The act of a fraudulent individual on Facebook Marketplace soliciting a potential victim’s cellular communication identifier is a common tactic used to facilitate deception. This often begins with an expression of interest in an item, followed quickly by a request for a number under the guise of verification or facilitating communication outside the platform. For example, a buyer might state they need to “verify” that the seller is legitimate before proceeding with a purchase.
The significance of this behavior lies in its potential for exploitation. Obtaining a personal communication identifier enables malicious actors to deploy various schemes, ranging from phishing attempts via SMS to more sophisticated identity theft. Historically, such requests have bypassed Marketplace’s built-in security features, allowing scammers to operate with a perceived level of legitimacy. The benefit to the perpetrator is a direct line of communication with the victim, enabling a more personalized and persuasive approach.
