When you find a deal that seems too good to be true on platforms like OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace, it probably is. Online marketplaces are rife with scams, where seemingly innocent transactions can turn into nightmares. Scammers have refined their tactics, making it essential for buyers and sellers alike to be vigilant. From fake shipping offers to heartstring-tugging sob stories, these scams are designed to part you from your money and personal information. This guide will arm you with the knowledge to identify and avoid these scams, ensuring your online shopping experience remains secure.
Beware of the Sob Story
Scammers thrive on emotional manipulation. If you’ve ever received a message from a supposed seller or buyer spinning a tale about a sudden military deployment, an urgent family crisis, or a last-minute relocation, you’ve likely brushed up against a classic scam tactic. These emotional appeals aren’t just a plea for sympathy—they’re calculated moves to push you into acting fast and skipping basic checks.
Common Sob Stories You’ll Encounter:
“I’m being deployed overseas tomorrow and need to sell quickly.”
“My child is in the hospital; I can’t meet in person—can you pay in advance?”
“I’m moving out of state urgently, so I’ll ship the item once you pay.”
These stories are engineered to make you let your guard down. The scammer is counting on you to rush into a decision without proper verification. One buyer, for example, lost $1,600 after believing a seller’s military deployment story, paying before seeing the item, and then never hearing from the seller again.
Don’t fall for it:
Slow down. Emotional pressure is a warning sign.
Verify the story. If someone claims a sudden crisis, ask for proof or suggest a safe, local transaction.
Stick to communication on the marketplace platform. Scammers often try to move conversations elsewhere.
Scammers know people want to help and are quick to trust. Guard your wallet and your empathy—don’t let a convincing story blind you to the risk.
Fake Shipping Offers
Scammers are getting bolder with shipping scams, especially in online marketplaces. One common trick? They promise to cover shipping fees for your convenience. Sounds tempting, right? That’s exactly what they’re banking on.
How the Scam Works
Step 1: The Bait
The scammer offers to pay for shipping upfront, making the deal sound sweeter than it really is.
Step 2: The Fake Invoice
Once you show interest, they send a convincing invoice—often with logos and formatting that mimic real shipping companies.
The invoice demands immediate payment or asks for your payment details, supposedly to "secure" the shipment.
Step 3: Extraction of Funds
If you pay, the money disappears. There’s no real shipment, and you’re left out of pocket.
Why People Fall For It
Urgency and Pressure: Scammers create a sense of urgency, pushing you to act fast.
Too Good To Be True: The offer to handle shipping removes your headache. It feels like a win—until it isn’t.
Fake Professionalism: The fake invoices look real enough to fool even savvy buyers and sellers.
How to Protect Yourself
Stick to Marketplace Systems: Always process shipping through the official marketplace tools. Most platforms have built-in, secure shipping options.
Never Pay Off-Platform: If someone asks you to pay shipping fees outside the marketplace, it's a giant red flag.
Verify All Communications: Double-check any emails, invoices, or payment requests. Don’t click on suspicious links or provide payment info outside the platform.
Cloaked: A Note on Added Protection
If you want an extra layer of privacy and safety, Cloaked can help. By creating temporary emails and phone numbers for marketplace deals, Cloaked keeps your real contact info hidden. If a scammer tries to push a fake shipping offer, you don’t have to worry about your personal details getting into the wrong hands.
Bottom line: Handle shipping only within your marketplace’s secure systems. Don’t let anyone lure you off-platform with promises that sound too generous. Stay sharp, double-check everything, and use tools like Cloaked to keep your transactions—and your identity—safe.
Suspicious Payment Requests
When someone asks you to pay using odd methods, like gift cards or direct wire transfers, it’s a classic sign of trouble. Scammers know these routes are hard to trace—once the money's gone, it's almost impossible to get it back.
Common Red Flags
Gift Cards: If someone insists you buy gift cards (think Amazon, iTunes, Google Play) and share the codes, stop right there. No legitimate service or individual will ever ask for payment this way.
