Non-Delivery Scams on Facebook
Scammers advertise products on Facebook Marketplace, pages, and ads, take payment, then never ship the goods, exploiting buyer trust in social commerce.
Part of: Non-Delivery Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Non-delivery scams thrive on Facebook because buying and selling happens everywhere on the platform — Marketplace listings, shop pages, and sponsored ads. A seller offering a sought-after item at a tempting price can collect payment and simply vanish, leaving the buyer with nothing.
Facebook is a neutral marketplace; the harm comes from individual fraudulent sellers, not the platform. Scammers exploit the casual, social nature of these transactions and the pressure to move off-platform to insecure payment methods that offer the buyer no recourse.
How this scam works on Facebook
A listing or ad promotes a popular product — electronics, tickets, limited stock — at an attractive price, often urging quick action. The seller pushes you to pay by bank transfer or a 'friends and family' method that lacks buyer protection.
After payment, the goods never arrive. The seller stops responding, deactivates the page, or blocks you. New listings reappear under different names to repeat the cycle.
The low price, urgency, and friendly negotiation are designed to move you to an irreversible payment before you can verify the seller or the item exists.
Common red flags
- A listing or ad offers a popular item at an unusually low price
- The seller pushes payment by bank transfer or 'friends and family'
- You are urged to pay quickly to secure 'limited' stock
- The seller resists using protected payment or platform checkout
- The page or profile is new, with few reviews or history
- Communication moves off the platform before payment
How to protect yourself
- Use protected payment methods, never bank transfer or 'friends and family'
- Be wary of prices well below market for in-demand items
- Check the seller's profile age, reviews, and history
- For local items, prefer cash on collection and inspect before paying
- Keep all communication and records within the platform
- Report and avoid sellers who pressure you to pay off-platform
How to report it
- Use Facebook's 'Report' tool on the listing, page, or seller
- Contact your bank or payment provider about recovering the payment
- File a report with your national fraud or cybercrime reporting centre
Frequently asked questions
I paid by bank transfer for an item that never arrived — is there any way to get my money back?
Contact your bank as soon as possible to explain the situation and ask about your options, since recovery may depend on how quickly you report it, though bank transfers generally offer less protection than other payment methods. Also report the seller to Facebook and keep all messages and payment records as evidence.
How do I check a Facebook Marketplace seller's history before paying?
Look at their profile's join date, mutual friends, and any public reviews or ratings tied to their account, keeping in mind a longer history is somewhat reassuring but not a guarantee. For higher-value items, consider requesting a video call or additional photos before committing to payment.
Is it safer to buy through Facebook Marketplace's own checkout instead of contacting a seller directly?
Where available, using the platform's built-in checkout generally offers more protection and a paper trail compared to arranging payment privately outside the platform. Be wary of any seller who pushes you to pay by bank transfer or move the conversation off-platform.
How can I avoid non-delivery scams on Facebook Marketplace?
Use protected payment methods rather than bank transfer, be cautious of prices far below market, check the seller's history, and for local items pay cash on collection after inspecting the goods. Avoid sellers who push you off-platform.