Spotting the Scammers: A Quick Guide for Market Traders

Over the past couple of years, we’ve noticed a rise in scam posts across local Facebook groups, particularly ones advertising markets, craft fairs, and community events.

Sadly, people are still getting caught out – commenting on posts, tagging friends, and even handing over money without realising it’s a scam. These posts often look genuine at first glance, especially when they use local place names and familiar venues. But don’t be fooled.

Here are a few red flags to help you spot the fakes before you get caught out:

🚩 Red Flag 1: Suspicious Facebook Profiles

Always click through to the poster’s profile. Does it have a photo? Any friends or recent activity? If it looks empty or freshly created, it’s probably fake.

🚩 Red Flag 2: Comments Turned Off

If the post is asking you to direct message them and comments are turned off, that’s a big warning sign. Scammers often disable comments to stop others from calling them out.

🚩 Red Flag 3: No Named Organisation

Is there an organisation or community group clearly associated with the event? If not, be cautious. If a group is named, and you’re unsure, reach out to them directly via their own page or website.

🚩 Red Flag 4: Friends & Family PayPal Requests

NEVER send money using PayPal’s ‘Friends and Family’ option unless you know the person personally. You’ll have no buyer protection, and if it’s a scam, there’s no way to recover your money.

🚩 Red Flag 5: The Venue

Double-check the venue. Does it exist? Could it actually host a market? Contact the venue directly to check if it has been booked for the date listed.

What Can You Do?

• Don’t engage with posts until you’re confident they’re genuine.

• Avoid tagging friends or sharing until you’ve done a quick check.

• Report suspicious posts to the Facebook group admin and to Facebook itself.

  
  

  If you accidentally question a genuine post, don’t worry. Any legitimate organiser will understand you were acting with good intentions.

  
  

More Sneaky Tactics: Scam Comments

Scammers have also started commenting on genuine organisers’ posts advertising genuine events – claiming there’s space available at an event. We’ve spotted a few ourselves recently, and we delete and block them as quickly as possible.

Top Tip: Never reply to a random comment from an unknown profile on social media offering space. Always contact the official page or organiser directly if you’re interested in trading.

Final Thought

There are loads of genuine events being promoted – many run by volunteers or fundraising for brilliant causes. Let’s make sure the scammers don’t spoil it.

A few minutes of checking can save a lot of hassle – and protect both your money and your peace of mind.