In the ever-growing world of social media comes ever-growing scams. These can be seen in a number of different ways, for example, Facebook Marketplace scams. Scammers can often pose as a regular person on Marketplace, but in reality, are just another common scammer. Scams to watch for include:

Vehicle scams. A “seller” lists a vehicle at a price far below market value. They will request payment upfront before you are able to see or test drive the vehicle.

Rental Scam. A listing for a rental property becomes available. The “seller” requests a security deposit or a fee to “hold” the property. Often, these properties are not even up for rental and the real owner is unaware.

Gravel scams. The “seller” offers gravel to be delivered to the victim’s residence. The “seller” uses a stolen credit card to purchase the gravel and when the transaction is disputed, leaves the buyer with the bill.

When making deals online, be mindful of red flags. If the “seller” refuses to meet first, demands payment right away, or has a new or blank profile, these are often signs of a scam. We encourage anyone in need of a safe place to sell items to use safe exchange zones. This can be done at the Ford T. Humphrey Public Safety Building, located at 1225 Courthouse Road. If you believe you have been the victim of a scam like these, report it to the Sheriff’s Office and the social media platform the offense occurred on.