I was scammed on Facebook Marketplace — what do I do?
Report the seller directly to Facebook, dispute any card or PayPal payment, and file with the FTC. Facebook Marketplace has limited buyer protection compared to platforms like eBay.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Facebook Marketplace has grown rapidly and hosts millions of transactions, but it historically offered minimal buyer protection for private-seller transactions. Scams on the platform range from non-delivery of items and counterfeit goods to the Zelle/Venmo overpayment scam and fake vehicle or rental listings.
If you paid by credit or debit card, file a chargeback with your card issuer for non-delivery or misrepresentation. If you paid through Facebook Pay or Meta Pay, report the transaction through the Facebook Help Center and request a refund. Some peer-to-peer Marketplace transactions may qualify for Facebook's Purchase Protection if the transaction was completed through Facebook Checkout — check whether the listing used checkout or directed you off-platform.
If you were directed to pay via Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App outside of the platform, see the dedicated guides for those payment types. Outside-platform payment requests are themselves a major red flag and disqualify you from any platform buyer protection.
Report the seller's Facebook profile using the report function on their profile or listing. Select 'Something went wrong with a purchase or sale.' This flags the account to Facebook's integrity team and can help remove the scammer faster. Also file with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Common red flags
- Seller insists on payment outside the platform via Zelle, Venmo, or gift card
- Item priced far below market value with urgency to sell today
- Seller claims to ship and asks for payment before any exchange
- Profile was created recently and has few or no reviews
- Seller 'accidentally' sends more money than owed and asks for a refund
- Buyer or seller wants to conduct the transaction entirely over WhatsApp
What to do now
- Report the seller's profile and listing to Facebook using the report function
- Dispute the charge with your card issuer or through Facebook Pay if applicable
- File with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- If the item was mislabeled or counterfeit, report to your state consumer protection office
- Review your linked payment accounts for additional unauthorized charges
Frequently asked questions
Does Facebook Marketplace have buyer protection?
Facebook offers Purchase Protection for eligible transactions completed through Facebook Checkout. Transactions handled outside the platform (personal payments, Zelle, etc.) are not covered. Always use Facebook Checkout when available.
What is the Facebook Marketplace Zelle overpayment scam?
A fake buyer contacts you, says they sent too much by accident, and asks you to wire back the difference. The original payment is a scam (often a stolen account or fake payment notification) and your return is real money out of your pocket.