FACEBOOK users have been warned to be wary of a Marketplace scam that could end up costing you thousands.
Catfish host Nev Schulman is using his expertise in the art of deception to help people stay safe from other kinds of online tricks.
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He believes Brits are most vulnerable while innocently cruising Facebook Marketplace to bag a bargain.
Lulled into a false of security on the networking app, its nearly 3 billion users are prime targets for fraudsters.
And Nev suggests it’s because “we’re all still beginners” when it comes to navigating selling apps such as Facebook, Vinted, Depeop and eBay.
But being duped into clicking dodgy links or handing over your details could end up hitting your bank balance hard.
The 37-year-old MTV star has now teamed up with mobile-banking app Zelle to educate users on how to identify and avoid scams.
He explained: “Scammers target sellers on marketplaces because the average internet sale or seller probably hasn’t done it many times.
“Facebook Marketplace probably being one of the biggest [for scams] just because Facebook has the most users.
“If you don’t know the simple few red flags to look out for it can be easy to fall victim.”
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Nev warned people to watch out for a common scheme used by scammers when using purchasing platforms on the web.
Fraudsters may often send strange messages to unsuspecting users on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, claiming to be from the social network themselves.
The scheme typically sees users asked users to click on a link to confirm their information.
Due to being eager to secure their item, many naive buyers end up unknowingly giving scammers their personal details.
Another warning sign Nev urged buyers and sellers to look out for is eagerness, a lack of negotiation and no questions asked.
Con artists then offer to pay for their purchase through a money transfer app, before claiming it didn’t go through because you need to update your account.
A link is then sent asking the user to pay a small fee for the payment to proceed, followed by a fake email from a non-existent firm asking you to confirm the transaction.
While sharing his helpful tips on how to spot a scam, Nev is now on a mission to hold marketplace platforms to account.
He believes they need to do more to protect users and wants web giants to take a leaf out of eBay’s book.
He credits their wealth of available information and review system as the reason for the company’s success.
Nev added: “Just like every time you fly on an aeroplane, you have to listen to the safety announcement.
“I think there should be some messaging. I think that all marketplaces should really be running better educational prompts.”
We previously told how Facebook issued their own warning regarding scams amid an influx of complaints in recent months.
