Buyer Beware: Dumpster Fraud Is Rampant on Facebook Marketplace
We are proud to be featured in Sunnyside Common Sense, a San Diego community publication, for our commitment to honest, local dumpster rental service. The article shines a light on a growing problem — fraudulent dumpster listings on Facebook Marketplace — and explains why choosing a verified local hauler matters.
Read the Original Article on Sunnyside Common SenseWhat the Article Covers
Facebook Marketplace has become a hotspot for dumpster rental scams. Fraudulent sellers post attractive prices for dumpsters they never intend to deliver. Homeowners and contractors pay deposits or full amounts up front, only to find the listing disappears and the "seller" is unreachable.
Common Red Flags
- Prices too good to be true — A 25-yard dumpster for $200 in San Diego is well below disposal cost. The seller is either bait-and-switching or planning to take your money and run.
- No local address or phone number — Legitimate haulers have a local base, a real phone line, and a history you can verify. Scammers use burner numbers and vague locations.
- Pressure to pay outside the platform — Requests for Venmo, Zelle, or wire transfer with no invoice or contract are a major warning sign.
- Generic or stolen photos — The dumpster in the listing may be a stock image from another state entirely.
- No proof of licensing or insurance — A real hauler carries liability coverage and can show you a CSLB license or business registration on request.
How to Protect Yourself
The article recommends a few simple steps every homeowner should take before booking a dumpster online:
- • Search the business name on Google and check for real reviews, a website, and a local address.
- • Call the number and ask specific questions about delivery windows, weight limits, and prohibited items. Scammers struggle with details.
- • Ask for a written quote with the company name, phone number, and service address before sending any deposit.
- • Use a credit card or a traceable payment method — never cash apps to strangers.
Why the Author Recommends Heverly & Sons
The Sunnyside Common Sense author personally uses Heverly & Sons and describes us as "reasonably priced and quick." We are a family-owned San Diego hauler with a local office, real trucks, and a team that answers the phone. No middlemen, no hidden fees, and no bait-and-switch pricing.
When you rent a dumpster from us, you get a flat-rate quote that includes delivery, pickup, and disposal at licensed San Diego landfills. If your load runs over the included tonnage, we bill you exactly what the scale house charges — no padded upcharges.
Read the Full Story
This page is a summary. The complete article — including additional scam examples and community commentary — is available on Sunnyside Common Sense.
About this page
This summary was created by Heverly & Sons to help San Diego residents find the original article and to provide context about the dumpster fraud issue. The views expressed are a summary of the reporting by Sunnyside Common Sense. We are grateful to the publication for highlighting this problem and for including us as a trusted local solution.