With tariffs raising prices on new items, buyers are turning to online resale marketplaces to find deals. Protect yourself from cyberthieves by recognizing these common OfferUp scams.
12 Common OfferUp Scams to Watch Out For
Updated on Apr. 16, 2025
Getting a good deal on secondhand household goods, or making a quick buck by selling your old stuff, used to mean waking up early on a Saturday morning to hit the garage sales. Today, the garage sale has gone (mostly) digital, with online marketplaces like OfferUp allowing people to buy and sell from anywhere, no alarm clock needed. OfferUp was created as an alternative to Craigslist in 2011, and it is now the largest mobile marketplace in the U.S. for local buyers and sellers. With so many people using the platform, it’s important to avoid OfferUp scams.
Known as “recommerce,” buying and selling pre-owned goods is on the rise. OfferUp’s 2024 Recommerce Report reports that 35% of shoppers tried resale for the first time last year, an 8% increase over 2023. With the Trump administration’s 2025 tariffs affecting everything from groceries to clothing and electronics, projected growth in the recommerce market is expected to reach $291.6 billion by 2029. Monica Eaton, CEO of Chargebacks 911, an online marketplace fraud prevention company, expects record business for resale sites, largely because of the new tariffs on incoming products.
“With all the uncertainty regarding exports and imports, the used-goods marketplace will likely see a heavy influx of new customers,” Eaton says. “That’s like manna from heaven for cyberthieves, because new users tend to be inexperienced. They don’t know all the rules, risks and red flags, which leaves them vulnerable to fraud schemes.” But anyone can become a victim of online scams, whether you’re new to the resale scene or you’ve been “recommercing” for years.
Reader’s Digest talked to Eaton and three additional online security experts to help you stay safe out there. Keep reading to learn the 12 most common OfferUp scams—including how to identify them and avoid them—and what to do if you fall for one of them.
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Common OfferUp scams
As consumers become hip to scams, cyberthieves simply adjust their strategy. When we first reported on OfferUp scams in 2022, our list had 10 scams and looked a little bit different. The world has changed. More and more people use Zelle and other digital payments, which renders the old-fashioned “bad check scam” nearly obsolete. But bad actors are constantly coming up with new strategies, so recognizing fake listings on OfferUp is vital.
Here are the OfferUp scams to watch for in 2025.
Fake OfferUp website scam
How this scam works: In this scam, the seller sets up a fake page, aka mirror site, intended to look like a legitimate OfferUp listing. Instead, it leads you to a phishing link or a form to fill out to complete the purchase. The URL will look very similar to the legitimate one, so this OfferUp scam is incredibly easy to fall for.
How to avoid it: Never click on a link or move to a page outside of OfferUp. If you make a purchase through the OfferUp app, your purchase will be protected, but once you leave the app, you’re on your own. It’s also a good idea to check links on the Google Transparency Report. “This is a terrific free service where you can type in the URL and learn if Google’s research indicates it’s a scam,” says Steven J.J. Weisman, an expert in scams, identity theft and cybersecurity.
Overpayment scam
How this scam works: This scam has several forms, but Karim Hijazi, founder and CEO of Vigilocity, a cyber intelligence company, describes one of the most common: “Sometimes the buyer sends the seller more money than requested, and then they contact the seller and claim to have made a mistake,” Hijazi says. “They’ll ask the seller to return the extra funds or the total payment to them, so they can issue a new payment.”
You might not think that OfferUp scams would involve sending money to the victim, and that’s exactly why this one works. Because you aren’t expecting it, it’s easy to assume good faith and send the payment back. “However, since the original transaction will never actually go through, the seller loses whatever money they send back to the buyer,” Hijazi says.
How to avoid it: If you ever receive an overpayment, make sure the payment has finished processing and has been deposited into your account before you issue a refund. Also, stay on the OfferUp app instead of heading over to sites like Zelle or PayPal. Scammers will often try to get you to those sites because the money transfers instantly, and once it’s out of your account, it’s gone and you’re not getting it back.
Overly interested buyer scam
How this scam works: Scammers reply to a new ad as soon as it goes up, saying they need to pick up the item right away. They might even suggest moving over to text to arrange the meeting, just to speed things along. “Be skeptical of overly interested or aggressive buyers,” Hijazi warns. “And any time a buyer or seller tries to quickly move the conversation away from the app, stop communicating with them.” Once you leave OfferUp, you’re vulnerable to malicious links, fake forms and bogus verification codes.
How to avoid it: Always use the OfferUp app when messaging potential buyers or sellers. Eaton stresses the importance of reading reviews for both buyers and sellers, and like the overpayment scam, if someone offers to pay more than the asking price? That’s a red flag. “Most of all, use your common sense,” Eaton says. “The cardinal rule of the internet is, ‘If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!'”
