bargainguy

I've listed items on Facebook Marketplace on and off for awhile. This latest scam only appeared in the last week or so. Goes like this.

I'll list an item, and very soon after listing (<15 min.), I'll get a msg: "Hi, can I pickup today? Text me at (xxx)xxx-xxxx. Thanks!

First time I got this, texted and asked when they wanted to pick up. They responded, "First, I have to make sure it's you. Can I send you a code?"

My response: "I don't do codes. Thanks for your interest."

I'm guessing they send you a code laced with malware in a phishing attempt.

Since that first msg, I've gotten many in the same vein, just after listing. The difference is now, I only respond to those with a local area code. Out-of-state area codes get blocked, and I move on.

Heads up. I really hate that it comes to this, but if you're in the marketplace, you have to adapt.

dedhed

I do all communication through FB messenger only. no way I'm giving them phone or email

njkayaker

Yes, it’s a scam. There’s no reason to respond to it.

The “send a code” isn’t a “thing” anyway. It’s meant to have you think it’s like the “two factor” stuff you get when logging into your bank (which is a “thing”) so you think they are “serious”.

Don’t go off platform for messages or payments. Don’t let your interest in selling something encourage you to break this rule (this is what the scammers are trying to exploit).

Iride01 

It might well be a scammer. Might also just be someone's idea of fun for the boring life they lead. Seems that more and more I'm hearing the same type things going on with FB marketplace that has been going on with Craigslist for most all of this century if not prior also. Craigslist did provide a way to have conversations about the item for sale without having to disclose phone number or email. I hope FB marketplace does too.

Lately for things that are too big to go in the mail or package delivery, I'm happy just sending them to the scrapyard to be recycled if there are no friends that want it.

ralphs

I never share my phone number with FBM buyers. When they reply within minutes of my posting, it's usually someone that joined in 2023, and they ask for number, ultimately to text a code back or something like that. It's a known scam, somehow they can take control of your profile. Don't know how they do it.
I don't even have people pick up at my house anymore (even for free items); after some unstable person wanted their money back- they changed their mind about a $40 professionally-framed photograph (after taking it home). Said I was a scammer, threatened to call police. "Dude, sorry you changed your mind, I'm not scamming people $40 at a time. Here's your $40, get off my property."

veganbikes

It sounds like a scam to me. I wouldn't give my number out to anyone unless I knew them.

Metieval

After dozen of scam messages. And then people being flakes. I finally sold my bike.

I did start screwing with the scammers.

They have canned responses.

The ad clearly said medium.

They start with saying they are 6'1" what size is bike? It's a medium. They say perfect, then go into the they will send money. Blah blah.

So the next scammer ask, what condition is the bike in. I say it's beat up and abused. The canned response. "Perfect". 😆 lol hahaha

veganbikes

California's got the most of them! Boy they got a host of them...

twogears

Classic. I don't know anything about this scheme, but it sounds like maybe this:

Perp says, they're sending you a code, but actually, they are attempting to login to your account, and the site is sending the code, notifying you of the unknown login attempt.

The only way the scammer gets in is, if he can convince you he is the one sending the code, and that you are reading it back to verify what he has sent. If you read back the code, he is then able to verify he is the owner of your account.

Maelochs

It is indeed a scam. I fell for it the first time I used FB Marketplace because it seemed reasonable .... luckily I have good protection at my various financial institutions and was not harmed.

The fake buyer sets up an account in your name for some fake service, using your email or phone number, and when you send the code you are confirming you want the service .... just as scammers used to try to get people to say "Yes" on the phone so they could record it and play it back to confirm purchases, or change the info on your bank account or whatever. I was signed up for some innocuous-sounding "web services" from some fake company which probably had success because a lot of people didn't notice the monthly withdrawal for a few months .... and have so many "web services" between streaming channels, shopping apps, social media apps .....

I caught on after the second person demanded I send a code or "verify" that I was a real account with a phone number ... even my wife's phone number, or a friend's .... Later I got a notice from my financial protection service and never lost a cent, but well .... snot ... i fell for it the first time.

I don't know why I thought Facebook would try to protect people using Marketplace, but i found about 80% of respondents were scammers. However, I have sold a tone of stuff to the legitimate 20%. Whenever I post something, I know to expect the first hour will be solid scams. As others have said ... we are already communicating via Facebook, no need for any further info exchange. I will meet to in a public place near to the item and I will (on occasion) snap a photo and email it to my wife---sort of "If I don't come home, this is the guy to thank."

fishboat

Thank you!

I never give my phone number out in any listing deal, but I always wondered why I get so many responses of the type, "I'll take it..send me your phone number..". They always seem more interested in my phone number than what I'm selling. When I respond that CL email will do..then I get no response back, which is what I expect. Actually, about 95% of the time, I just delete such initial responses without any reply.