How to stay safe on Facebook Marketplace

A Marketplace profile can give you some useful context before you arrange a meeting.

Look at the account as a whole. Does it have some history? Does the name seem consistent with the person you're speaking to? Are there previous listings, ratings or other signs that the account has actually been used?

A new or private account isn't automatically suspicious. Plenty of genuine people have limited public profiles.

You're looking for things that don't add up, not trying to prove somebody is trustworthy from their Facebook account.

Don't let the pressure of somebody supposedly waiting, travelling or needing an item urgently rush you into accepting a payment you can't confirm.

Check that money has actually arrived through your own banking or payment service rather than relying on a screenshot, email or message supplied by the other person.

Be particularly cautious if somebody wants you to send money back, pay a fee to receive their payment, buy gift cards or transfer money outside the transaction.

If the payment arrangement suddenly becomes complicated, stop and work out why before handing anything over.

For smaller items, meeting somewhere public can be an easy option.

Choose somewhere populated and convenient where both people can arrive and leave independently.

Some communities also have designated safe exchange locations. Police stations, council facilities and other public locations are sometimes used for this purpose depending on where you live.

For larger items, meeting publicly may simply not be practical. A sofa or washing machine isn't going to a café.

That's when knowing a little more about the person coming to your property becomes particularly useful.

Selling from home changes the situation because you're giving somebody information you can't take back afterwards: where you live.

You don't need to be frightened of every buyer who comes to collect something. But it makes sense to think about the handover before they arrive.

Where possible, have the item ready near the entrance, garage or another suitable area so there is no reason for a buyer to move unnecessarily through your home.

If you're uncomfortable being there alone, arrange the pickup for a time when somebody else is home or let someone know who is coming and when.

You also don't need to give out your exact address at the beginning of the conversation. You can agree on the general area first and provide the collection address once the details are settled.

The same basic considerations work in reverse.

Make sure somebody knows where you're going, particularly if you're travelling to an unfamiliar address.

If possible, arrange collection during daylight or at a reasonable hour. Keep control of your own transport and don't feel obligated to enter somebody's home if you aren't comfortable doing so.

For an item that needs to be inspected inside, take somebody with you if that makes sense.

If you arrive and the situation is substantially different from what was arranged, you can leave.

A great price can make people overlook things they normally wouldn't.

If you're buying something expensive, take enough time to check the item and the transaction properly before paying.

If you're selling, don't let somebody pressure you into handing an item over before you can independently confirm payment.

There will be other buyers and other listings.

Stop the transaction.

You can leave, ask the other person to leave, move to a public place or contact somebody you trust.

If somebody refuses to leave your property, threatens you, or you believe there is an immediate risk to your safety, contact the appropriate emergency service or police in your location.

You can also report suspicious accounts, listings or behaviour through Facebook Marketplace.

Most buying and selling between strangers works because both people want the same simple outcome: one person gets the item and the other gets paid.

A few precautions can help keep it that simple.

Know what you're buying or selling, confirm the payment yourself, think about where the exchange will happen and, when it matters, establish who you're actually meeting.

If a buyer or seller needs to come to your home, see is it safe to give someone you met online your address?

Explore more safety guides