“Need to sell fast” scam
How this scam works: Scammers will often post ads with the phrases “must sell fast” or “priced to sell,” hoping to entice a quick sale where the buyer won’t ask too many questions. They might offer an item well below market price, or claim to have a sold-out or hard-to-find item, such as a PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch 2.
How to avoid it: Consider what you’re buying, and what the typical cost would be if you bought it new or gently used. If a price doesn’t sound reasonable to you, it’s probably not a deal—it’s a scam. “If someone on OfferUp is selling something at a price that’s simply ridiculous, there’s likely more than meets the eye,” Eaton says. “People usually don’t give away something that’s valuable for next to nothing.”
Code verification scam
How this scam works: A scammer will pose as a buyer for something you are selling, then ask you for your phone number to text you a code to make sure you’re a real person. But instead of a verification code, their text will contain a malicious link designed to steal your login, password and financial info.
How to avoid it: Never click on a verification link. OfferUp does not use these codes, so they are always manufactured by the buyer (or seller) to obtain your personal information. If you stick to OfferUp’s app, you should be safe, since the site has a strict verification process. “OfferUp provides a ‘TruYou’ feature, which provides a better level of verification than a traditional sign-up,” Hijazi says. “TruYou requires the registrant to provide a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, along with a valid cell phone number, and the person must take a selfie photo while inside the app.”
Bad check scam
How this scam works: You list an item for sale, a seller contacts you and agrees to meet you with a check … but the check turns out to be a fake.
How to avoid it: This one is easy to avoid: Never take a personal check from a buyer.
Gift card scam
How this scam works: In the gift card scam, a scammer may ask if they can pay you in a gift card, and they may even offer you a gift card worth double or triple the value of the item you’re selling. They think you’ll go for it because of the added value, but the scammer is just trying to pawn off a fake or worthless gift card.
How to avoid it: Just like not taking personal checks from buyers, this one is easy—never accept a gift card as a form of payment. “If they propose an unorthodox payment method, be forewarned, especially if they insist on using gift cards,” Eaton says. “Scammers love gift cards!”
Shipping scam
How this scam works: These OfferUp scams come in various forms, from either a buyer or a seller. Here’s one common incarnation: The buyer will claim the package never arrived and demand a refund. “This is more likely to happen if the person gets you to make arrangements outside of OfferUp,” Hijazi explains. “If you remain within the app, you are less at risk, since OfferUp manages the shipping process.”
In another variation of this scam, the seller offers to cover the shipping fees and then asks to send you an invoice to cover the cost. They may also suggest using a different shipping service than is typical for OfferUp. Or, a seller might tell you they have the item crossposted on eBay, so they prefer to ship through that site. But remember: Attempts to lure you off the OfferUp platform likely point to a scam.
How to avoid it: OfferUp calculates shipping costs on the app based on the product’s size, weight and dimensions, so requests for invoices or special shipping services are red flags to avoid for both buyers and sellers. All the experts recommend sticking to the app. “If you leave the app, this makes it impossible for OfferUp to moderate the transaction, and it gives victims no recourse to get their money back,” explains Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate at Comparitech.
Empty box scam
How this scam works: This scam is exactly what it sounds like. “Scammers list the boxes of expensive items, like game consoles, for sale, tricking people into believing they found a great deal on the item in the box,” Bischoff says, but you guessed it, “it’s just the box.”
How to avoid it: Make sure you see the contents of the box. There’s still no guarantee that the seller won’t scam you by sending you an empty box, but as long as you stay on the OfferUp app, you’ll be protected, especially if there are photos from the listing showing the actual product. If it’s just a photo of the box in the listing, you might be out of luck.
Counterfeit product scam
How this scam works: You think you’re getting a brand-name item, but when it arrives, it’s actually a knockoff. The Department of Homeland Security warns that counterfeit goods are not only a waste of money—they can also be dangerous. Counterfeit bicycle helmets, for example, might not offer the protection you think they do. And, according to the National Crime Prevention Council, faulty electronics cause more than 70 deaths and 350,000 serious injuries every year.
Translation: Those knockoff headphones might not be worth the risk.
How to avoid it: It can be hard to spot counterfeit goods, especially online. Sellers of counterfeit goods often use stock photos, so that might be your first tipoff. If there’s a real photo, take a close look at the packaging. Look for grammatical errors and other inconsistencies, and if possible, compare the box with one sold directly from the product manufacturer. When in doubt, meet the seller in person if you feel safe doing so.
