How to avoid the social media scammers when it comes to grabbing an online bargain

Buying online has never been easier – with a huge choice of auction sites and those selling pre-loved items.

One of the most popular has to be Facebook Marketplace, with a ready-made audience of thousands within your own social media geographical network and wider friends group.

But as with many things; the more popular and potentially lucrative the methods of buying and selling, the more appealing to the scammers.

According to a recent report by Lloyds Bank, it has seen a massive 75 per cent increase in people getting scammed when shopping for items including cars, event tickets and clothes on Facebook Marketplace.

And as we are now entering well into the Christmas shopping season, many of us are looking for a bargain – but how do you know if your seller is genuine? Here are some tips:

• Don’t feel pressured into a quick sale. Fraudsters may often say that someone else is interested in order to push the buyer into a quick sale, which in itself can create pressure. Look for local items so you can check them – and meet the seller – before you pay. 

• Fraudsters may share some personal details to convince you they are genuine but may want to pay by bank transfer. Never pay by bank transfer. Pay by debit or credit card to protect your money. 

• Even though a seller may be recommended, having good reviews and followers, it doesn’t make them genuine. Meet them in person and a genuine seller will let you pay in a way that protects your money.

If you are buying on social media or online generally, telling the difference between a good deal and a scam can be difficult.

Fraudsters are very careful to take the time and effort to set up a fake sale – even for low value items.

They may try and tempt buyers with items that are sold out or rare, and the reason why they cannot be found elsewhere at the same price is probably because it is a scam. It is better to pay a little more to a genuine seller than to lose your money,

If you are thinking about buying from a website or company you are unfamiliar with, visit a review site like Trustpilot and look at the experiences of other consumers.

Reporting a scam on Facebook Marketplace

1. Report the listing. Find the specific Marketplace listing you want to report and follow the onscreen instruction.
2. Report the user. Go to the Facebook profile of the user you want to report. Click on the “…” or ‘More Options’ link, usually under their cover photo. Select “Find support or report” and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Record all conversations. Before reporting a user or scam, make sure to save or screenshot any suspicious conversations or transactions.
4. Contact the police. If you’re a victim of a scam, it’s essential to report it to your local police, especially if you’ve lost money or an item with substantial value.
5. Submit feedback to Facebook. If you experience a scam or see a potential loophole that might be exploited by fraudsters, it’s always a good idea to provide feedback to Facebook. Check out Facebook’s official guidelines for staying safe while using Facebook Marketplace(the URL is https://www.facebook.com/help/1156544111079919), so you can avoid scams.

Wishing you a safe and peaceful Christmas ????