Aussies Now Targeted by Facebook Marketplace Quick Fire Scam! How to Avoid It?

Aussies are being targeted by the Quick Fire scam on Facebook Marketplace.

(Photo: OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images) In this photo illustration, a person looks at a smartphone with a Facebook App logo displayed on the background, on August 17, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia.

But, instead of fooling buyers, malicious actors behind the scam prefer targeting sellers on the online marketplace.

Usually, the transaction between sellers and consumers on Facebook are smooth; with buyers sending money online or meeting with sellers before purchasing items.

However, the scammers behind the Quick Fire malicious campaign require sellers to send funds first to verify their legitimacy.

Aussies Now Targeted by Facebook Marketplace Quick Fire Scam!

According to The Daily Mail UK's latest report, Australian authorities warn Facebook users who are selling items on the platform's online marketplace.

(Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) In this photo illustration, the Social networking site Facebook is displayed on a laptop screen on March 25, 2009, in London, England. The British government has made proposals that would force Social networking websites such as Facebook to pass on details of users, friends, and contacts to help fight terrorism.

For those who are unaware of how the Quick Fire scam works, it starts with fake buyers messaging sellers via Facebook Messenger.

After scammers show their interest in purchasing sold goods, they will urge sellers to send money (usually $500) via their PayPal business accounts. They will claim that the fund is needed to verify the legitimacy of online sellers.

Aside from this, they will also tell sellers that it is required so to complete the purchase process.

Then, scammers will ask sellers for their email addresses. Once their victims send this information, malicious actors will provide a legitimate-looking email message with all the details for the fund transfer.

Quick Fire scammers will tell their victims that the fund they sent will return along with the money for the items' costs. But, once sellers fall into this trap, they will no longer be able to receive the fund they sent or even the money for their sold items.

How to avoid quick-fire scams on Facebook?

Of course, the best thing you can do is always avoid transactions that require you, as a seller, to send money.

Remember, the main point of you selling your items on Facebook Marketplace is to generate revenue and not the other way around.

Aside from avoiding this kind of transaction, it would also be best to practice not sending your email addresses to suspicious buyers.

If ever you fall victim to the Quick Fire scam, the best thing you can do is report it to Facebook since the scam happened on the platform's online marketplace.

Although doing this doesn't guarantee that your money will return, it will be able to inform Facebook about the scamming activity so that the company can take needed measures against it.

If you want to learn more about how Facebook protects its Marketplace sellers, you can visit this link.