Wire Transfers: Requests to send money via Western Union, MoneyGram, or other wire services are another giant warning sign. These transfers are fast, irreversible, and leave you with little recourse if things go wrong.
App Malfunctions: Be wary if someone claims their payment app is “down” or “not working.” Scammers often use this excuse to nudge you off the secure platform and into less protected payment methods.
Why Off-Platform Payments Are Risky
Most reputable platforms have built-in protections. If you stick to their payment systems, you have some recourse if things go sideways. Moving off-platform strips away these safeguards, making you an easy target.
Secure Transactions: Your Safety Net
Dispute Resolution: On-platform payments can often be reversed or disputed.
Transaction Records: Platforms keep a record, making it easier to track what happened if you need to escalate a claim.
Fraud Detection: Payment platforms use technology to spot suspicious activity, potentially stopping scams before they hit your wallet.
Pro Tip: Shield Your Personal Info
Scammers may also try to trick you into sharing sensitive details—like your email or phone number—to move the payment off-platform. Using tools like Cloaked lets you create secure, disposable emails and phone numbers, so your real information stays hidden. This extra layer of privacy can help stop a scam before it starts.
Quick Checklist
Never pay with gift cards or wire transfers for online transactions.
Always question requests to switch payment methods, especially at the last minute.
Keep communications and payments inside the platform for maximum protection.
Stay sharp, and don’t let anyone rush you into sending money by unconventional means. If it feels suspicious, it probably is.
Too Good to Be True Deals
Some offers just scream “something’s off.” You spot a brand-new smartphone, latest model, going for half the price everywhere else. Or a designer bag, supposedly genuine, listed for a fraction of retail. While your first instinct might be to snap it up, this is exactly what scammers are counting on.
Why Lowball Prices Are a Red Flag
Scammers know that everyone loves a bargain. They bait buyers with prices that seem impossible—because they usually are. Here’s how they work:
Shock Value: The low price grabs your attention and creates a false sense of urgency.
Impulse Triggers: Scammers want you to act fast, skipping normal safety checks.
Lack of Verification: Many buyers don’t pause to check the seller’s background when a deal feels like a steal.
It’s a classic “too good to be true” scenario. If it looks like you’re getting a $1000 item for $200, there’s almost always a catch.
How to Spot and Avoid These Scams
Before you hit “buy,” keep these tactics in mind:
Compare Prices: Always check the same item across multiple trusted platforms. A price that’s drastically lower than everywhere else is a glaring warning sign.
Check Seller Reviews: Scroll through feedback. Reliable sellers have a pattern of positive interactions and detailed reviews. If reviews are missing, vague, or suspiciously glowing, tread carefully.
Look for Secure Payment Options: Scammers often push for direct transfers or gift cards. Stick to payment methods that offer buyer protection.
Ask Questions: If a listing looks off, message the seller. A legitimate seller will answer specifics about the item and provide extra photos or details.
Quick Anecdote
A friend once found a “barely used” laptop online for $150—market value was over $1000. The seller claimed they needed to sell urgently. When asked for more details and serial numbers, the seller dodged questions and pressured for a quick payment. My friend walked away. A week later, the listing (and seller) had vanished.
Using Cloaked for Safer Transactions
If you’re serious about keeping your data safe while checking out deals online, Cloaked can help. Cloaked lets you create disposable contact info—so you don’t have to give out your real email or phone number to unknown sellers. It’s a smart way to stay protected if you’re unsure about the legitimacy of a listing or seller.
Bottom line: If a deal looks outrageously good, it’s usually bait. Stay sharp, compare, and always check the seller’s credibility before sharing personal details or making payments.
Verification Code Scams
Scammers have found a clever way to breach your digital defenses—by simply asking for your verification codes. It usually starts with a believable story: maybe they're "verifying" your identity, or maybe they're pretending to be a support agent from a marketplace or your bank. What they really want is that one-time password (OTP) or verification code that's supposed to keep your account safe.