“Some consumers don’t care if their Dallas Cowboys t-shirt was officially licensed by the NFL or not,” Eaton says. “But at a minimum, the seller and buyer should still be honest with each other about what they’re getting.”
Down payment scam
How this scam works: For large items like couches or appliances, a seller may offer to deliver—but they’ll first ask you for a down payment or deposit. They’ll tell you it’s so they don’t get scammed by a flaky buyer, but be wary, especially if they ask for the down payment sight unseen and request it through Paypal, Venmo or elsewhere outside the OfferUp payment system.
How to avoid it: Like other OfferUp scams, this one is easily foiled. Don’t give a down payment for an item you haven’t seen, and always exchange funds through the OfferUp platform. “I’d never do a down payment or pay in advance for a local purchase,” Eaton says. “Nor would I ever agree to a sale unless I have a reasonable opportunity to inspect the item in question.”
Investment opportunity scam
How this scam works: In this OfferUp scam, the conman has some too-good-to-be-true offer. It may be an investment in land or a business, but it’s always going to be wrapped in a bogus promise of “easy money.”
How to avoid it: There’s no such thing as easy money, and even if there was a way to get rich quick, you’re not going to find it on a site like OfferUp. These types of listings aren’t even allowed on OfferUp, so if you see one you should report it to OfferUp.
How to stay safe on OfferUp
Here are the experts’ safe tips for OfferUp exchanges and transactions:
- Don’t click on links from strangers. “Never click on the hyperlink a stranger sends you! Even if they promise you amazing savings, the risk isn’t worth it,” Eaton says. Scammers create links that look legitimate, but are designed to install malware on your device, compromising your identity or financial information.
- Research the seller. Check if the seller has good feedback or complaints against them, and make sure their reviews sound natural. Copy-pasted or AI-written offers are a red flag. Also see if their posted items have blurry images, or the information about the item doesn’t seem correct.
- Stick to the app. Keep all interactions on the app. Politely decline if the buyer or seller is asking for personal information like your telephone number, bank account details, address and so on. The same goes for payments on Zelle, PayPal or via any other digital wallet, as well as making wire transfers—just say no.
- Use common sense. Just like meeting anyone new for anything, when exchanging goods on OfferUp in person, “do so in a visible, well-protected public place,” Eaton says. “[Don’t] meet at your home, or late at night, or in an unsafe part of town.” If possible, bring a friend with you.
- Test the products. “If you’re buying electronics, bring equipment to test the merchandise before you leave,” Eaton recommends. “For example, if you’re buying an old iPhone, bring a charger and a cord, so you can make sure it still works.”
What should you do if you fall for a scam on OfferUp?
If you think you’ve been a victim of an OfferUp scam or any online scam, don’t confront the scammer. OfferUp recommends reporting scams to them first, except in the case of serious issues—like if you’re in immediate danger or you’ve encountered illegal activity. In that case, call the police. Once you’ve contacted law enforcement, follow OfferUp’s steps for reporting serious issues. Then be proactive to protect yourself. Change your passwords, and call your bank and/or credit card companies, because they may be able to cancel the transaction. You may also want to cancel your cards.
Eaton says today’s consumer habits may be an even bigger opportunity for scammers than the COVID-19 pandemic, which drove millions of people to online marketplaces. “I’m very worried that in 2025, history might be repeating itself.”
Bottom line? Trust your gut. “If someone sells a ton of products yet has zero negative reviews, or if their ratings are inconsistent with what you’d otherwise expect,” it’s probably too good to be true, Eaton says. “A big percentage of OfferUp scams can be traced to fake accounts, fake offers and fake payments.”
About the experts
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Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of articles on personal technology, arming readers with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats and internet scams as well as revealing the best tips, tricks and shortcuts for computers, cellphones, apps, texting, social media and more. For this piece on OfferUp scams, Jaime Stathis tapped her experience as a journalist who has written dozens of articles about scams and digital security for Reader’s Digest to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We rely on credentialed experts with personal experience and know-how as well as primary sources including tech companies, professional organizations and academic institutions. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Monica Eaton, founder and CEO of Chargebacks911; email interviews, Sept. 2022 and March 2025
- Steven J.J. Weisman, expert in scams, identity theft and cybersecurity; email interview, Sept. 2022
- Karim Hijazi, founder and CEO of Vigilocity; email interview, Sept. 2022
- Paul Bischoff, privacy advocate with Comparitech; email interview, Sept. 2022
- OfferUp: “OfferUp Recommerce Report 2024”
- Department of Homeland Security: “Counterfeit Goods: A Danger to Public Safety”
- National Crime Prevention Council: “Go for Real”
