Attention, parents: Facebook Marketplace is a goldmine for deals on kids’ clothes and toys. In the search bar, type in what you need, like “baby gate.” Press enter and hit Notify Me so you’ll know when something pops up. Under Categories, click Free Stuff and check there, too. Remember, free doesn’t always mean safe. Check for recalls.
5 things that make you a target online
Too many people share just about everything online. That’s a one-way ticket to Scamtown. Some info makes you an especially prime target. Keep these close to the vest.
1. Your relationship status
Widows and widowers are big targets. Crooks want to get their grimy hands on inheritance money. Take Rosalie Douglass, who tried her hand at online dating and listed “widow” as her relationship status. Two different scammers connected with Rosalie and swindled her out of a staggering $430,000.
Pro tip: If you’re a widow or widower, keep it off your dating and social media apps. You never know who’s watching.
2. Your vacation plans
Tiffany posted about her family’s upcoming Carnival cruise on Facebook by sharing shots of her tickets. She didn’t think about the fact her booking reference number was included. The same day, a scammer created a new Carnival account using Tiffany’s confirmation number. They canceled her booking and ruined her $15,000 trip.
Pro tip: Announcing your vacation plans before or during your trip screams “Rob me!” Take tons of pics on your vacation, but don’t share them until you’re home.
3. Videos of you talking
AI tools make it cheap and easy for anyone to create a deepfake video. Recently, on TikTok, a woman named Sam said a shady brand stole her face and used it to promote their product. They did it all with a video from her social media account and some deepfake software.
Pro tip: Limit the personal information you share online, especially high-quality photos and videos of you talking. For most folks, setting your social media accounts to “private” is the way to go.
4. Expensive electronics you’re selling
A South Carolina man listed a limited-edition PlayStation on a Facebook buy-sell-trade group. The “buyer” he met up with pulled out a gun and made off with the PlayStation, plus the man’s phone, wallet and watch. Scary.
How to score cheap stuff (to keep or resell)
How often do you buy a bunch of stuff online, planning to only keep your favorites? I shop for clothes this way, for sure — and I’m not the only one. Returns cost retailers $743 billion last year.
Ex-con man Frank Abagnale on AI
He’s one of the most famous imposters ever. Now, he says, artificial intelligence is going to bring on a whole new wave of scams. Plus, a dangerous selfie fail, social media sperm donors, and robberies on Facebook Marketplace.
⚾ Talk about a home run: A collector bought a trunk of old baseball magazines for $75 on Facebook Marketplace and hit the jackpot. Inside were rare Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson collectibles, including Goudey sheets worth over $35,000 and Bond Bread cards. Collecting baseball cards can be ruthless.
Bin stores: Hidden shops full of Amazon, Target, Walmart and Wayfair returns
I went to a bin store the other day. I bought a completely sealed two-foot by two-foot box for $10. Inside my mystery box were four pairs of men’s black socks, a cat bell, two potato peelers, an iPhone stand and a Dallas Cowboys women’s shirt that I got a kick out of. Someone must have made a snap decision to return that.
Bestselling items on Facebook Marketplace - and how to score them
There’s a lot of weird stuff for sale on Facebook Marketplace. It’s not just old strollers, an elliptical that collected dust for three years and a gross old couch. We’re talking drugs and a lot more … adult things.
Find the hidden gems: The next time you search for deals on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or another site, type in the name of a brand you really like. Say I want an outdoor couch. I might type “Restoration Hardware outdoor” instead of scrolling endlessly through junky old stuff.
🏠 Phony landlords: Scammers are flooding Facebook Marketplace with fake rental listings. They use real addresses and legit-looking pics at prices that seem like a steal, and they’ll even let you check it out in person. Major red flag: They’ll demand an application fee upfront via PayPal, Venmo or Zelle.
Everything’s bigger in Texas: A San Antonio man listed a Stealth Bomber aircraft on Facebook Marketplace for $2.9 million. The description includes, “Don’t ask me how I got it” and “You couldn’t imagine the hoops I had to jump through to get this.” The Air Force confirmed the post is, of course, bogus.
More than you bargained for: Robberies are booming on Facebook Marketplace. Thieves bait you with hot items like cars and sneakers, then they jump you when you show up to buy. Step one is checking a seller’s profile to make sure it wasn’t created yesterday. Then, meet in a public place (police stations are best) and always bring a buddy.
You won’t believe the weird stuff for sale on Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a treasure trove for second-hand electronics, furniture and collectibles. In the market for something a little … weirder? Scroll past the old bikes and baby clothes and you’ll be shocked at what’s hidden in plain sight.
Attempted murder and other online-selling horror stories
I don’t mean to frighten you, but there seems to be a disturbing trend when people sell on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or Craigslist. Sure, these platforms are a decent place to make cash, but scary stuff does happen.
Want to make some extra cash this summer?
Who couldn’t use a little extra cash in their pockets? With so many jobs in the modern gig economy, finding work should be easy.
Keep reading for ways to make money on the side.
Check this hidden list to see who has rejected your Facebook friend request
Platforms such as Facebook are great for connecting with long-lost friends. But be careful with friend requests from people you’re not sure of. Tap or click here for three signs an Instagram, Facebook or Twitter account is fake.
Finally! Meta will tell you what you did to land in Facebook jail
Facebook jail is a term used to describe disruptions in an account’s ability to do certain things on the platform. Businesses may have their ads removed or shown to fewer people, often due to spamming and other community standard violations.
Read this before you try to score a deal on Facebook Marketplace
Some social media platforms have made it easy for you to buy stuff from other members. Facebook Marketplace is one of the most popular. The problem is it’s littered with scammers.
Read on for five scams you must know about before buying anything on Facebook Marketplace.
How to declutter and earn some extra cash this January
A brand-new year means one thing around here: a hard reset on everything in our lives. This includes our closet full of things we no longer use. New Year, new us.
Most of your used electronics and other gear shouldn’t just be thrown into the trash. After all, one person’s trash might make another person’s day. Tap or click here for a list of old tech worth big bucks.
How to bring in more income in the new year by selling your stuff
Are you new to the neighborhood or want to connect with your community? Try joining a buy nothing group. Neighbors pass around items for free, which is a great way to save money on things you need and establish rapport. Tap or click here for safe ways to get free stuff from next door.
New Facebook scam banks on you sharing a heartbreaking post
The holidays are upon us, so you’re probably doing some online shopping to complete the endless gift list. Be extra careful this holiday season, as the number of thieves targeting online shoppers is incredibly high. Tap or click here for eight ways to avoid holiday shopping scams.