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Did you know that more than 1 billion people use Facebook Marketplace every month to discover, buy, or sell items? Or that there are more than 1 million Facebook Shops, with millions of users interacting with these storefronts every day?
Facebook’s future is now all about shopping.
The company launched the feature, which lets businesses create catalogs on their pages in 2016. With a Facebook business shop, users can buy and sell commodities on the Facebook platform without joining a Facebook group.
Sounds fantastic, right?
However, much like any other exchange platform out there, Facebook attracts its share of scammers and swindlers. But there are things you can do to stay safe out there. Here’s how to make a secure purchase in a business Facebook Shop.
1. Use Secure Electronic Service
Unlike the Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Shops provide payment getaways and allow redirecting to the seller’s website or e-commerce store.
If redirected to an e-commerce store from a Facebook page, be sure to use electronic payments for all transactions. Unscrupulous sellers may insist on gift cards or other untraceable payment methods. Steer away from such sellers!
In terms of safety against fraud, PayPal is your best bet. They have better transaction security and will even investigate fraud claims on your behalf.
2. Avoid Transactions That Don’t Involve Local Sellers
In theory, Facebook will only show you the sellers within your area.
You can also tell whether a seller is local or not by checking their profile, including contact information and location.
But, if a “local” seller tells you the product will be shipped from a greater distance away, chances are it will never arrive. This scam is common on the Facebook Marketplace but is also finding its way into Facebook Shops.
Legit Facebook business shops are clear about their shipment and delivery status. For example, a respectable floral retailer will promise to get your flowers delivered on the same day to ensure you get the freshest blooms. They achieve this by eliminating the middleman and only shipping locally.
3. Make Sure the Seller’s Profile Is not a Burner Profile
Some scammers, especially on the Facebook Marketplace, will make a fake profile to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers.
Beware of such sellers!
Always check the seller’s profile to ensure it’s authentic. Make sure they’re located in your area and have mutual friends with you. If they have very few friends or have been on Facebook for a few weeks, that’s a red flag.
If the seller posts regularly and has a lot of friends, this means they probably didn’t make a “burner” profile for selling non-existing items.
If you’re buying on a Facebook business shop, make sure the seller’s profile is verified. You could also check buyers’ reviews to learn more about what other customers are saying about the business.
4. Don’t Divulge Personal Information
We can’t stress this enough! Always protect your personal information.
Fraudulent sellers may ask for your working hours or ask if you have another person who can help with moving a heavy object. A swindler will ask those questions to determine your vulnerability. Questions that may raise a red flag include:
- What are your working hours?
- Are you a single mom?
- Should I personally bring the item to your house?
- Are you comfortable paying in cash?
Fraudsters may ask for such personal information to understand your habits or the layout of your home so they can come and break in when you’re not around. Any legit company will never ask for such information. They will also never ask for your financial information like PayPal login details, bank account info, etc.
Wrapping Up
The internet has become a dangerous place and a hiding ground for fraudsters, and Facebook is no exception. In 2019, for instance, the reported losses resulting from social media shopping scams reached a staggering $134 million.
But with due diligence and extra caution, you can make a safe purchase on a Facebook Shop or marketplace. And these tips will get you there.
