Fake Medical Equipment Scams on Facebook
How Facebook Marketplace and Facebook Groups are used to sell counterfeit, non-functional, or simply non-existent medical equipment to patients and caregivers.
Part of: Fake Medical Equipment Scams
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
People searching for medical equipment — wheelchairs, CPAP machines, mobility aids, glucose monitors, hearing aids — are often in urgent need and operating under significant financial pressure, as genuine medical equipment can be very expensive. Facebook Marketplace and Facebook Groups focused on medical equipment sales, disability communities, and caregiving networks create an accessible second-hand market that genuine sellers use legitimately.
Fraudsters insert themselves into this market with listings for equipment at prices below what retailers charge, presenting stolen product photos and plausible descriptions. Some sell non-functional or counterfeit devices. Others accept payment and send nothing. A category of more dangerous scam involves devices that are real but not fit for their advertised purpose — for example, a consumer oxygen concentrator marketed as a clinical-grade unit.
The harm ranges from financial loss to genuine medical risk if the buyer relies on inadequate equipment.
How this scam works on Facebook
A listing appears in Facebook Marketplace or a medical equipment group offering a well-known brand of medical device — a CPAP machine, power wheelchair, or hearing aid — at a significantly reduced price. The photos are convincing, often sourced from the genuine manufacturer's website or a legitimate retailer listing.
The seller communicates through Messenger and may be willing to answer questions in detail, having researched the product. They state the equipment is lightly used or was purchased for a family member who no longer needs it. Payment is requested via bank transfer, Zelle, or Venmo — payment methods with limited buyer protection — before the item ships or is collected.
After payment, the item either does not arrive, arrives in a condition significantly different from the listing, or turns out to be a counterfeit or incompatible model. Medical equipment counterfeit scams are particularly dangerous when the device is one a patient depends on, such as a nebuliser or insulin pump accessory.
Common red flags
- Price significantly below what the equipment costs from a registered medical supplier
- Seller requests payment via bank transfer or peer-to-peer apps with no buyer protection
- Photos appear to be professional manufacturer images rather than photos of the actual item
- Seller is unwilling to video-call to show the equipment working in real time
- Facebook account is new or has no prior activity in medical or related communities
- Seller pressures for a quick decision, citing other interested buyers
How to protect yourself
- Purchase medical equipment only from licensed retailers or reputable certified refurbishers
- If buying second-hand, insist on seeing the device working in person before handing over payment
- Ask for the serial number and verify it with the manufacturer before buying
- Use a payment method with buyer protection such as a credit card
- Verify that any clinical-grade device meets the required medical standards before use
How to report it
- Report the listing to Facebook using the 'Report listing' option on the Marketplace post
- File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Report counterfeit medical devices to the FDA's MedWatch program (US) or your country's medical device regulator
- If payment was made, contact your bank or payment provider to report fraud
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy second-hand medical equipment at all?
Second-hand medical equipment can be safe if purchased from licensed refurbishers, reputable organisations like disability charities, or through in-person verified sales. The key risk on Facebook is the combination of no buyer protection and no way to verify the seller's credibility.
I received equipment that is not what was advertised. What can I do?
If you paid by credit card, initiate a chargeback immediately. Report the transaction to Facebook and file a fraud report with the FTC. If the device is a medical device, report the counterfeit to your national medical regulator.