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Staying safe on Facebook Marketplace

Journalist: Emma Lunn, Freelance

ended 12. August 2025

Looking for expert comments from shopping/consumer/personal finance/tech experts about staying safe from scams while buying or selling on Facebook. i.e. how can you make sure you receive the money for items you sell, and that items you buy are legit? What red flags should buyers/sellers watch out for? Any items you should never buy on Facebook Marketplace?

It's for Saga, so comments should be aimed at over 50s.

UK-based humans (non-AI) only please.

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Editor
Scott Gallacher
Director at Rowley Turton
Whether buying or selling, by sure to check out the other person's profile. Recently added profiles are a red flag and I would avoid these.

When buying, if the deals too good to be true, just skip it.

Beware of sellers that try and steer you away from Facebook to make payments or complete the purchase as you may find yourself outside of the protections that Facebook offers. Remember that's part of unscrupulous sellers plans to rip you off.

If selling, beware of those that pay in advance but collect in person. Ask for a receipt from them when they collect the item. Otherwise they can claim they never received it, and as you won't have any proof of postage or delivery, they get a refund from PayPal, etc and leave you with nothing.