From the Office of the Arkansas Attorney General
With the changing season, many Arkansans begin spring cleaning to offload a few personal items and maybe make a few dollars. Facebook Marketplace has become a popular alternative to easily list items for sale without the hassle of a traditional yard sale.
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge cautions Arkansans to be watchful of scams when using Facebook Marketplace to sell items. Con artists will use every trick in the book to steal money from sellers including sending a fraudulent check for an amount significantly higher than the asking price to cover shipping charges. Then, the buyer’s check bounces, leaving the seller with no item and all the responsibility for paying back the bank.
“Con artists always find opportunities to steal from hard working Arkansans,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Follow my tips so you don’t fall prey to their traps and lose your items and your money.”
Attorney General Rutledge provides the following tips to help keep consumers safe while selling items online:
- Be wary of messages from buyers using fake profiles.
- Do not accept overpayment for your items—especially in a counterfeit cashier’s check.
- Determine if you will ship your item or prefer a local buyer.
- Meet in a safe place. Take precautions when allowing buyers to pick up items from your home.
- Contact your local law enforcement agency to see if it offers a safe exchange location.
- Do not give verification codes from Google to any potential buyer.
Helpful tips on responsible selling on Facebook Marketplace is available by visiting the Facebook Help Center.
For more information about consumer-related issues, contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov.
