not EVERYONE one marketplace is a scammer. I’ve had some successful interactions on there. Just need to be mindful. Thanks so much for watching!

[@maureenfitzgerald1895]

Yep! Lately, my Facebook posts all say “I do not give out my phone or email,” but it doesn’t stop them. Within minutes of uploading a post, 5-6 scammers respond - very aggressively - “I really want this item, give me your cell so we can make arrangements for pickup today.” They don’t usually say the name of the actual thing I posted. Pro tip: look at their profile: usually opened 2023, & no data. Pro tip 2: I block them. Doesn’t stop the problem, but for a moment, I feel safer and…like I did something to help. Anyway - your key messages of keeping private info private and always being vigilant are spot on!

[@brendatomlinson]

Your 2 tips are what I’ve been doing as well. Saves a lot of time from doing the back and forth.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Good tips!!

[@wabz9850]

I feel like it's not fully accurate because I opened my account this year

[@5tyyu]

Silly video. Not giving ur email or fon nmbr makes u look like a scammer to the buyer not vice versa. No way anyone can hack ur venmo just becoz they hv ur email or cell nmbr. In fact I don't buy unless have email or fon nmbr or address too.

[@bdflatlander]

Good advice. I have sold a lot of items on Craigslist and I like the platform. In my ads I state where I will meet the buyer - a public place like a grocery store parking lot. It protects both buyer and seller.

[@jflsdknf]

Yeah, whenever someone says they're going to have someone else come pick it up, and asks to pay you before they even see it or even pay you MORE than you're asking, so obvious it's a scammer.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Honestly, I don't mind having other people pick it up for them - it's the other red flags that really are the indicator for me. I've had lots of people send their mom or something because it's during the work day and they know that if they don't come pick it up, it'll be gone!

[@625jeffrey]

Yep just had similar type scam. The thing is some of these people have old mature profiles. Either the profile is hacked or it's a full time scam profile

[@Manifesting_Secret_Sketchbook]

I had that happen. I now know this particular lady said she will send her dad to pickup item and deal went through great. * had someone picking up item I was selling n paid me £2 less

[@newenglandbettyboop]

Good Thing You Were Aware 🙌🏽🙏🏼 Thanks For Sharing 😉 Have A Wonderful Week Beautiful 💖

[@baublesblingsneedfulthings7550]

Thanks Kristen for sharing!- yeahhh the icon thing wouldve weirded me out immediately... Im doing alot of the 'too big to ship' on FBM right now..but if they dont want the item enough to go to an atm, Im like NOPE. So far Ive been lucky... had 2 of those phone number things & just IMMEDIATELY blocked the person. I actually live in a pretty small area..atbh, ( some might think this is a bit much..but..) I'll check our online court docket history if Im 'a little wondering' about the person from how they 'speak'🤭 Hey, a lady has to be safe, ya know? So far so good!😅 Keep up the great, fun content girly!❤

[@AlAl-wu7mp]

Thanks for the advice as a new seller on Facebook Marketplace I wasn't sure what to give out.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Glad it was helpful! Have fun! And be careful out there!

[@vickiehanan5686]

Yes recently I've had a problem with people asking for my phone number . Almost everyone . After I said I don't give my number out, crickets . So I report them . And now the things have not sold ! I almost always sell them pretty fast . Don't know why they want it but I'm not giving out my number ! Period !!

[@kathleenbrown6734]

I just started selling and buying on facebook and I ask when I am going to buy from someone the day I go. That way if I get lost or late they call me and I tell them where I am and the last time I got lost and he would have given up. I don’t do financial transactions on my phone, There is nothing there to steal.

[@Scammersaidwhat]

These are the exact type of 'buyers' I love trolling.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

I sometimes like to mess with them too - and then block them!

[@TheCatD]

lol

[@Autoshyne79]

There a lot of scammers out there!

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Unfortunately!!

[@sherryf9835]

😘Thank you for putting out this info. Here in Middle TN we had a young man go with a relative to sell an item. This young man has been on the news because he ended up getting shot in the head by the proposed buyer. The police have suggested meetings between buyers and sellers be set up at a police department, because of the cameras and extra security. Just thought I'd throw this out.... Love watching your videos!

