Online marketplaces have revolutionized how we buy and sell used goods, with millions of individuals transacting daily. One platform at the forefront of this trend is OfferUp, a mobile marketplace where users can list items, chat with potential buyers or sellers, and complete transactions either locally or via shipping. But with popularity comes risk — and sadly, a growing number of scammers now exploit OfferUp’s large user base.
While OfferUp is legitimate and processes over 30 million transactions a year, such volume inevitably attracts fraudsters looking for their next victim. Understanding their tactics is the first step to staying safe.
Top 10 OfferUp Scams You Need to Know
Here are the most common scams currently encountered on OfferUp and how they work:
1. Counterfeit Items
Scammers may list high-value brand products that are fake or misrepresented. Often, they try to lure you into paying via external payment apps such as Zelle or Venmo instead of through OfferUp’s secure system — a move that voids any protection the platform provides.
2. Payment Scams
Fraudsters often manipulate the payment process:
- They might offer more than your asking price to persuade you to accept payment outside the app.
- They may use stolen accounts or fake checks to send you money and then request a refund of “overpayment.”
- Once you refund them, the original payment is reversed or disappears, leaving you out of money and the item.
3. Account Takeover
Some scammers ask for a “verification code” supposedly to confirm a listing or identity. In reality, they’re trying to capture your two-factor authentication (2FA) code. If you share it, they could take control of your OfferUp account and use it for further fraud.
4. Empty Box Schemes
In this scam, a listing advertises a valuable product at a low price, but the package you receive contains only the box or packaging. Scammers sometimes disguise these with fine print saying “box only” or even just a photo.
5. Phishing Links
Scammers might send messages like “click here to get paid” or “click to verify” that lead to fake websites designed to steal your credentials or personal information. Staying within the app’s official messaging system is crucial to avoid this.
6. Email & Phone Phishing
Requests for your email address or phone number can turn into a barrage of phishing attempts outside OfferUp, including harmful links that install malware or steal data.
7. Deposit Scams
A seller might demand a deposit to “reserve” a high-value item or arrange delivery. Once you pay, the item turns out to be non-existent, and the scammer disappears.
8. Bounced Checks
Some buyers send a check that initially appears to clear but later bounces. If you’ve handed over the item based on that check, you’re left with neither the product nor valid payment.
9. Investment or Job Offers
Scammers sometimes list fake investment opportunities or jobs requiring upfront payment for “background checks.” These are thinly veiled attempts to harvest money or personal details for identity theft.
10. Investment Opportunity & Fake Jobs
Scammers also list supposed investment opportunities or job openings that require upfront payments or personal data, which are then used for fraud or identity theft.
What OfferUp Protects — And What It Doesn’t
OfferUp offers a 2-day Purchase Protection policy, which allows buyers to file a claim in cases such as:
- Items significantly not as described
- Damage during transit
- Counterfeit goods
- Non-receipt of items
- “Empty box” scams
However, any transaction that occurs off-platform — such as through external payment apps, cash arrangements outside the app, or direct deals that violate OfferUp’s rules — typically isn’t protected.
Warning Signs to Watch For
When browsing listings or chatting with other users, be especially cautious if you encounter:
- Prices that are too good to be true
- Profiles with no review history
- Requests to pay or message off the platform
- Messages containing links asking for verification or payment info
- Physical meetup points that aren’t a designated Community Meetup Spot
- Emotional stories about why someone can’t meet in person
How to Stay Safe on OfferUp
The simplest guidelines to protect yourself include:
- Stay within the app: Keep all communication and payments inside OfferUp’s ecosystem.
- Don’t share verification codes: Never give anyone your 2FA codes or login details.
- Avoid external payments: Using cash in person or OfferUp’s built-in payment methods helps ensure protection.
- Meet in safe places: If meeting locally, choose well-lit public spots, or verified barter zones like community meetup spots.
- Verify identity: A TruYou badge on a user’s profile signals identity verification and is safer to deal with.
If You’ve Been Scammed
If you suspect fraud has occurred:
- Report the scam to OfferUp using the in-app reporting feature.
- Contact your bank or payment provider to dispute unauthorized charges.
- Change your passwords and secure your accounts.
- Report to law enforcement or consumer protection agencies if significant loss or identity theft is involved.
OfferUp can still be a safe and convenient platform to buy and sell — but awareness, vigilance, and sticking to secure practices are key to protecting yourself from the growing number of scams that lurk on the marketplace.
