Flea markets and yard sales are still around, but they aren't as popular as they once were.
These days, much second-hand selling has moved online year-round to websites and social media, including Facebook Marketplace.
But before you make a purchase, there are some things you should do to ensure your money and data are safe.
And while buying a car from a stranger might not typically be recommended, if that's what you choose, make sure to do your homework.
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That's what one recent purchaser did.
"Because we had people in common in the area, I felt actually more secure about buying the car from that person," Michelle Concha said.
Along with getting a good deal using social media, you can also get scammed. Consumers have lost more than $2.7 billion to social media scams since 2021.
While you might think scammers lurking on Facebook Marketplace want money, they might actually be after your data. As a result, here are some recommendations from Consumer Reports:
- First - Never share personal information like your address, email or phone number. Only communicate through Facebook Messenger.
- Second - Think about where the sale will take place. Meet in a public, well-lit area and never give away your home address. Consider a police station. Some even have designated parking spots where marketplace meet-ups are watched by security cameras.
- Third - Never exchange cash. Facebook Marketplace recommends a secure person-to-person payment method.
You always want to make sure that you’re sending money to the right person before you send the full amount. So it's a good idea to send a $1 dollar test payment first. Then make sure that that person received it.
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And for large purchases, like a car, pay the old-fashioned way and get a cashier’s check.
