Marketplace Scams: Fraud on Facebook, eBay and Classified Sites

On Facebook Marketplace, eBay and classified sites, buyers and sellers face different risks. A seller may receive a fake payment receipt; a buyer may be asked to pay for an item they cannot inspect. The useful question is what you can verify independently before sending money or releasing goods.

A low price, quick offer, courier request or new profile is a reason to pause, not proof of fraud. Established accounts can also be compromised. Keep the conversation on the platform and follow its current transaction rules. Scamwatch's buying and selling guidance explains the common patterns.

If you are buying

1. Check the item and seller before paying. For a local sale, inspect the item where practical and confirm its condition and identity. Do not let a deadline or competing-buyer story pressure you into an unverified deposit. For a shipped purchase, check the platform's checkout, delivery and dispute arrangements.
2. Check the actual payment terms. A listing on a familiar platform does not, by itself, establish buyer protection. Check the options offered to you and the rules for your location, item and transaction before paying. Do not follow a seller's external link to an unfamiliar payment or escrow service.
3. Plan the meeting. Choose a well-lit, populated place, preferably in daylight, and consider bringing someone. Some police stations offer designated exchange sites; check your local police website first. Victoria Police lists selected locations. A meeting place or cash payment does not guarantee that an item is genuine or that the exchange is safe.

If you are selling

1. Verify payment in your own account. Open your bank or payment-provider app directly and check the transaction and its status. An email, screenshot or the buyer's phone display is not proof that you received money.
2. Do not release goods on a payment promise. Check any hold, eligibility and delivery requirements with your payment provider. Even money that appears in an account can sometimes be reversed; the display alone is not a guarantee of final payment.
3. Pause unexpected overpayments. Do not send an alleged excess to a courier, a different account or through another payment method. Contact your own provider through its genuine app or independently found details. If a payment really was made by mistake, use its verified correction process rather than the stranger's instructions.
4. Protect account access. Do not share passwords or verification codes, approve an unexpected login, or pay an alleged account-upgrade fee to receive the buyer's money.

PayPal's scam guidance covers fake invoices and payment requests, shipping and overpayment tricks, including payments made with stolen funds that can later be withdrawn. For Australian account-upgrade claims, see our PayID scam guide.

Three fictional examples

These illustrate warning signs, not confirmed incidents or accusations against real users.

What PayPal protection does and does not mean

Goods & Services does not guarantee reimbursement. PayPal Australia's Buyer Protection policy has eligibility, item exclusions, evidence and dispute requirements. Check these before paying, especially for vehicle purchases or collection in person. Personal payments, including Friends & Family, are excluded from that programme.

Seller Protection is a separate programme with its own transaction and proof requirements. Do not assume that a method offering possible buyer protection automatically protects the seller. Read the current terms applicable to your account and transaction; marketplace features and protections can differ between countries.

If something has gone wrong

If you sent money or shared card details, contact your bank, card issuer or payment provider immediately through a trusted route. Ask about securing the account and any stopping, recall or dispute options. ASIC Moneysmart explains card chargebacks and payment disputes; recovery depends on the circumstances and is not guaranteed.

Keep the listing, messages and transaction records privately, and report the account or listing through the platform's own reporting controls. In Australia, report the scam to Scamwatch. If you entered a password, shared a code or installed software, use the damage-control checklist for the relevant next steps. Reporting does not replace urgent contact with your provider.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and review date

Reviewed 4 September 2026. The linked Scamwatch, PayPal, Victoria Police and ASIC Moneysmart guidance was checked for this revision. PayPal Australia's Buyer Protection page states an update of 1 July 2024; Seller Protection states 13 January 2025. Follow the current terms for your own provider and country.