Marketplace scam checker

Marketplace Scam Checker: How to Spot and Report It

Marketplace scams target both buyers and sellers. A fake seller may list an expensive item at a low price, while a fake buyer may send bogus payment notices, overpay by check, or push you off-platform.

The safest transactions keep payment, shipping, messages, and dispute protection inside trusted marketplace systems. Be careful when someone asks for gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, payment apps, or verification codes.

Analyze this marketplace message Read FAQ

Quick answer

Marketplace scams move you away from protection

A marketplace scam often uses off-platform payment, fake payment confirmations, overpayment checks, shipping pressure, too-good-to-be-true prices, verification-code requests, or refund tricks.

Free scam check

Paste the buyer, seller, or payment message

The sample below shows a fake payment and shipping pressure pattern. Replace it with the buyer or seller message, listing text, or payment notice you received.

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Typical red flags

Scammers try to make the marketplace's normal safety steps feel inconvenient.

  • The seller wants payment outside the platform before pickup or delivery.
  • The price is much lower than similar listings for the same item.
  • The buyer sends a fake payment email, screenshot, or business-account notice.
  • A buyer overpays by check and asks you to send the difference back.
  • Payment is requested by gift card, crypto, wire transfer, payment app, or friends-and-family transfer.
  • They ask for a verification code, phone number code, email code, or account reset link.
  • The shipping, escrow, courier, or insurance story changes after you agree.

What to do if you already fell for it

Act based on whether you sent money, shipped goods, or shared account access.

  • Contact your bank, card issuer, payment app, shipping carrier, or marketplace support immediately.
  • Pause shipment or request package intercept if you shipped an item.
  • Do not refund overpayments until your bank confirms the payment is legitimate.
  • Save the listing, profile links, messages, payment notices, tracking numbers, and receipts.
  • Report the buyer, seller, listing, or payment notice to the marketplace.
  • Change passwords if you shared codes, clicked login links, or entered account details.
  • Watch for follow-up refund, shipping, or recovery scams.

Example: fake business payment

Input

You need to upgrade your account first. Ship the laptop today and refund the extra $300.

What to notice

  • The buyer creates a fake payment obstacle.
  • Shipping before verified funds puts the seller at risk.
  • Overpayment and refund requests are common marketplace scam patterns.

Marketplace scam FAQ

Is paying outside the marketplace risky?

Yes. Off-platform payment can remove buyer or seller protections and make disputes or refunds much harder.

Can payment screenshots be fake?

Yes. Trust the payment status in your own verified account, not screenshots, forwarded emails, or pressure from the other person.

What is an overpayment scam?

A buyer sends more than the price, often by fake check, then asks you to refund the difference before the payment fails.

Should I share a verification code?

No. Codes can be used to take over accounts, set up fake numbers, or bypass marketplace protections.

What should I paste into ScamSpot?

Paste the listing, buyer or seller message, payment notice, shipping request, or refund demand. Remove real account numbers and codes.