Local classifieds work best when both sides can see the item and exchange cash. Scammers reverse that: they will “buy” your sofa, bike or phone without ever standing in the same car park. They invent a courier, a moving company, or a friend who will collect later. Payment arrives as a screenshot, a fake confirmation email, an overpayment “for shipping”, or a cheque that looks good for a few days. The FTC’s advice for online sellers is still the baseline — do not accept a mobile payment from someone you do not know as proof of sale, and never deposit a cheque for more than the asking price then send the difference back.
Shipping tricks are the second act. You are told to pack the item, hand it to a driver who texts you, or post it to an address that changes at the last minute. Sometimes the “buyer” asks you to buy labels with their link, or to add gift cards “for the carrier”. Once the goods leave your hands, reverse logistics are your problem. Facebook’s own marketplace guidance flags fake payment screenshots and overpayment refunds as common seller traps; if the person will not use the platform’s recommended flow or a face-to-face cash meet for a local listing, you are negotiating with a script.
Keep the rule boring. No meet, no cash (or no verified in-app payout you can see in your own account), no hand-over. Ignore pressure about “my driver is already nearby”. If you already shipped or refunded an overpayment, save the chat, tracking numbers and bank records, tell your bank, report the profile on the marketplace, and start at Get help. Cold messages offering to chase the buyer for a fee belong on Fake recovery.
This article is for general information only. It is not legal or financial advice. Details change. If you have lost money, contact your bank or card issuer and use the routes on the help pages.