Greg's Corner

Is your car being listed for rent on Marketplace?

By Greg Collier

Most of us are no strangers to the home rental scams that infest online classifieds. These scams involve fraudsters listing properties they don’t own, aiming to deceive unsuspecting renters into paying upfront fees like deposits or first month’s rent. Now, imagine that same scheme, but with cars as the target. That’s the crux of today’s narrative.

In Broward County, Florida, several families have experienced unsettling encounters as strangers unexpectedly appeared at their doorsteps. These individuals believed they had rented cars from the residents, as advertised on Facebook Marketplace. However, upon the residents’ investigation, they discovered their vehicles listed for rent on the platform, unbeknownst to them. Similar to the notorious home rental scam, it’s suspected that the scammers have duped renters into paying upfront deposits under false pretenses.

Unfortunately, in certain cases, when prospective renters are refused access, their frustration boils over and manifests in destructive acts directed towards the vehicles. Numerous residents have recounted instances where their cars fell victim to severe vandalism after they rejected individuals who had fallen prey to the scam. One family shared the distressing account of vandals wielding a monkey wrench against their car shortly after they turned away two men.

Adding to the complexity is the allegation that Facebook/Meta is sluggish in addressing the fraudulent listings, if they address them at all. Despite the concerted efforts of affected residents to flag and remove these deceptive postings, many persist, exacerbating the cycle of victimization.

If this scam is allowed to continue, how long will it be before someone turns their ire to the car’s owner? To effectively combat fraudulent listings like those plaguing Broward County, platforms like Facebook Marketplace should implement more stringent verification processes for users posting listings, particularly for high-value items like cars. This could include requiring additional forms of identification or proof of ownership before allowing listings to go live.

They must also prioritize the swift removal of fraudulent listings once they are reported. Timely action is crucial to mitigate the impact on affected users and prevent further victimization.

By implementing these measures, Marketplace can significantly reduce the prevalence of fraudulent listings and enhance the safety and trustworthiness of its platform.