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If you’re in the reselling business, you will deal with scams from time to time. When communicating about items and payment, it’s always better to take a minute to slow down if things are starting to go off track. If you have a gut feeling that something isn’t right, it probably isn’t.
We’re going to dive into five common scams you might see if you are selling on local apps like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist. These are the most common ones we have dealt with throughout our reselling career.
Scam #1 - They Ask For Personal Information
Right up front, a scammer might ask you your email or phone number, but don’t give them all your personal information.
If somebody's reaching out and doing that, typically any of these marketplaces they are going to set up a meeting point with you to where you can meet up with them. Message them in the app, stay in the app. Don’t hand out your address or phone number. Be on the lookout for people trying to get too much information from you.
Typically if someone does want to connect with you via telephone, they’ll reach out and give you their number. We don’t share our number unless someone has reached out and said, “Hey, this is my phone number. You can contact me to set up the arrangements.”
Stay on the platform as long as you can.
Scam #2 - “I Sent You Payment”
Sometimes they want your email so they can “email you a confirmation” of payment, which means they’ll send you a photoshop of a payment and it’s not really in your account.
We actually had someone try that and the guy got on the phone with me. It was the only time we’ve had a scammer get on the phone. He sent me a PDF or a picture, that he sent payment and the payment was coming my way. But my bank account didn’t have it so I knew it was a scam. Until I see it in the account I won’t send the item.
People are going to extreme lengths to scam people so just protect yourself and be careful.
If somebody does want your email address and they're trying to pay you through Zelle or Venmo while you’re meeting in person, make sure you have the app open and see the money come through before you hand over the item.
Scam #3 - Gift Cards
Don’t ever buy gift cards to release funds. They’re not sending you legit money; they’re just trying to get money from gift cards.
Some people will tell you, “Hey, go get me $200 in gift cards and I'll give you a thousand dollars for this item, but I need $200.” And just know it's a scam. Anytime they're trying to get you to buy gift cards when you're trying to sell something to them, stay away from it.
Scam #4 - Wanting To Overpay For An Item
This usually happens when you first list something and one of the first people to message you is a scammer. If you have an item listed for $200 they might offer you $500 or $250. Anytime they’re offering something extra for the item, it's usually a big red flag.
They’ll ask you to hold the item while they send you the money and will have someone come and pick it up once the check clears. They’ll ask for your bank account info for the cashier’s check. Stay away from it.
I know if I want something, I'm not paying more than I have to. Typically I'm offering people less money than what they're asking. The only time it might happen legitimately is if you have a super hot item and someone wants to pay you $20 extra or something to get prioritized as the buyer. And they’ll usually want to meet up with you right away so they can get it. They won’t ask for your routing number or other personal info.
Scam #5 - Family Picking It Up
Number five is, “My cousin's uncle's brother had an emergency, so somebody else is going to pick it up.” This one is also probably tied into gift cards. If someone else is picking it up, it’s a red flag. Not always true, but generally. If it’s a furniture item, maybe they actually need to have someone with a truck pick it up. But usually people will meet you and pay for the transaction there.
When you hear phrases like emergency, you know it’s probably a scam. Or if they’re on the ship in the middle of the Atlantic, that’s probably not real.
Trust your gut. If it doesn't feel right, get somebody else's opinion.
Once you start seeing scams, you can recognize them. It really only takes two or three messages back and forth and then you're done and you know it.