Online marketplaces make it easy to buy and sell almost anything from furniture to electronics to concert tickets to Pokémon cards—even cars and houses! Platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp connect millions of people every day with money burning a hole in their digital pocket. Unfortunately, online marketplaces also attract scammers looking for quick cash. 

These scams target both buyers and sellers. Some scammers pretend to sell products that don’t exist, while others pose as buyers and use fake payment tricks to steal money or personal information. 

However, many scams follow predictable patterns. Once you know the warning signs, they become much easier to spot.

Common online marketplace scams

Fake payment scams

One of the most common scams targets sellers. A scammer pretends to buy your item and claims they’ve already sent payment through a payment app like Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal.

They may send:

• A fake payment screenshot

• A fake email claiming payment is pending

• A message saying you must “upgrade” your account before receiving money

But, in reality, no payment was ever sent! If you get weird messages like this, don't send any money or items, and stop communicating with the "buyer."

Another version is the “overpayment scam.” The buyer “accidentally” sends too much money and asks you to refund the difference. Later, the original payment turns out to be fraudulent, leaving you responsible for the loss. Never refund money in this situation—if they really overpaid, they can speak to their bank.

Phishing scams and fake links 

Some scammers send phishing links that look legitimate but are designed to steal your passwords, banking details, or other personal information. Stop talking to the person if they:  

• Want you to go to another website to complete payment 

• Ask you to log in through a suspicious link 

• Claim there’s a problem with your account

• Pressure you to click quickly 

• Want you to pay them with gift cards 

Always navigate directly to payment apps or websites yourself rather than clicking links from strangers.

Online marketplace red flags to watch for

Scammers rely on urgency and emotional pressure. Watch out for these warning signs:

• Deals that seem too good to be true

• Buyers or sellers pushing you to act immediately

• Requests to move conversations off the platform

• Payment requests involving gift cards or cryptocurrency

• Buyers offering more than your asking price

• Brand-new or suspicious-looking profiles

• Sellers refusing to meet in person for expensive items

• Requests for deposits before seeing an item

Just like in person – if something feels off, trust your instincts.

Staying safe when buying or selling online

Keep communication on the platform

Keep conversations inside marketplace apps or platforms. Moving conversations to text, email, or messaging apps too early can make scams harder to detect and report.

Verify payments yourself

Never rely on screenshots or email notifications. Open your payment app or bank account directly and confirm that the funds have arrived before shipping or handing over an item.

PayPal and Venmo have built-in protections when you send money for a purchase. During the transaction, select "Payment for purchase or product” instead of “Send Money to A Friend.” The former comes with marketplace protections (i.e., a refund if the product doesn't show or the buyer tries to pull back money). The platform might charge a fee, but that gets you protection.

Meet in safe public places

If you’re meeting someone in person, choose a public location and bring another person if possible. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and always inspect items carefully before completing the transaction.

Research profiles and listings 

Scammers frequently use stolen photos and too-good-to-true prices to lure victims. 

Before buying: 

• Check seller reviews and ratings 

• Look for mutual friends or account history 

• Reverse image search suspicious product photos 

• Compare prices with similar listings 

What to do if you spot a scam

• Stop communicating with the person 

• Do not send money or personal information 

• Report the account or listing to the platform 

• Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov 

If you have already shared financial information, contact your bank or payment provider immediately and follow their instructions.

For more tips, check out resources from Facebook and the FTC.

Stay aware in the internet bazaar  

Sometimes you can find great deals shopping on Facebook Marketplace or other platforms, but you can almost always find scammers lurking somewhere there. While these websites and apps are convenient, be cautious. Scammers follow a playbook that involves one or more of the following: urgency, fake payments, suspicious links, and pressure to move quickly.

Before you send any payments or items, listen to your gut and take a few minutes to research who you're transacting with. If it feels off, something is likely going on – find a new seller or buyer. For more tips for avoiding scams, sign up for our free online newsletter. 

FAQs 

How can I tell if a Marketplace listing is a scam? 

Watch for prices that seem unusually low, sellers who pressure you to act quickly, requests to pay outside the platform, or profiles with little history or no reviews. 

Is it safe to use payment apps like Venmo or Zelle on online marketplaces? 

Payment apps can be risky when dealing with strangers because many transactions are difficult to reverse. Confirm payments directly in the app and never send money in advance. There are seller and buyer protections built into PayPal and Venmo payment apps if you send money for a purchase, but you must select "Payment for purchase" during the transaction.  

Why do scammers ask to move conversations off the platform? 

Scammers often try to move conversations to text, email, or messaging apps because it makes their activity harder to track and report. 

What should I do if I get scammed on an online marketplace? 

Stop communicating with the scammer, report the listing or account to the platform, and contact your bank or payment provider ASAP.