Fake Listings & More: Shreveport’s Guide to Safe Facebook Marketplace Shopping

Recently, my laptop died. So, I'm in the market for a new computer. And while I was scrolling Facebook, I got served a bunch of stuff for sale on Facebook Marketplace. And the first image - you guessed it - a new-ish Apple MacBook located near Barksdale Air Force Base for a great price.

And, for better or worse, my first thought was "Man, that's a good deal, but I don't feel like getting robbed this week". We've all seen the news - crime is ALWAYS a topic of discussion in Shreveport-Bossier. So, I passed on sending the person a message about said laptop.

But, I got to thinking today - is it really that unsafe to buy stuff off of Facebook Marketplace or is that just a misconception?

Separating Real Bargains from Potential Risks

Yes, nationally speaking, people regularly get ripped on Facebook Marketplace. From scammers to armed robbery, it does happen. A quick Google Search can make you never want to ever use Marketplace or Craigslist or the Want Ads to buy stuff ever again.

That's the perception. However, for every criminal, there's probably 30 people just trying to sell their stuff without having an old school yard sale. So while there is risk, overall, there's a lot of good people trying to do the right thing.

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So, how do you separate criminals from the good folks? There's some behavior that should immediately shutdown any conversation. Here's some red flags to look for according to Facebook:

• People that push you to move quickly to complete a sale, or pressure you to complete the sale immediately. This can be an attempt to get around any normal safe practices.
• The seller/buyer needs to contact someone else - a relative, friend, whatever.
• They immediately want to communicate with you off of Facebook Messenger

Your Shreveport Safety Checklist: A Step-by-Step Guide to Smart Buying

So, you found an item your in love with an absolutely want to buy. What can you do to ensure your safety and to protect yourself from any potential abuse?

There are some steps to take to protect yourself. This list is an amalgamation from multiple places including Warwick Credit Union & Business Insider:

• Check the seller/buyer's profile. If they haven't been very active or it looks brand new, there's a good chance the person isn't who they say they are. Marketplace has a rating system - if they have ZERO feedback or a lot in a short period of time, it should be a red flag that something is off.
• Keep all contact on Facebook Messenger. If they push to get you off of Facebook, they could be trying to run a scam.
• If a deal sounds too good to be true...it probably is.
• Meet in a VERY public place. A mall, a business. SPD has a 'safe exchange' location for residents to use. Heck, just meeting at the Sheriff's Office or Police station period could be a deterrent for someone trying to rip you off. Be public and bring a friend if you can.
• Use cash at the exchange. If someone is pushing you to "prepay", they're probably going to take your money and run. If you are going the digital transaction route, use something like PayPal that has built in scam protection.
• Playing off the previous point, inspect whatever it is you're buying before exchanging the money. Make sure it's legit and functional. Avoid any attempts to 'ship' or drop off the item to you.
• The most important tip - trust your gut. If something feels off, don't go through with it.

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Obviously, none of this is 'fool proof' so to speak. Even the smartest and most digital savvy people get ripped off. I can admit that I for sure have fallen victim to scams before - even with being extremely cautious and a bit pessimistic. But, the steps listed above can help mitigate some of the inherent danger that comes along with meeting a stranger from the internet in person.