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Buyer Scams
Scams targeting buyers — named and explained
Non-delivery scam
BuyersItem is listed, payment is requested, item never arrives. Seller account may have fabricated reviews. Common on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree for high-demand items (phones, gaming consoles, pets).
Red flag: Seller insists on payment before you can inspect in person. Listing is priced unusually low. Seller is "overseas" or "can't meet" but can post.
Counterfeit / not-as-described
BuyersItem received is fake, broken, or completely different from the listing. Often paired with a payment method that offers no buyer protection (bank transfer, cash app).
Red flag: Seller requests payment by direct bank transfer or gift cards for a high-value item. No return policy mentioned. Reluctant to provide serial numbers or additional photos.
Phishing via "payment link"
BuyersSeller sends a payment link that looks like PayPal, Stripe, or the marketplace's own payment system — but harvests card details or login credentials.
Red flag: Payment link arrives via WhatsApp or SMS rather than through the marketplace. URL doesn't match the real domain. Seller moves the conversation off-platform quickly.
Puppy / pet scam
BuyersAdorable pet listed at a low price. Deposit requested. Then "transport fees", "vet fees", "customs clearance" escalate. No pet ever arrives.
Red flag: Seller "overseas", insists on deposit before viewing, escalating fees after initial payment. Stock photos used — reverse image search the listing photos.
Ticket scam
BuyersTickets to sold-out events sold at face value or slightly above. Tickets are duplicates, invalid, or screenshots — they either don't scan or someone else has the original.
Red flag: Seller won't video-call to show the actual ticket in their ticketing app account. Only provides a screenshot or PDF. Insists on cash or bank transfer.
Rental listing scam
BuyersRental property listed at attractive price. "Landlord" overseas, requests deposit or first month's rent before viewing. Property may not exist or belongs to someone else.
Red flag: Can't view the property in person. Owner insists on payment before meeting. Title search shows a different owner. Google Maps shows a different property than described.
S
Seller Scams
Scams targeting sellers — named and explained
Overpayment / cheque scam
SellersBuyer "accidentally" sends more than the purchase price — by bank transfer, cheque, or payment platform — and asks for the difference to be refunded. The original payment then reverses, leaving the seller out of pocket for the refund amount.
Red flag: Any overpayment with a refund request. Never refund until original payment has definitively cleared — which can take weeks for cheques and some bank transfers.
Fake payment notification
SellersBuyer sends a screenshot or email that looks like a payment confirmation. Seller ships the item. No payment was ever made or it has been cancelled.
Red flag: Never ship based on a screenshot or forwarded email. Check your actual bank account or payment platform — a balance change is the only confirmation.
Freight / shipping agent scam
SellersBuyer claims to be overseas or interstate. Has a "freight agent" who will collect. Freight agent contact is actually the scammer. Item is collected, no payment follows.
Red flag: Buyer cannot meet in person, relies entirely on a third-party collector. Payment promised on pickup rather than before. No verifiable identity from buyer.
Marketplace phishing (seller account takeover)
Sellers"Buyer" sends a link to verify your marketplace account, claiming there's an issue with a listing or payment. Link harvests your login credentials, giving scammer access to your account.
Red flag: Any link sent via message claiming to be from the marketplace — go directly to the platform rather than clicking links in messages.
Chargeback fraud
SellersBuyer pays via PayPal or credit card, receives the item, then files a chargeback claiming item was not received or not as described. Seller loses both the item and the money.
Red flag: For high-value items, always get photo ID, use tracked shipping with signature required, and keep all communications on the platform.
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Safe Rules
Non-negotiable safety rules — for buyers and sellers
The rule that prevents most marketplace scams
Keep everything on the platform. The moment a buyer or seller moves the conversation to WhatsApp, email, or SMS — off the marketplace — they lose the platform's buyer/seller protections, dispute resolution, and fraud detection. Most scams begin with "let's take this off here."
| For buyers | For sellers |
|---|---|
| Inspect in person before paying for any significant item | Payment must clear before shipping — check your actual balance, not a screenshot |
| Use payment methods with buyer protection (PayPal Goods & Services, credit card) | Never accept payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer from unknown buyers |
| Never pay a deposit for a pet, ticket, or rental before meeting in person | Never refund an overpayment until original funds have definitively cleared |
| Reverse image search listing photos — stock images are a red flag | Use tracked shipping with signature required for high-value items |
| Meet in a public place — a police station forecourt is ideal for high-value items | Keep all messages on the platform — messages off-platform are not covered by dispute resolution |
| Never click payment links sent via message — go directly to the platform | Get photo ID for high-value cash transactions — take a photo at pickup |
AU SafeTrading locations: Many Australian police stations offer their car parks as designated safe trading zones for marketplace transactions. Search "[your city] safe trading location" or check your state police website. Meeting at a police station is the strongest signal to a scammer that you are not an easy target.
C
Been Caught
If you've been scammed — what to do now
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Report to the marketplace | Flag the listing and the user account immediately — prevents others being targeted. Most platforms have a dispute or fraud report process. |
| 2. Contact your payment provider | PayPal: open a dispute via Resolution Centre. Credit card: contact issuing bank for chargeback. Bank transfer: call your bank's fraud line immediately. |
| 3. Report to the national authority | AU: ScamWatch (scamwatch.gov.au). UK: Action Fraud. US: FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov). |
| 4. Report to local police | For losses above $1,000, file a police report — you will need the report number for your bank dispute and tax records. |
| 5. Preserve all evidence | Screenshot all messages, the listing, and any payment confirmations before they disappear. This is your evidence record. |
Recovery scam warning: After a marketplace scam, you may be contacted by someone offering to "recover your funds" for a fee. This is a second scam targeting the same victims. No legitimate service charges upfront fees to recover scam losses.