After being targeted by scammers, a resident puts up a sign to deter them from sending victims to their home.

It seems like there are some unscrupulous individuals taking advantage of people on Facebook Marketplace. They're using fake listings for furniture and TVs and tricking buyers into paying a deposit through bank transfers. And to make their scheme seem more legitimate, they even provide a real address and assure customers that they can pay the rest in cash when they pick up the item.

Unfortunately, this has caused a lot of trouble for innocent residents, like one person in Perth who had to put up a sign outside their house to warn others. The sign reads, "We are not selling any items on Facebook Marketplace - You have been scammed." Apparently, over 20 people have shown up at their door, trying to buy TVs and couches. It's a concerning situation, and the homeowner has reported it to the police and Cyber Crime.

The homeowner also advises people to report the ad and the associated profile to Facebook. And it seems like this is not an isolated incident, as a reader who wrote to 9news.com.au shared their experience. They were given an address when they tried to purchase a 75-inch 4K Samsung TV. The seller asked for a $100 deposit and provided a BSB and account number for the transfer. But the reader decided to do some research and found out that the account was linked to an ANZ branch in Melbourne. They shared their conversation with 9news.com.au to warn others.

It's a good thing that this reader did their due diligence, as Scamwatch reports that Australians lost $80.2 million to social media scams last year, a 43% increase from the previous year. These scammers can create fake profiles and offer items at incredibly low prices, luring in unsuspecting buyers. So it's always important to do some research on the profile behind the listing, such as how long the account has been active and their online activity. And as Scamwatch advises, never send money to someone you've only met online. Stay safe out there!

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