OfferUp Scams: How to Buy and Sell Safely

Seller Scams: Protecting Yourself When Selling

Fake payment screenshots: A buyer shows you a screenshot of a Zelle or Venmo payment and asks you to hand over the item. But the screenshot is fabricated. Always verify payments by checking your actual bank account or payment app — not by looking at the buyer's phone screen.

The overpayment scam: Similar to the Craigslist version — a buyer "accidentally" overpays through a fraudulent method and asks for the difference back in cash. The original payment reverses, and you're out both the item and the refunded cash.

Counterfeit bills: For high-value in-person transactions, counterfeit cash remains a risk. Familiarize yourself with security features of U.S. bills, and consider using a counterfeit detection pen or UV light for transactions over $100.

Robbery: This is the real-world risk of marketplace meetups. Scammers arrange to "buy" high-value items and rob the seller at the meeting location. Always meet in well-lit, public places — ideally police station safe exchange zones — and bring someone with you.

IsThisAScam's 6-layer detection system can analyze suspicious messages from marketplace contacts, helping you identify fraud patterns before you commit to a transaction.

Shipping Scams

OfferUp's shipping feature introduced new fraud vectors:

For buyers: Scammers ship empty boxes, bricks, or cheap substitutes. Always open packages immediately and document with photos/video. File claims through OfferUp within the required window (typically 2 days).

For sellers: Buyers claim items arrived damaged or "not as described" and request refunds while keeping your item. Ship with tracking and insurance, photograph items thoroughly before shipping, and document the packaging process.

Off-platform shipping requests: "I'll pay extra if you ship it to me via FedEx instead of OfferUp shipping." This removes the platform's buyer/seller protection. Scammers pay with fraudulent methods, receive the shipped item, and the payment reverses with no recourse through OfferUp.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Prices significantly below market value
• Brand new account with no ratings or verification
• Seller refuses to meet in person or only meets in private locations
• Buyer insists on paying outside the app
• Extreme urgency ("must sell today," "leaving town tomorrow")
• Communication moves off the platform to text, email, or WhatsApp
• Seller can't provide additional photos or answer specific questions about the item
• Requests for personal information beyond what's needed for the transaction

Safe Trading Practices

For all transactions:

• Use OfferUp's in-app payment system for shipped items — it provides buyer and seller protection
• Meet at police station safe exchange zones or busy public locations during daylight
• Bring a friend for high-value transactions
• Inspect items thoroughly before paying — test electronics, check for damage, verify authenticity
• Trust your instincts — if something feels off, walk away

For buyers:

• Research market prices before shopping — if a deal seems too good, it probably is
• Prefer sellers with TruYou verification, established accounts, and positive ratings
• Never pay in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers
• For shipped items, open and inspect immediately and file disputes within the allowed timeframe

For sellers:

• Verify payments through your actual bank account or payment app before releasing items
• Don't accept checks or money orders
• For shipped items, document everything and use tracking with signature confirmation
• Be wary of buyers offering above asking price — this often precedes overpayment scams

For broader marketplace safety, also check our guides on Craigslist scams and safe online shopping. If you've been scammed on OfferUp, report it through the app, file a police report for in-person fraud, and submit a complaint to the FTC.