[@emmaellymom1]

East Tennessee here, I bought something off fbm and done a porch pick up the other day and when I told my brother (lives in Murfreesboro) he told me about this… scary story for certain.❤

[@sherryf9835]

@@emmaellymom1 Yeah I couldn't believe it until I saw it on all the news channels. The grandpa took him. So Sad....

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Great tip!! In Colorado, they designated meetup spots in parking lots by the police stations for safety. That’s a really good idea!!

[@ropeysubstance1719]

make sure to avoid afro-american sounding names and profiles

[@kzza8907]

@@ropeysubstance1719whites so afraid i swear

[@timelesstreasuresbygina]

I just had 3 different scams like that. Same thing they demanded my phone number. I knew right away it was a scam.

[@kimberlyfamoly1963]

I usually give the the police station phone number, address and even e-mail.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

😂😂😂That's brilliant!! Good one!!

[@saniya7649]

Thanks for the idea

[@judy-thriftingkcstyle]

Good advice as always. I get one on posh always asking for me to send them pics via text but I don't, I use to respond saying I can't but now I don't even do that

[@ARuralSquirrel]

That’s right! Don’t even engage! Be safe out there!

[@dagthewog6290]

Thank you for sharing. Very helpful.

[@alanwilliamson6421]

Darn scam emails

[@tonyhughjohnson7311]

Thanks For Sharing your Avice Tipps Nice One Will Watch Out When Selling On These Sites. Many Thanks.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Thanks for watching!

[@brendatomlinson]

My bestie got scammed out of $500 by a potential new petsitting client! He fell for a new, more sophisticated variation of the old ‘Nigerian Prince’ scam. I called the bank the check was from & learned they had paid him with a washed check. Scummy people are out there!

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Oh no! Scummy scammers are gross!

[@pufles65]

Ty for the scam info 💐

[@lisadurre8258]

🍂🐿️🍂Great reminder, I had a similar experience. Sad to imagine people use all that knowledge for evil. Stay safe, as you make the world 🌎 a better place. 🤟🏼

[@nibsvkh]

Cash and in person…only way I will buy and sell.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

👍🏻

[@Michael_Wertenberg]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Facebook has gotten really bad in terms of scams over the last year, especially with self-published authorsand job-seekers. Pretty much 100% scams in those fields.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@PodunkPicker]

Scammers for me pick the strangest items to do a scam. Yep, automatic responses are not right or always human. Also, if they just created their profile, its normally a scam. I also, always report them to FB and block scammers.

[@christopherbaranet]

You drive to the person's house. Meet them in the driveway. Pay them in cash. What's so difficult about that?

[@ARuralSquirrel]

You would think it would be that easy!! Some people are shady though!!

[@RadioAshen]

Some people have nothing better to do. May god have pitty on their souls.

[@2344crow]

Yea

[@TheSilverlady1980]

My husband and I don’t have data when we travel. As soon as we leave house it’s just us and a map. We do ask for a # to call if we can’t find address or the meeting spot. I always give our #, name and vehicle we drive incase we are going back and forth the seller will be watching for us. There are lots of older people who are not high tech travelers.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

I totally understand that. Which is what prompted me to make this video. My mom (who’s in her late 70s) was scammed too. 😔 It’s very important to protect yourself from savvy scammers!! Be careful out there!

[@barbarabrown9269]

I posted a few years ago a high end English saddle. Was very specific about its details. Mostly women want horse equipment. So this foreign sounding guy calls and wanted my “western saddle too, the other one you posted”. I never posted a western saddle. Anyway he said he was in the next town. I said great! I live (this many miles away, we can meet half way in a parking lot). He was flip and laughing and says “no, I come to your place”. I said that won’t work, I will meet you half way. He was adamant about wanting my address. I kept refusing and said “understand, this is a very high end saddle, not some junk Indian stuff you buy in bulk off eBay”. He laughed again, said he knew, and would pay cash, of course! he laughed. This went back and forth for a while and finally I said I would call him on Saturday, I was working and that was the only time I was available. Of course I never called again. Too obvious a scam, just wanted my address.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Ugh! That’s awful! Glad you could see the situation for what it was and stayed safe!! Thank you for sharing!!

[@RonaldDelby]

There is also a give away scam. They offer something worth thousands of dollars free. I asked questions on it and they wanted me to email a 3rd party. I did not and deleted the messenger conversation. BEWARE OF GIVE AWAY SCAMS!!!!!

