Charleston Police warns of Facebook Marketplace scams
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Charleston Police Department is warning the public of a large number of recent Facebook Marketplace scams.
In these scams, criminals are posing as sellers of things like houses, vehicles and other items. The scammers use deceptive tactics to lure buyers into sending money for goods and services that don't actually exist.
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Some of these tactics include:
Fraudulent listings for homes, cars and other high-demand items
Sellers asking for payment via untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. They might also ask you to send money to a third party because they have an issue with receiving payments themselves at the moment
Fake photos and descriptions, sometimes using stolen images from other online listings
Pressure to act quickly, oftentimes claiming that the item will sell fast or that the deal is only available for a short amount of time
Additionally in their Facebook post, Charleston Police is also providing tips on how to protect yourself from scammers, including:
Verify the seller: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it more than likely is. Research the seller, check their profile for legitimacy and ask for more pictures and details about the item
Don't send money upfront: Never send money to someone you haven't met in person or verified through other means. Legitimate sellers will offer secure and common methods of payment
Meet in person: When possible, meet the seller in person in a public location. Inspect the item before any exchange of money
Trust your instincts: If something feels off, walk away from the situation
Report suspicious activity: If you believe the transaction is a scam, report it immediately to Facebook Marketplace and notify local authorities
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'We encourage everyone to stay vigilant and spread the word to help protect our community from these scams,' Charleston Police said in their post. 'Stay safe, and remember—if something doesn't seem right, it's always better to be cautious.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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