OfferUp is a popular platform for buying and selling used items locally, but unfortunately, it is not immune to scams. Scammers can use a variety of tactics to trick users into giving away their personal information, money, or even their items. It is important to be aware of these scams and to know how to protect yourself from them.

Here are some common OfferUp scams, along with telltale signs and methods of protection:

Fake check scam:

  • Telltale signs:
    • Buyer offers to pay more than the asking price
    • The buyer asks the seller to send back the excess money, often claiming that it was a mistake or that they will use it to pay for shipping
  • Method of protection:
    • Be cautious of any offers to pay more than the asking price
    • Only accept payment methods that you trust

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Fake account scam:

  • Telltale signs:
    • Account has a low rating or no history on OfferUp
    • The offer or message seems too good to be true
  • Method of protection:
    • Be cautious of any offers or messages from accounts with a low rating or no history on OfferUp

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Phishing scam:

  • Telltale signs:
    • Suspicious message or email claiming to be from OfferUp
    • Message or email contains a link or asks for personal information
  • Method of protection:
    • Be aware of how OfferUp communicates with its users
    • Do not click on any links or provide personal information in response to suspicious messages or emails

Requests for personal information or money upfront:

  • Telltale signs:
    • Requests for personal information or money before you have had a chance to see the item
  • Method of protection:
    • Be cautious of any requests for personal information or money upfront
    • Only provide these things after you have had a chance to see and verify the item

Offers to pay more than the asking price:

  • Telltale signs:
    • Offer to pay significantly more than the asking price
  • Method of protection:
    • Be cautious of any offers to pay more than the asking price, especially if the offer comes from an account with a low rating or no history on OfferUp

Our investigations into Common Scams of 2024

Requests to ship items to another location:

  • Telltale signs:
    • Request to ship the item to a different location, often claiming that they will pay for the shipping
  • Method of protection:
    • Be cautious of any requests to ship items to another location, especially if the request comes from an account with a low rating or no history on OfferUp

Requests to use a third-party payment service:

  • Telltale signs:
    • Request to use a third-party payment service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram
  • Method of protection:
    • Be cautious of any requests to use a third-party payment service
    • Only use payment methods that you trust
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Scammers never stop devising schemes to separate us from our hard-earned money. So, make sure to sign up for our weekly email scam alerts. TotalScam!™ Alert will notify you as soon new scams are discovered.

In addition to the above scams, it is also important to be aware of any red flags that may indicate a scam.

Some red flags to look out for include:

  • Unusually high prices or discounts
  • Requests to use a third-party payment service
  • Requests to wire money
  • Offers that seem too good to be true
  • Requests for personal information or money upfront

If you encounter any of these red flags, it is best to be cautious and to consider whether the offer or request is legitimate.

To further protect yourself from OfferUp scams, here are a few additional tips:

  • Use OfferUp’s built-in payment and messaging tools: These tools allow you to safely conduct transactions and communicate with other users without revealing your personal information.
  • Meet in a public place to exchange items: This will allow you to verify the item before exchanging it for money or other items.
  • Use OfferUp’s “Mark as Delivered” feature: This feature allows you to confirm that an item has been received, which can help to protect you in case of any disputes.
  • Check the ratings and reviews of other users: This can help you to identify any accounts that may be scams or that have a history of fraudulent activity.
  • Trust your instincts: If something seems too good to be true, or if you have any doubts about the legitimacy of an offer or request, it is best to be cautious and to consider whether the offer or request is legitimate.

Our investigations into Common Scams of 2024

If you do fall victim to an OfferUp scam, there are a few steps you can take to try to resolve the issue.

Here are some options for recourse:

  • Contact OfferUp: You can report the issue to OfferUp through the app or website. OfferUp may be able to help you resolve the issue or may be able to provide you with additional information or resources.
  • Contact your bank or credit card company: If you have used a payment method to send money or purchase an item, you may be able to dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company.
  • File a report with the authorities: If you believe that you have been the victim of a crime, such as fraud or identity theft, you may be able to file a report with the authorities. You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the National Consumers League’s Fraud.org website.

By following these tips and being aware of the common scams on OfferUp, you can protect yourself and have a safe and successful experience on the platform. If you do encounter a scam, remember that there are steps you can take to try to resolve the issue and protect yourself in the future.

OfferUp Scam Blacklist

The following phone numbers, websites, and emails have been reported to us by the consumer. If you feel this information is incorrect, you may submit a request for removal or correction by contacting us using this form.

Submit phone numbers, websites, or email addresses associated with a scam. Your submission will be published as soon as it gets reviewed by one of our staff members.

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FAQ

To protect yourself from fake check scams, be cautious of any offers to pay more than the asking price, and only accept payment methods that you trust.

An account may be а fake if it has a low rating or no history on OfferUp, or if the offer or message seems too good to be true.

If you receive a suspicious message or email claiming to be from OfferUp, do not click on any links or provide personal information. Instead, contact OfferUp directly through the app or website to report the issue.

To avoid giving away personal information or money up front, be cautious of any requests for these things before you have had a chance to see and verify the item.

An offer to pay significantly more than the asking price may be a sign of a scam, especially if it comes from an account with a low rating or no history on OfferUp.

To protect yourself from requests to ship items to another location, be cautious of any requests, especially if they come from an account with a low rating or no history on OfferUp.

A request to use a third-party payment service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram, may be a sign of a scam. To protect yourself, be cautious of any requests to use these services and only use payment methods that you trust.

Some red flags to look out for on OfferUp include unusually high prices or discounts, requests to use a third-party payment service, requests to wire money, offers that seem too good to be true, and requests for personal information or money up front.

OfferUp’s built-in payment and messaging tools can help to protect you from scams by allowing you to safely conduct transactions and communicate with other users without revealing your personal information.

If you do fall victim to an OfferUp scam, you can report the issue to OfferUp through the app or website. You may also be able to dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company if you used a payment method. If you believe that you have been the victim of a crime, such as fraud or identity theft, you may be able to file a report with the authorities or with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the National Consumers League’s Fraud.org website.

Attention: Consumers who have been contacted by scammers could have had their personal information breached. TotalScam!™ highly recommends that consumers whose information has been breached obtain an identity theft protection service immediately.

There are several companies that offer identity theft protection in the US. One of the most inexpensive options we were able to find is the protection offered by LifeLock. You can start your protection here.

Disclaimer: The information and opinions contained on this site are not endorsed by LifeLock. TotalScam!™ receives compensation from LifeLock. This helps support our scam prevention efforts.

Our investigations into Common Scams of 2024