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Oh wow! I haven’t had that one yet! Good to know! Thanks for the heads up!

[@SoloSi2024]

Whilst not exactly a scam, one of the most frustrating occurrences on marketplace is when sellers leave their listing open after they've sold the item! Constant messages sent to the seller with no reply and the listing still looks available! Is the seller just on holiday, and will I get a reply in a few days time? Nope, thanks a lot! The other one is when you initially ask for postage. Eg, 'I'm interested in the item please, if you can post it to me'. The seller immediately assumes you're a scammer and never replies!

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Ugh!! You’re right!! Both of those things - so annoying!!

[@indigokids88]

I told the in Chattanooga I don't have insurance geeze 😮

[@ARuralSquirrel]

😮

[@leighhoppins9273]

Wow she is soooo smart, and dispite her video of warning people they refuse to listen and they just click on the links and then The police get a call saying that, some young couple has been screaming out of thousands of dollars And the police have to waste their precious time and efforts to find and track the scammers

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Thanks for your kind words! What I’m finding though is that the police departments aren’t (or can’t) do much about many of these scammers! Be cautious out there!

[@danieldoucet9121]

I just tell them cash only. Never hear back. Until I post another ad.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

LOL! I have started putting "Cash Preferred" in my listings. I have discovered that I get fewer scammy messages after making that change. I wonder if Venmo is a trigger word.

[@MelodyTurner-u7w]

Great info, thanks for sharing!

[@tamarasparks8065]

I had one I had an entire conversation with about my availability after getting the horses feed. She insisted on my number to know I was a real person. I laid into them, reported and blocked. Usually it presents more quickly. I was mad about wasting my time for their bs scam.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Right!? They’re getting more savvy!!

[@bernardalexander8487]

It’s really crazy out there. I was scammed also but fortunately I got my money back

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Glad you got your money back!!!

[@janetduncan3243]

There's always someone out there wanting to hurt you.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Be safe out there!

[@abroslife]

Had many scammers under my iPhone sale attempting to ask could they meet me at my house and other random things like can they give me 300.00 less than the asking price. Just random, I only meet at police stations. That weeds out thieves most likely.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

I’m glad you recognize the scam!!

[@NYPD99STARR]

Marketplace is full of scammers.. I give up... I have 2 of my own groups and have some loyal customer!

[@ARuralSquirrel]

That’s the way to do it!

[@NYPD99STARR]

@ARuralSquirrel I appreciate your video!! Following you for more. :)

[@nuttychickenman]

They want your email address to send you a fake email so you think you have been paid and you will post the item

[@ARuralSquirrel]

I’m sure that for whatever reason they’re asking for that email, it isn’t good!! Thanks so much for watching! 💖🐿️

[@cuetTimmonz]

i got banned from a group ive never been to. too funny...and scary...

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Whaaaat?? That’s so weird!!

[@peterr7437]

and what are they doing about it ,nothing ,quick to send you a message if they think your message isnt ,well you know what i mean ,fb is one big con

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Yeah - Facebook isn't my fav either!! Gotta be cautious on there for sure!

[@metallboy25]

After we have agreed on a date and time for pick up, I would ask for a number to call when I arrive.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

I wouldn't ever give my number out!! It's a safety issue and it's too easy to be scammed with a phone number. I'd encourage people to communicate through the marketplace app!!

[@metallboy25]

@@ARuralSquirrel You do realise you can mask your number right? You dont have to give the real one. Also I would never use any services where all it takes for someone to scam me is to know my number. 🤦

[@bourge66]

Thank u

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Thanks for watching!

[@tinawiththelakeexchange2093]

It if smells 🐟 then it is 🐟

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Exactly!!

[@adel-711]

All scammers ,

[@dougfredricks2017]

Farcebook 😂😂

[@deano_bites]

Some are genuine yes normal people but that depends what you are selling if your selling computer hardware you get tonnes of scammers and time wasters

[@ARuralSquirrel]

I’m sure that may be true. I appreciate the insight. Thanks for watching!

[@01brake]

Cash Only 💵

[@lynntankersley6134]

Thanks for the info😊

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@jimknarr]

Just give them the number and address for your local police department.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

LOL! Good idea!

[@carynsimon7091]

Block the Scammer

[@ARuralSquirrel]

For sure!! B-L-O-C-K!!

