$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Facebook Marketplace non-delivery scam
Sellers on Facebook Marketplace list popular items at attractive prices, collect payment through non-reversible methods, and never ship the goods.
“online shopping scam”
↑ 184%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$120
median reported loss
Typical range$24 – $1.2K
Recovery rate~40%
Annual reports370,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers list in-demand items like electronics, furniture, or vehicles at below-market prices
2
They build urgency by claiming multiple buyers are interested and demanding immediate payment
3
After payment is sent through non-reversible methods, the seller blocks the buyer and disappears
What to do first
Use Facebook's built-in checkout and shipping protection for all Marketplace transactions
Related terms
Marketplace ghost sellerFacebook buy-sell scamMarketplace non-delivery fraudOnline shopping scamsFacebookSurgingOnline shoppersLocal buyersBargain huntersSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersMilitary and veteransUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaMarketplace ghost sellerFacebook buy-sell scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Carlos, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate online shopping scams situation while using Facebook. Scammers list in-demand items like electronics, furniture, or vehicles at below-market prices
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They build urgency by claiming multiple buyers are interested and demanding immediate payment
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: After payment is sent through non-reversible methods, the seller blocks the buyer and disappears
The outcome
Carlos realized something was wrong when seller insists on payment via zelle, cash app, or gift cards instead of facebook checkout. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Use Facebook's built-in checkout and shipping protection for all Marketplace transactions Carlos's experience shows why seller insists on payment via zelle, cash app, or gift cards instead of facebook checkout and profile was recently created or has no friends, posts, or activity history are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Seller insists on payment via Zelle, Cash App, or gift cards instead of Facebook checkout
- Profile was recently created or has no friends, posts, or activity history
- Seller refuses to meet in person for local pickup or video call to verify the item
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Use Facebook's built-in checkout and shipping protection for all Marketplace transactions
- ✓Meet in a public place for local exchanges and inspect items before paying
- ✓Report the listing and seller profile to Facebook immediately
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The BBB Scam Tracker consistently ranks online purchase scams as the most reported scam type, with Facebook Marketplace among the top platforms cited
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Use Facebook's built-in checkout and shipping protection for all Marketplace transactions
- ✓Meet in a public place for local exchanges and inspect items before paying
- ✓Report the listing and seller profile to Facebook immediately
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The BBB Scam Tracker consistently ranks online purchase scams as the most reported scam type, with Facebook Marketplace among the top platforms cited
BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Online shoppers, Local buyers, Bargain hunters
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Facebook — Online shopping scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Online shoppers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The BBB Scam Tracker consistently ranks online purchase scams as the most reported scam type, with Facebook Marketplace among the top platforms cited
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about facebook marketplace non-delivery scam
How does the facebook marketplace non-delivery scam work?+
Scammers list in-demand items like electronics, furniture, or vehicles at below-market prices They build urgency by claiming multiple buyers are interested and demanding immediate payment After payment is sent through non-reversible methods, the seller blocks the buyer and disappears
What are the warning signs of facebook marketplace non-delivery scam?+
Seller insists on payment via Zelle, Cash App, or gift cards instead of Facebook checkout Profile was recently created or has no friends, posts, or activity history Seller refuses to meet in person for local pickup or video call to verify the item
What should I do if I encounter facebook marketplace non-delivery scam?+
Use Facebook's built-in checkout and shipping protection for all Marketplace transactions Meet in a public place for local exchanges and inspect items before paying Report the listing and seller profile to Facebook immediately
Who is most at risk for facebook marketplace non-delivery scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Local buyers, Bargain hunters. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Facebook.
Is facebook marketplace non-delivery scam getting worse?+
Facebook Marketplace non-delivery scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.