## Screen Buyer Profiles and Keep Communication on Facebook Before agreeing to meet a potential buyer, take a few minutes to screen their Facebook profile. Click on the buyer's profile to check for common red flags. A legitimate buyer typically has an active profile history, local connections or groups, a profile picture, and a history of marketplace ratings. Be cautious of accounts that were created very recently, have no friends, lack profile pictures, or list locations far away from Middle Georgia. Additionally, keep all communications within the Facebook Messenger app. Scammers often try to move the conversation quickly to text messages, external messaging applications, or email. Keeping your conversation on Facebook protects your personal phone number and provides a clear digital paper trail that can be reported to the platform if the transaction goes wrong. ## Choose Secure Payment Methods
Payment scams are common on online marketplaces, but you can protect your finances by choosing the right payment method. For in-person transactions in Macon, cash remains the safest and most reliable option. If you accept cash, inspect the bills briefly to ensure they are legitimate before handing over the item. If you prefer digital payments, use reputable peer-to-peer payment apps. Only share your username or payment link, and never transfer the item until you have opened your own banking or payment app to verify that the funds have cleared and are in your account. Do not rely on email notifications or screenshots provided by the buyer, as these can easily be faked. Avoid accepting checks, money orders, or promises of bank wire transfers, as these are frequently associated with fraud. ## Bring a Friend and Trust Your Instincts You should never go to a Facebook Marketplace meetup alone. Bring a friend or family member with you to the transaction. Having a second person present provides an extra layer of security and ensures you have an extra set of eyes on the situation. If you must go alone, tell someone exactly where you are going, who you are meeting, and when you expect to return. Share your live mobile location with a trusted contact during the meetup.
If you are selling a large item, such as furniture, that requires the buyer to come to your home, prepare in advance. Move the item to the garage, driveway, or porch if possible to prevent the buyer from needing to enter your house. Ensure you have other people home with you during the pickup. Most importantly, trust your instincts. If a buyer seems suspicious, pressures you, or changes the meeting terms at the last minute, cancel the transaction immediately.
