Safe Selling Online

Selling online can be great, but you want your money and your safety intact. Here’s how to protect both when using Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Craigslist.

General Safety Tips (All Platforms)

1. Keep communication on the platform.
   Don’t switch to text or email. Scammers often try to move you off the platform because you lose protection.
2. Never accept overpayments.
   If someone “accidentally” sends extra money and asks you to refund the difference, it’s almost always a scam.
3. Use cash or secure platform payments only.

Avoid:

• Wire transfers
• Gift cards
• Zelle/Venmo for strangers (no seller protection)
• “My cousin will pick it up” and any weird payment methods

4. Don’t share personal info.
   No home address (unless absolutely necessary), no phone number if you can avoid it, no verification codes.
5. Trust your gut.
   If the message feels scripted, rushed, or weirdly urgent, walk away.

Selling on Facebook Marketplace

• Use buyer profiles to your advantage. Brand-new accounts with no photos, posts, or friends? Be cautious.
• For local pickup: meet in a public place, ideally:
  • Police station parking lot (many have designated exchange spots)
  • Busy shopping center under lights near the front entrance
• If they insist on paying before seeing the item and sending a third party? Red flag.

 Selling on eBay

• Ship only to the address listed in the transaction.
• Use tracking—and require signature for higher-value items.
• Photograph the item and packing process for expensive sales.
• Don’t agree to off platform deals to “avoid fees.” You lose seller protection.

eBay actually has solid seller protections—if you follow their rules.

Selling on Craigslist

• Cash is king for local sales.
• Meet in daylight.
• Bring a friend if the item is large or pickup is at your home.
• Don’t let strangers inside your house if you can avoid it—move items to the garage or porch.

Craigslist has the least protection built in, so you have to create your own safety net.

Speaking of which, in general, be sure to inform family or close friends by text where you are meeting the seller. Call and even leave the phone line open so that they can hear the transaction. Afterwards, text them/tell them that the exchange went well and that you are on your way home.

Payment Tips by Situation

Situation	Best Payment Option
Local pickup	Cash
Shipped item	Platform payment (eBay checkout, FB checkout)
High-value item	Bank deposit or platform payment and signature required shipping

Common Scam Scripts to Watch For

• “I’m out of town, but I’ll send a courier/my son/a friend.”
• “I can’t come see it, but I’ll pay full price.”
• “I need your email to send payment.”
• “Kindly send…”

The word “kindly” in a random sales message? Not a guarantee of a scam, but… suspiciously common.

Photo: Pixabay