From the Bureau:

Facebook Marketplace can be a great place to find deals on items for sale in your area. But like any online classified site, watch for warning signs before handing over any money.

The Better Business Bureau is seeing reports of Facebook Marketplace scams in BBB Scam Tracker and as reported in conversations with BBB staff. There has been a marked increase of these types of scams, especially for big-ticket items like commercial equipment, used cars and RVs.

How the scam works

While shopping on Facebook Marketplace, a listing that looks like a good deal is identified so the prospective buyer contacts the seller. The seller replies by saying that she or he is out of the country, in the military or otherwise unavailable. Instead, the person states that they are using eBay, Amazon or another reputable third-party company to sell and ship the item.

The seller assures the prospective buyer that they will have a chance to inspect and approve the purchase. However, the buyer must first wire transfer money or send funds via prepaid debit card to “Amazon” or “eBay,” which will act as an escrow service.

If the buyer is unhappy with a purchase, the item can simply be returned without any charge for a full refund. Since the transaction seems to be handled via a well-known site, the victim complies.

Unfortunately, both the third-party service and the seller are a con. The car or other item doesn’t exist. Some scammers have gone as far as creating convincing fake invoices and documentation from “Amazon” or “eBay,” stealing their logos to make the paperwork look real.

This is only one example of the many forms that a Facebook Marketplace scam might take. However, the result is always the same: to separate the victim from their money.

How to avoid the scam

Bobby Hansen is regional director for the Better Business Bureau Cedar Rapids office. Comments: (319) 365-1190; info@dm.bbb.org.