Facebook Marketplace is an online shop similar to Craigslist, where you can buy and sell items. It’s also home to a variety of scams.

Here are some of the most common scams on Facebook Marketplace:

Fake and Broken Items
It’s easy to put a Gucci logo on a bag or the Nike Swoosh on a shoe, and scammers can use any image they like to advertise their goods. Be aware that if the price is much lower than usual, it’s most likely a fake. Inspect the item thoroughly before you buy it.

Sellers Requesting Payment in Advance
If a seller asks you to pay for an item in advance that you have not seen in person, walk away. If you do pay in advance, the seller may never show up with the item. Remain suspicious even if the seller displays the item on a video call, since you can’t verify that the item is in your local area. If you’re interested in an item, meet the seller in a well-lit, public area and agree on a method of payment beforehand.

Unusual Payment Methods
Only use Facebook Checkout, PayPal, or cash when it comes to Facebook Marketplace. If you use PayPal, don’t select the “Friends and Family” option, since this will completely negate your ability to get a refund and be protected by PayPal. Also think twice about Venmo, the online payment processor for mobile devices, since scammers often use Venmo to buy items with stolen credit cards.

Fake Accounts
Fake accounts are a big scam on Facebook itself and now they’ve bled over to Marketplace. Before considering buying from or selling to anyone, check that person’s Facebook page. If it looks strangely empty of content, there’s a good chance it’s a fake or stolen account. Such people may buy from you in an effort to meet up for nefarious purposes.

If you suspect something isn’t right about a Facebook Marketplace listing, you can always report the ad. Click on the item to display the full listing, then click or tap on the ellipsis “…” icon and choose “Report Listing.”

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Question: How can I tell if my identity has been stolen?

Answer: Fortunately, there are clear signs of identity theft, depending on how thieves use your stolen information. The FTC shared these scenarios to help consumers:

An identity thief could use your information to get credit or service in your name.

• How to spot it: Get your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review it for accounts you didn’t open or inquiries you don’t recognize. A new credit card, a personal loan, or a car loan will appear as a new account. A new cell phone plan or utility service — like water, gas, or electric — will show up as an inquiry.

An identity thief could use your credit card or take money out of your bank account.

• How to spot it: Check your credit card or bank statement when you get it. Look for purchases or withdrawals you didn’t make.
• Bonus advice: Sign up to get text or email alerts from your credit card or bank whenever there’s a new transaction. This could help you spot unauthorized or fraudulent activity on your account.

An identity thief could steal your tax refund or use your Social Security number to work.

• How to spot it: A notice from the IRS that there’s more than one tax return filed in your name could be a sign of tax identity theft. So could a notice that you have income from an employer you don’t work for.

An identity thief could use your health insurance to get medical care.

• How to spot it: Review your medical bills and Explanation of Benefits statements for services you didn’t get. They could be a sign of medical identity theft.

An identity thief could use your information to file a claim for unemployment benefits.

• How to spot it: A notice from your state unemployment office or employer about unemployment benefits that you didn’t apply for could be a sign of fraud.

If you discover any signs that someone is misusing your personal information, find out what to do at IdentityTheft.gov.