Facebook is the most popular social media platform, with already 2.94 billion monthly active users worldwide in 2022. Facebook hosts too much information, so hackers see it as an ideal place to commit crimes. With one of Facebook’s creations, the Marketplace, the number of users who use the platform to market products has increased. Whether you are looking for a new baby crib or a designer handbag, you can find what you need right in the Marketplace at a reasonable cost. At least most of the time.
While most Facebook Marketplace users are honest people selling actual items, many scammers try to appear as genuine customers and sellers.
You may wonder: I got scammed on Facebook what can I do. Well, not everything is terrible. Depending on your situation, you can take several actions to get your money back. So, if you are an active user of the Facebook Marketplace, you should be aware of the risks involved.
Contact the authorities:
If you are the victim of a crime, start by contacting your local law enforcement before contacting Facebook. In addition, you should alert the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Check the purchase protection policy:
Once you have contacted the authorities, return to Facebook. Facebook has recently implemented a Purchase Protection policy to guard users against scammers.
The Facebook Purchase Protection policy protects customers in the following cases:
- You didn’t receive your order.
- The product was different from what was advertised. It was damaged or different.
- The seller broke Facebook’s refund policy.
- The scammer purchased without your permission (i.e., you can show that your account was hacked or someone else made the purchase under false pretenses).
Request Facebook a refund:
Obtaining a refund from Facebook payments can take time and effort. If the seller does not respond to your attempts at contact, you can request a refund from Facebook. The process of getting a refund differs depending on how was made the original purchase. The only time Facebook will give you a Marketplace refund is if you used the onsite checkout feature, which means your purchase is covered under Facebook’s Purchase Protection Policy. Facebook doesn’t have onsite checkout available for all items in the Marketplace, and it isn’t accessible in all countries.
If you used PayPal to send your Marketplace payment and were not happy with the purchase, some buyers have reported successfully receiving refunds.
Report the Facebook scammer:
To stop potential scammers, you should report them to Facebook.
To report a person on Facebook Marketplace:
- Go to the Marketplace icon on your screen’s left side.
- Find their listing and select the seller’s name to report a person.
- Select the “More Options” button and choose “Report Seller.”
- Follow the instructions to finish the report.
You must send any available evidence you have of the scam. If Facebook sides with you, Facebook will block the seller from their account and be unable to log in.
Final thoughts
If you are scammed on Facebook Marketplace, it is essential to remain calm and take the appropriate steps to get your money back. Whether this means contacting the authorities or reporting the seller to Facebook, there are measures you can take to ensure that you receive a fair resolution. So, don’t hesitate – to stay vigilant, be proactive, and protect yourself online!​
