Is Facebook Marketplace Safe To Buy, Sell In Riverside County?

MURRIETA, CA — Facebook Marketplace can be a great side hustle—a continual way to host a yard sale and make a few extra bucks. It can also present a way to get scammed if you don't know what to watch for, Murrieta Police Department warned residents this week.

The latest scam involves sellers being tricked into supplying a contact over Facebook Marketplace with your Google verification code, police said.

Though the scam can be a trap for online sellers, the best news is there are many steps you must fall for in order for the scam to be successful. If you keep your head about you, you can beat it, as one Murrieta resident recently told police.

"She felt something didn't seem right," a department spokesperson said. "She hesitated, did not provide the six-digit code, and ceased dealing with that 'buyer.'

"Never give your personal information, cellphone number, or verification number to other people not known to you," they advised.

Here is how part of the multi-step scam works:

1. You might post something for sale, and a potential buyer reaches out to you.
2. The buyer asks for your phone number, and you start to communicate with them.
3. The buyer becomes hesitant, asking you to prove you are a real person and that they don't want to get scammed.
4. The buyer sends you a text message with a six-digit Google Voice verification code and asks you for your code.
5. If you give your Google Voice verification code to the buyer, they will create a Google Voice number linked to your phone.

How is this a scam?

"The 'buyer' actually takes control of your verified phone number by Google and is able to use your cellphone number to commit other crimes that can be associated with you or your account," police say. "They also can open new accounts using your name and information."

What happens if you already did this?

There are ways to reclaim your number away from scammers, police say.

"Run a credit report on yourself and check for unknown accounts," they suggested. "Also, reclaim your phone number through support from Google."

Learn more at support.google.com.