[@damonwayne3307]

What about you acquiring about a vehicle for sale and the seller does not respond or even look at your messages. That’s happening a lot to me right now trying to buy a car for work.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Oh wow! That’s just frustrating! Wish I had a good answer for that! Not all sellers are as diligent as others.

[@surgio154]

So how do you know where to pick an item up at , most people do not ship what they sell , you need a phone number to call them to get an address to pick things up at , do you post your address on the market place message board ?

[@ARuralSquirrel]

NO! I'd NEVER post my address in a public place!!!! They will contact you privately through Messenger and you can DM them there. Then, there's a safe, written record of the communication and everything!

[@Believe-mi]

Hi rural squirrel, May you teach me how to sale online or where can I learn ? And there is no need any degree, Right? Because I have left my study and my age is 21 from Pakistan, Living in United Arab Emirates.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Hopefully you saw my message on your other comment. Good luck getting started in your reselling career!! 🐿️

[@Believe-mi]

@@ARuralSquirrel Thank you very much Squirrel ❤️ Appreciate it

[@LetUsTrySewing]

Is there a way to report suspicious buyers?

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Great question!! Unfortunately, there really isn’t anyone monitoring that. 😔 I would just make sure to block them and go with your gut.

[@bartermania]

When they refer to anything as “item” it’s a dead giveaway also. Hope Boss is going well! ✌️☘️

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Aaaah! Good tip! What a giveaway! Thanks for watching!! ☘️🐿️💖

[@jennielee3977]

Why is that suspicious? I would call things items. I worked in retail 32 years.

[@bartermania]

@@jennielee3977it is suspicious when you get a message that says “ im interested in your ITEM, without referring to what is being sold directly. In other words, its a cookie cutter template message they are using because tbey are lazy to adjust specifically . I hope that cleared it up. ✌️☘️

[@AJj_haynes]

Yo I know this is not too related to your video but I should warn everyone hear that I have noticed that people are using AI generated images to sell products now be careful out there everyone and by the way good video I'll be sure to tell my mum the information you said 👍

[@ARuralSquirrel]

That’s a great tip! I’ll talk about that in another one soon!! Thanks so much!

[@biancabackatit]

Caramel - Suzanne Vega

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Thanks for your comment

[@dracojensei1141]

Not only seller scams buyer scam also

[@ARuralSquirrel]

So true!! Just have to be cautious for sure!

[@goofball111]

DON'T USE FB MARKET!! You see problem solved!

[@ARuralSquirrel]

LOL!

[@mariuszwolny4909]

Hi, I just had such situation on facebook and unfortunately i gave them my data to transfer as account number and sort code, address my email and phone number. I know now it was stupid but please tell me now what they can do with this details. And what i should do to protect myself ?

[@ARuralSquirrel]

It’s really important to never give out that info online! That’s the key to protecting yourself!

[@streamingsisters7652]

Yes, all of what you said and LOOK at their profile. Usually its not normal and from another foreign country.

[@maryanderson2759]

Just meet up at the police station

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Finding a designated meetup point that the local authorities sponsor is the best place, for sure!

[@saniya7649]

I got scammed today. 😭😭

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Ohhhhh noooo!!!

[@saniya7649]

@@ARuralSquirrel these people work in groups , another user tried to scam me , therefore, I left the number of Hamburg police.

[@saniya7649]

@@ARuralSquirrel but I went to the police station lodged a complain and gave the scammer the number of Hamburg police, false email id. One thing is clear that these people work in groups and he or she wasn't operating from Germany but from other European country. The cop showed me the bank account that the scammer forwarded it to me. That bloody scammer was expecting that I will transfer him 1000 euro. 🤣🤣🤣I was at the police station

[@Leik2487]

Hi when sold an item facemarket ask you who sold they know their messages thru messenger so we just answer them yes sold on facemarket or rather not answer, thanks for the inf.

[@prescottlange]

Get to the effing point.

[@ARuralSquirrel]

It’s just a 3 minute video. 🎶“You need to calm down”🎶

[@prescottlange]

@@ARuralSquirrel That's the point, should be a 1-minute video. So relax.

[@SoloSi2024]

As the tables turn, and buyers go into the ascendency, how about this: an item.marked available has this in the drscription: 'Relisted due to a time waster'. I then express an interest, and it takes a week for a reply to come through....😂

[@ARuralSquirrel]

Hahahahhaa!! The irony!