Rachel Cruze: 11 Red Flags To Watch Out For on Facebook Marketplace

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Selling your stuff can be an ideal way to bring in some extra cash to help pay off your debt since you likely have things you no longer need around your home.

However, it’s worth pointing out that various scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace could cost you to lose money. Rachel Cruze shared a video revealing the red flags to watch out for on Facebook Marketplace so that you don’t get scammed. 

Red Flag #1: New Facebook Account

Most people will have an established Facebook account, so you should be suspicious if you see a brand-new account.

Red Flag #2: Instant Interest

If someone has an instant interest in your listed item or they want to communicate off the platform, then this is a warning sign. 

Red Flag #3: A Deal That Seems Too Good

If it seems too good to be true, it usually is, and you should be skeptical about ridiculous offers. A scammer will post an absurd deal to attract attention.

Red Flag #4: Getting Overpaid

If they pay you too much and ask you to send the difference, be careful. This could be a scam since you may be unable to cash the original payment. Someone should pay you the exact amount through the payment method that you’re comfortable with. 

Red Flag #5: Getting Offered A Substitute

If you inquire about one product but get offered a different one, this is likely a scam since you’re not getting what you wanted. 

Red Flag #6: Lost Package 

This scammer will claim that they never received a package, and they’ll ask you for a refund. You should be cautious when someone tries to say that the package has been lost because you don’t want to lose your money and the product.

Red Flag #7: Sense of Urgency

If the person on the other end has a strange or usual sense of urgency, you should keep your guard up. You don’t want to get rushed into deciding on a sale. 

Red Flag #8: They Refuse to Meet In Person

They might try to scam you if they don’t want to meet in person. You should think twice about someone unwilling to meet up to pick up the item. 

Red Flag #9: Poor Grammar 

If the person isn’t using proper grammar or spelling, it should sound an alarm about the account’s legitimacy. 

Red Flag #10: Unconventional Payment Methods

If they want to use Western Union or any payment method that’s not simple or common, you should stay clear of this person. It should be easy, not complicated, to collect a payment. 

Red Flag #11: Vague Messages 

You’ll want to be suspicious if the messages are strangely vague or hard to understand because they could be a scammer. 

While there’s money to be made from buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace, you want to watch out for these red flags so that you don’t have a poor experience that leads to you wanting to quit.

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