WANTED: info on starting FB account

[brider]

I just learned the funny way that FB won't let you open an account using a fake name. I wanted to open an account JUST to access the Marketplace; if I do it the "right" way with my real name, is there a way to hide my name from anyone seeing it? I know it sounds kinda dumb, but one reason I've never opened an account is that I DON'T want old aquaintences reaching out to say "where ya been?". Linkedin is bad enough. I dislike that site for that exact reason.

[AJ Huff]

Well there has to be a way because I see people with fake names all the time. They will even have a comment in their profile from Facebook that this is not their real name.

-AJ

[blackcat]

I just learned the funny way that FB won't let you open an account using a fake name. I wanted to open an account JUST to access the Marketplace; if I do it the "right" way with my real name, is there a way to hide my name from anyone seeing it? I know it sounds kinda dumb, but one reason I've never opened an account is that I DON'T want old aquaintences reaching out to say "where ya been?". Linkedin is bad enough. I dislike that site for that exact reason.

You can block individual people if you have a list. I know people who have multiple accounts under different names so there must be a way unless FB has stopped that ability.

[rocker59]

For what it's worth, Facebook Marketplace is full of the scammers that used to be on Craigslist.  It took a little while, but the scammers followed the mass exodus from Craigslist to Facebook Marketplace.

When Marketplace first came out, I sold some cars and other things with no trouble, but I've not been using it for a couple years, now. 

What is it you're looking for on Marketplace?  There may be more secure ways to find what you want.

[Ncdan]

I frequently buy and sell on FB. If one is willing to deal will the aggravation it’s a good tool for the buying and selling process.
As Rocker said there are scammers but an experienced eye can catch them fairly easily. For me the worst aggravation is the people who list items then won’t either get back or refuse talk on the phone when trying to get all the particulars. Personally I won’t deal with someone I can’t verbally communicate with.

[brider]

I tried to created a FB account using a fake name to access that yellow Sport that was just in the Swap section. There was no visible ph # in the ad, so my only recourse was to open an account. The bike was maybe 5 miles from me. Missed it.

I've used CL for years buying/selling and I find it easy to spot scammers, so I'm not intimidated by the same tactics on FB. My wife and I have bought some nice furniture found on her FB account. I'm not about to ask her to search for bikes, though.

I just don't want long lost friends (& family) to see my name. Since many have said they see fake names (how do you know they're fake?), it must be possible. I guess if no brother here with a FB acct is willing to look at their own acct to see if it's possible, I guess I'll (sigh) ask my wife.

[Vagrant]

Save yourself a lot of grief and just use hers.
FYI, I listed a bike in Tucson on CL this spring at $1000 less than going price because I wanted it gone. Four days later not a call. I put it on FB and had two guys with cash at the house in less than four hours. I am now a believer. But, they are not getting my name or email. 

[bad Chad]

This is not the best place to get how to info on fb.

[someguy]

I did it about a year ago. Used FB for about a week and quit. Cesspool. Anyhow you just have to have a realistic sounding name. I took me about 15-20 tries to come up with something that worked. It was more of an experiment than anything. I don't remember all the details behind it except the AI algorithms they have weed out obvious stuff.

[AJ Huff]

I tried to created a FB account using a fake name to access that yellow Sport that was just in the Swap section. There was no visible ph # in the ad, so my only recourse was to open an account. The bike was maybe 5 miles from me. Missed it.

I've used CL for years buying/selling and I find it easy to spot scammers, so I'm not intimidated by the same tactics on FB. My wife and I have bought some nice furniture found on her FB account. I'm not about to ask her to search for bikes, though.

I just don't want long lost friends (& family) to see my name. Since many have said they see fake names (how do you know they're fake?), it must be possible. I guess if no brother here with a FB acct is willing to look at their own acct to see if it's possible, I guess I'll (sigh) ask my wife.

Have your wife go to her profile page a select add new profile. Then you can create a whole new persona.My dad's friend has pages for all of her animals, each cat and dog. That's how she did it. You'd have to login as your wife, but then switch profiles.

-AJ

[rocker59]

Yeah, people have pages for their dogs and horses and cats.

If you don't want to add a page to your wife's account, then:

1) go to Gmail and set up a new email account that you'll use only for this project.  "carlo.guzzi@gmail.com", or some such.
2) set up a Facebook account using the same name:  "Carlo Guzzi".
3) You'll have no friends and no history on the platform, so be prepared to be thought a scammer.

Or, you could set up an account with your real name and email address, and just lock down all the privacy options so no one can search you up or send you unsolicited messages.

This is not rocket surgery, and as Chad said,  you're not likely to get a lot of responses here on Wildguzzi, as all the old curmudgeons are just as paranoid about privacy as you seem to be.. 

 

[someguy]

all the old curmudgeons

Well on a positive note... I resemble that remark. Just sayin!

[rocker59]

Well on a positive note... I resemble that remark. Just sayin!

Most of us do.