OfferUp Scams 2024: How To Recognize Them So You Don’t Fall Victim (2024)

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OfferUp has revolutionized the way many of us buy and sell items locally, making it easier than ever to connect with people in our communities. It’s a great resource for most of its users, and there are a lot of benefits to using the service, But, scams can–and do–happen, so you should take the time to familiarize yourself with some of the more common types of OfferUp scams going around. Here’s a look at some common scams, how to spot them, and what to do so you don’t fall victim to them.

See Also: 6 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work)

What Is OfferUp?

OfferUp is a mobile-centric,peer-to-peer marketplace that lets you buy and sell anything from goods to services. There are extensive categories, spanning everything from clothing, jewelry, and electronics to furniture, vehicles, toys, and even services, such as dog walking. Other OfferUp users in your area will see your listing and contact you through the OfferUp marketplace to discuss payment details.

OfferUp focuses on face-to-face, streamlined transactions, making it a go-to for folks looking to declutter their homes, find deals on secondhand goods or just interact with a local community of buyers and sellers. Because it prioritizes local listings, OfferUp enables connections with nearby users of the platform to arrange transactions in person.

User ratings and reviews are intended to keep the service more secure and reliable, with an integrated messaging system that allows you to communicate within the marketplace. OfferUp supports payment by credit card, cash, or its proprietary TruYou platform, and provides shipping options through a partnership with UPS.

Does OfferUp Have More Fraud?

While OfferUp may have more scams than other services likeeBay or Etsy, it’s not because the platform is any less secure. It’s mainly because OfferUp places an emphasis on face-to-face or cash transactions, attracting more would-be scam artists. If you know what to watch out for, you can avoid being taken advantage of.

Common OfferUp Scams To Watch Out For

Being knowledgeable about the latest scams and the reasoning behind them can go a long way in keeping you safe on OfferUp. Here are some of the most common scams that OfferUp reports.

‘Empty Box’ Scams

This type of scam starts with a fictional listing for some highly sought-after item, like the latest iPhone or PlayStation, with a price that’s significantly lower than other offers. After unsuspecting buyers eager to grab the bargain send the seller swift payment, they’ll beshipped an empty box that used to contain the product they were hoping to receive.

Sometimes, they’ll receive nothing at all. Either way, the seller’s profile tends to disappear shortly after they successfully pull off one of these bait-and-switch scams.

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eBay Security Centre

To avoid this kind of scam, beware of listings with blurry, poor-quality pictures, implausibly low prices, and vague product descriptions. If an item is listed far below other items of its type, there’s a good chance it’s an “empty box” scam waiting to happen.

Phishing Scams

Another trick that scammers try to pull off is an old-fashionedphishing scam. They’ll pretend to be an OfferUp customer service representative and contact you by email or text. Typically, they’ll claim there’s an issue with your account or offer you a special deal. All you have to do is click the link in the text or email, and that’s where the trouble starts.

Like any phishing attack, this one uses malicious links designed to steal your login credentials or credit card details. To prevent this, never click on links in unexpected messages and only sign in to OfferUp via their website or app.

Overpayment Scams

This is a strange one, but at least it’s never done face-to-face. Scammers buy an item you, as a seller, have listed, then pay more than your asking price and shipping. They’ll then contact you pretending to have overpaid accidentally and ask for a refund of the so-called surplus amount, often via a different payment method.

Luckily, this one is easy to avoid. Never consent to refund any part of a payment to the buyer, and keep all transactions inside OfferUp’s secure, built-in payment system instead.

Verification Code Scams

This one’s similar to a phishing attack, but it uses a distinct method. A scammer will contact you and pretend to be interested in buying your item, but they’ll request a verification code, usually claiming they want to make sure your offer is legitimate. If you send them an OfferUp verification code, they’ll use it to take over your OfferUp profile and steal your listings or your money.

To avoid this one, never share verification codes with anyone, as they can be used to access your account.

Shipping Scams

There arealso shipping scams to look out for, where sellers offer to pay for shipping but end up sending you a fake invoice from a non-existent shipping service. Alternatively, they might ask for extra payment for “insurance.” Of course, these are just scams to overcharge you.

Stick with OfferUp’s in-house shipping service for protection, whether you’re a buyer or a seller, and never pay for shipping off-platform.

How Do You Know If Someone Is Scamming You on OfferUp?

Since so many scams rely on the same principles to work, you can often spot someone trying to scam you on OfferUp byhow they behave. Be wary of anyone who does the following:

• Asks to move communication or transactions off-platform
• Requests any account information, including login name, password, PIN or verification codes
• Sends you links you weren’t expecting, especially if you don’t know the person contacting you
• Uses poor quality images in their for-sale posts or uses descriptions that look like they’ve been cut-and-pasted from other sources
• Tries to rush you into finalizing a transaction for any reason

Staying Safe on OfferUp

It’s not hard to avoid being scammed on OfferUp. General safety rules for using the service include:

• Stick with the platform’s integrated messaging and payment system
• Always meeting in well-lit, busy public places for in-person transactions
• Never provide your private details for any reason.
• Keep an eye out for any listings that look too good to be true
• Always report any suspicious activity

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.