Hey there! Are you a fan of the mobile marketplace app with a growing user base? Well, watch out for these common scams that might just ruin your experience.
04 Feb 2026
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6 min. read
Do you know that OfferUp, despite being relatively unknown outside the US, has been around for almost 15 years? This marketplace app competes with big players like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay, but it also faces a problem with fraud. To make sure you’re safe while buying or selling on the platform, read on.
Watch Out for These Top 10 OfferUp Scams
OfferUp processes over 30 million transactions annually, attracting users with not-so-good intentions. Here are the most common scams you might come across:
1. Counterfeit items
Be cautious of high-value items that turn out to be fake. Sellers might push you to pay through third-party services like Zelle or Venmo to avoid OfferUp’s Purchase Protection.
2. Payment scam
Scammers may trick you into using cash apps by offering to pay more than the asking price or asking for payment via gift cards.
- Promise to pay above the asking price for a product you’re selling, in order to persuade you to agree to them using a cash app. They then overpay using a stolen account or fake check, and ask for a refund. If you pay it, you’ll eventually be down the refund, plus your item, and may be asked to repay the original fraudulent sum
- Ask to pay via gift cards, which turn out to be fake or with zero value
- Claim to be out-of-town sellers, requesting cash-app payment for items they never end up shipping
3. Account takeover
Scammers may ask for a verification code to ‘verify’ your listing, but in reality, they’re trying to gain access to your account.
4. Empty box
Some sellers might deceive buyers by stating in the item description that they are only offering the box or a digital photo of the item, leading to disappointment upon delivery.
5. Phishing links
Scam buyers and sellers might send you phishing links to steal your personal information.
6. Email phishing
Be wary of scammers asking for your email address or phone number to send malicious links.
7. Deposit scam
Scammers might ask for a deposit for a high-value item that doesn’t even exist.
8. Bouncing checks
Scammers might pay for an item with a check that bounces, leaving you without the payment or the item.
9. Investment opportunity
Be cautious of sellers offering investment opportunities but requiring money upfront.
10. Fake jobs
Scammers might pose as employers asking for upfront payment for background checks or personal information for identity theft.
What OfferUp Protects
OfferUp provides 2-day Purchase Protection for buyers, covering items that are significantly not as described, damaged in transit, counterfeit, not received, or empty box scams.
However, protection is not offered for off-app purchases, prohibited items, or cash transactions.
Stay Alert for These Red Flags
When using OfferUp, watch out for these warning signs:
- Deals that seem too good to be true
- Buyer profiles with no history
- Non-Community Meetup Spot locations
- Requests for verification codes
- Messages containing suspicious links
- Urgency in transactions
- Emotional manipulation tactics
- Hidden disclaimers in product descriptions
- Requests for off-app payments
- Use of stock photos instead of actual product images
- Overpayment requests
Be Safe While Using OfferUp
To ensure your safety on the app, avoid leaving the platform or clicking on suspicious links. Stick to messaging and payments within the app, safeguard your personal information, and opt for transactions at Community Meetup Spots. For added security, consider dealing with users who have a “TruYou” badge on their profile.
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
If you fall victim to a scam, report it to OfferUp immediately. If you’ve paid outside the app, contact your bank for a chargeback or report the incident to the relevant cash app. Remember to change your passwords and monitor your accounts for any unusual activity.
Stay vigilant, and don’t let scammers ruin your OfferUp experience!
