Common Scams Targeting Sellers on OfferUp and How to Avoid Them

OfferUp is a popular and convenient platform for selling items locally. But like any online marketplace, it's also a hunting ground for scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting sellers. Can you get scammed on OfferUp as a seller? Absolutely. Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics to trick you into giving up your items for free or even stealing your personal information. This guide will expose the most common scams targeting sellers and provide clear rules to keep you safe.

The Seller's Dilemma: Trust vs. Security

As a seller, you want to trust your buyers and make a sale as smoothly as possible. Scammers exploit this desire for a quick and easy transaction. They create a sense of urgency or use convincing fake payment confirmations to pressure you into handing over your item before you've been properly paid. The key to safety is to be patient, vigilant, and follow a strict set of rules for every transaction.

Top 4 Scams Targeting OfferUp Sellers

1. The Fake Payment Email (Zelle/Venmo/Cash App)

This is the most prevalent scam on all marketplaces. A "buyer" will agree to your price but insist on paying with a digital wallet like Zelle. They will then use a fake payment confirmation to trick you.

The Scam: The buyer asks for your email address to send the payment. You then receive a fake, but official-looking, email from "Zelle" or "Venmo" claiming the payment is "pending" or requires you to take an action—like upgrading to a "business account" by sending money back to the buyer.
The Goal: To either trick you into shipping the item because you believe payment is on its way, or to get you to send them money for the fake "account upgrade."
Red Flag: Any communication that happens outside of the OfferUp messaging system. Any story that involves you needing to send money to receive money is a 100% guaranteed scam.

2. The Overpayment / Fake Check Scam

A classic scam adapted for the digital age. This is most common with larger, shipped items.

The Scam: The buyer offers to pay with a check (often a cashier's check) for more than your asking price. They'll tell you the extra money is to cover "shipping costs" or for their "movers." They ask you to deposit the check and then send the extra money to their "shipper" via Zelle or a wire transfer.
The Goal: The check is fake. It will bounce a few days after you deposit it. By then, you have already sent your own real money to the "shipper" (who is actually the scammer). You lose that money and potentially the item if you've already shipped it.
Red Flag: Any buyer who offers to pay more than your asking price. Never accept a check for more than the sale amount.

3. The "Pay for a Vehicle History Report" Scam

This scam specifically targets people selling used cars.

The Scam: A very interested "buyer" will ask a lot of questions about your car. They seem legitimate. Right before they agree to meet, they'll say, "I'm ready to come now, but I need to see a vehicle history report first. Can you get one from [ScamWebsite.com]?"
The Goal: The website they send you to is a fake vehicle history report site that they own. It will charge you $20-$30 for a useless, fabricated report. Once you pay, you will never hear from the "buyer" again. They make their money by collecting these small fees from dozens of sellers.
Red Flag: A buyer who insists you use a specific, unfamiliar website for any kind of report or verification. A legitimate buyer can purchase their own CarFax or AutoCheck report.

4. The "Google Voice Code" / Verification Scam

This scam isn't about stealing your item; it's about stealing your identity to create fake accounts.

The Scam: A "buyer" says they want to make sure you are a "real person." They'll say, "I'm going to send you a verification code to your phone. Can you just tell me the six-digit number so I know you're legit?"
The Goal: The code they are sending you is actually the two-factor authentication code to set up a new Google Voice number linked to YOUR phone number. If you give them the code, they can create an untraceable phone number to scam other people, and it will be tied to you.
Red Flag: Any request for a verification code of any kind. There is no legitimate reason a buyer would ever need to send you a code.

The Unbreakable Rules for Selling Safely on OfferUp

Communicate Only Through the OfferUp App. Scammers will always try to get you to switch to text messages or email, where they can send you fake links and attachments. Keeping the conversation in the app provides a record and some protection.
Meet In-Person, in a Public Place. For local sales, never ship an item. Arrange to meet at a safe, public location. Many police departments have designated "Safe Trade" spots in their parking lots, which are under video surveillance. A busy supermarket parking lot during the day is another good option.
Accept Cash Only for Local Sales. For in-person transactions, cash is king. It's instant, verifiable, and irreversible. For high-value items, arrange to meet at the buyer's bank, where they can withdraw the cash and you can see it's legitimate. Do not accept Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App unless you are willing to wait and confirm the money is in your account before handing over the item.
Trust Your Gut. If a buyer seems overly eager, tells a long, complicated story, or pressures you to act quickly, it's probably a scam. It's better to miss out on a potential sale than to get ripped off.

Conclusion

OfferUp is a powerful tool for sellers, but it requires vigilance. By understanding the common scams—like the fake payment email, the overpayment scheme, and the verification code trick—you can spot the red flags immediately. By adhering to a strict set of safety rules, especially by insisting on in-person, cash-only transactions in a public place, you can protect yourself and ensure that your experience selling on OfferUp is both profitable and safe.

Community Discussion

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