How do I buy and sell responsibly on Facebook?
Facebook.com on mobile browsers is in the process of being updated. See more
Facebook.com on mobile browsers is in the process of being updated. We'll be adding updated instructions to the Help Centre for features that are available on mobile browsers. Check again over the coming months. See less
When shopping on Facebook, please make sure that you are logged in to the real Facebook website.
If you see any signs of suspicious activity, immediately cancel the transaction, report the listing or person, and call the local authorities if necessary.
To help promote your safety, we encourage you to review the following tips for buying and selling responsibly, in addition to using your best judgement:
Meeting in person
Meeting in person
Note: You can also use a delivery option or a pick-up or drop-off service that works for you.
We suggest following the guidance from your local health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) for how to stay healthy and help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) while buying and selling items.
When buying and selling during this time, please follow local guidelines on physical distancing and staying home.
If you're meeting someone in person, we recommend arranging your meeting in a public, well-lit area. Create and share your meeting plan with a trusted friend or family member through Messenger.
Learn more tips for meeting someone in person from Marketplace.
Clean and disinfect items
Clean and disinfect items
Clean and disinfect any item that you intend to sell.
If you buy an item, make sure that you clean it before bringing it into your home.
Learn which items are not allowed on Facebook
Learn which items are not allowed on Facebook
All listings on Facebook need to follow our Commerce Policies.
Information on our ongoing COVID-19 efforts across Facebook can be found in Facebook's Newsroom.
Review the seller's profile
Review the seller's profile
Look at the seller's commerce profile to learn more about the seller. On their profile, you can see friends that you may have in common, review their Marketplace activity, view their other listings and see any ratings that they may have received
Consider delivery options for Marketplace items
Consider delivery options for Marketplace items
Some items on Marketplace are eligible for delivery. This means that you can buy and sell items not just near your location. The seller directly delivers items to the buyer. Learn about the different ways to buy and sell.
If delivery isn't available for an item, you can use a pick-up or drop-off service that works for you.
If you are dispatching an order, confirm that you have received the buyer's payment before you dispatch the item.
Use online payment methods
Use online payment methods
Local pick-up on Marketplace
Local pick-up on Marketplace
Don't transfer money directly into a seller's bank account. Instead, offer to use a secure person-to-person payment site, such as PayPal or sending and receiving money in Messenger.
If you choose to pay electronically using wire transfer or money order solutions, avoid payment links and log in directly through the payment method's website.
Bear in mind that cashier and certified cheques can be counterfeit. Transactions are between the buyer and seller only, and no third-party guarantee should be involved.
Checkout on Facebook
Checkout on Facebook
Instead of messaging the seller to arrange a transaction, you can purchase an item using checkout by tapping Buy now on the Marketplace listing. Eligible purchases are covered by Purchase Protection.
Eligible purchases made with checkout on Facebook are covered by Purchase Protection. Items exchanged in person using cash or other person-to-person payment methods are not eligible. When you use checkout on Facebook, our team can mediate disputes, as we can review details about the order.
Be cautious of emails directly from the seller telling you that there was something wrong with your payment through checkout on Facebook. You can view your payment history on Facebook in Activity.
Communicate on Facebook
Communicate on Facebook
Avoid communicating with buyers or sellers privately outside of Facebook. Having a record of your conversations will be helpful in case there is a problem with the purchase or payment later.
Protect your privacy
Protect your privacy
Don't share your financial information (e.g. PayPal login and password, bank account info) or unnecessary personal information with buyers or sellers.
Don't respond to messages or emails that ask you to provide verification codes or account information, such as your email address and password. Facebook will never ask you for your password. Learn more about what to do if you receive a suspicious email or message that looks like it came from Facebook.
If you're selling electronics, make sure that you've cleared any personal information from the device.
Confirm fair pricing
Confirm fair pricing
We encourage buyers to compare prices before buying an item.
Don't agree to requests to make additional payments for postage or other previously unlisted charges from the seller after the transaction is complete.
Reject overpayments from buyers for items, especially if the buyer asks to be reimbursed for overpayment. Requests like this are often part of a counterfeit cashier's cheque scheme.
Be wary of gift card scams
Be wary of gift card scams
Don't provide gift card details (such as the claim code) for payment to someone you don't know and avoid sales or transactions requiring you to pay specifically with gift cards.
Don't buy gift cards on Marketplace.
Verify the item before paying or sending a deposit
Verify the item before paying or sending a deposit
If you're buying an item, we recommend that you inspect any items you buy to make sure that they're genuine. For high-value items (e.g. watches, luxury bags), you can request a certificate of authenticity or proof of purchase.
Do not send deposits for flats to rent without having seen the flat in person first.
Don't buy or sell recalled items
Don't buy or sell recalled items
In many places, it's illegal to sell recalled items. If you're unsure whether the item you're buying or selling has been recalled, look on the website of the item's manufacturer for this information.
Look out for counterfeit items
Look out for counterfeit items
It's illegal to sell counterfeit items in most countries and counterfeits aren't allowed on Facebook. We recommend that you review any items that you buy to make sure they're genuine. Learn more about counterfeit items and how Facebook helps protect against counterfeits.
Be cautious when buying or selling cars
Be cautious when buying or selling cars
Double-check deals that seem too good to be true. Scammers may try to use under-priced items to lure buyers into a scam. Before purchasing a car, you can check industry tools or other trusted sites to have an idea of what you would expect to pay for a similar car.
You can also try getting a vehicle history report and arranging a car inspection before buying.
If you're a seller, be careful about bouncing cheques from buyers or paying for fake transport or insurance costs for your vehicle.
Learn more from gov.uk about getting the vehicle's history and making sure you're not buying a stolen vehicle.
