Stay Safe: How to Spot and Avoid Mobility Scooter Scams Targeting Seniors on Facebook Marketplace

As we age or care for aging loved ones, a mobility scooter can restore freedom and independence. Unfortunately, scammers know exactly how desperately people want these — and they’ve flooded Facebook Marketplace with fake listings designed to prey on seniors and their families.

You’ve seen them: a brand-new, heavy-duty mobility scooter for $399, $499, or even less — a fraction of the real price (new ones from legitimate brands start at $1,500–$4,000+). It looks too good to be true… because it is.

How the Typical Scam Works

1. A Marketplace post shows gorgeous photos of a shiny “new” or “barely used” scooter.

2. As soon as you message, you get a sad story: “My mom passed away,” “Dad is in a nursing home,” “We’re moving and just want it gone.”

3. The seller says they’re not handling the sale themselves — a “transport company,” “storage facility,” or “estate handler” is — and sends you a link to a website.

4. The website lists the scooter at that unreal price and asks for payment by Zelle, wire transfer, gift cards, or crypto (sometimes just a “deposit” to hold it).

5. You pay. Nothing ever ships. The site vanishes, and the seller disappears.

Instant Red Flags

• Price under $800 for a “new” or “like-new” heavy-duty model

• Seller won’t meet in person and has a tragic backstory

• You’re sent to a random website you’ve never heard of

• Any request for payment or a deposit before you see/test the scooter

If you see even ONE of these, walk away.

How to Buy Safely

Buying New

Only purchase from established, reputable sources such as:

• SpinLife, Marc’s Mobility, 1800Wheelchair, ScooterWorld

• Your local medical supply or home-health store

• Directly from manufacturers (Pride Mobility, Golden Technologies, Drive Medical, etc.)

These sellers provide real warranties, customer support, and return policies — scam sites never do.

Buying Used – The Only Safe Way on Marketplace or Craigslist

• Deal ONLY with local sellers who let you see and test the scooter in person

• Meet in a public, safe place (many police stations offer “safe exchange zones”)

• NEVER send a deposit or any money to “hold” it

• If they say “It’s in storage” or “My shipper will deliver after you pay,” it’s a scam — close the chat

Bring Someone With You

Always take a family member or friend:

• For personal safety

• To help lift and load (even disassembled, most scooters weigh 200–350 lbs)

Inspect It Thoroughly Before Paying

Test everything:

• Forward and reverse at all speeds

• Brakes — do they stop firmly and quickly?

• Steering and turning

• Lights, horn, and turn signals

• Seat swivel and adjustment

• Battery indicator (even if it shows full, batteries still degrade)

Always Plan on Replacing the Batteries

On virtually every used scooter, the batteries are nearing the end of their life. Budget $150–$400 for a new set within the first year — never trust “batteries are fine.”

Quick “Safe vs. Scam” Cheat Sheet

• Realistic used price: $800–$2,500 → Probably legitimate

• Price under $700 for “new/like new” → Scam

• Local seller, meet in person, cash payment → Safe

• Out-of-state, sad story, pay through website → Scam

• You can test drive before paying → Safe

• “Send deposit first” or “shipper will deliver” → Scam

Please Share This

Forward this to your parents, grandparents, neighbors — anyone who might be looking. Five minutes of caution can save thousands of dollars and endless frustration.

Real deals on mobility scooters exist, but they almost never involve a third-party website and a price that looks like a once-in-a-lifetime clearance sale.

Stay vigilant, shop smart, and remember: if it seems too good to be true, it absolutely is.