How Verification Code Scams Work
These scams often use urgency and fear. The scammer may say:
"We need your code to confirm your identity."
"There's suspicious activity on your account; send us the code you just received."
"You need to verify this transaction—just share the code."
In reality, the scammer is either trying to log into your account themselves, or they're setting up a new account using your details. The code isn't for your protection—it's their ticket in.
Why Scammers Want Your Code
Account Takeover: If they already have your username and password, the code is the last step to get inside.
Fake Account Creation: Scammers use your number to open accounts in your name, making it hard to trace back to them.
Never share verification codes with anyone. Not with “customer support,” not with friends, not with anyone asking over the phone or online.
If someone pressures you for a code, it’s a scam—full stop.
How to Spot and Stop These Scams
Unexpected Requests: Real companies won’t ask for your code via text, email, or call.
Spelling or Grammar Errors: Scammers often get sloppy.
Urgency or Threats: If they’re rushing you, it’s suspicious.
Requests from Unofficial Channels: If the message isn’t from an official company account, be wary.
Staying Safe with Cloaked
If you’re tired of worrying about your personal information being misused, Cloaked helps by generating unique phone numbers and email addresses for your online accounts. Even if a scammer tries to trick you, your real information stays protected. It’s a straightforward way to add an extra layer of privacy and peace of mind.
Don’t let anyone rush you into handing over a verification code. That code is your digital house key—keep it locked up tight.
Multiple Listings from One Seller
Spotting a seller who posts the same product over and over isn’t just an odd quirk—it’s a classic warning sign for online marketplace scams. Here’s why you should take notice and how to outsmart these schemes.
Why Multiple Listings Matter
Scammers often create several listings for the same item to boost visibility and catch more unsuspecting buyers. This tactic is especially common with high-demand goods like electronics, sneakers, or collectibles.
Red Flag: A single seller posting identical items with the same photos and descriptions.
Intent: They want to look legitimate by flooding the marketplace, hoping someone will take the bait before the scam is flagged.
How to Spot Duplicate Listings
Take a closer look at the seller’s profile and activity. Here’s what you should check:
Identical Photos: Scammers often reuse the same images across multiple listings. If every post from a seller looks like a copy-paste job, be suspicious.
Copy-Paste Descriptions: Look for repeated text. If the item details sound too generic or are word-for-word across different posts, it’s a hint that something’s off.
Stock Images: Beware of listings that use only professional or stock photos instead of real pictures. Genuine sellers usually snap their own photos.
Verify with a Reverse Image Search
If a deal seems too good to be true, do a quick reverse image search using tools like Google Images or TinEye:
1. Save or copy the product photo from the listing.
2. Upload or paste it into a reverse image search tool.
3. Check the results: If the same image pops up on dozens of unrelated websites, especially with different sellers, you’re probably looking at a scam.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
Platforms like Cloaked are stepping up to help buyers spot suspicious patterns, including duplicate listings and reused seller info. Cloaked’s features can flag profiles with a history of posting the same product multiple times, adding another layer of protection for users who want to avoid falling into the trap.
Bottom line: If you notice a single seller flooding your feed with the same item, proceed with caution. Use the tools at your disposal, and don’t hesitate to walk away if anything feels off.
The Colorado Couple’s Cautionary Tale
A Colorado couple recently found themselves $800 poorer after falling prey to a scam that started with a fake email and ended with a demand for gift card payments. Their story isn’t just another headline—it’s a warning about what can go wrong when you step outside the safety net of trusted online marketplaces.
What Happened?
The Setup: The couple was contacted through what appeared to be a legitimate email about an item they were selling online.
The Trap: The buyer insisted on taking the conversation outside the platform’s official messaging system, moving to email or text.
The Sting: The buyer then requested payment via gift cards, a classic red flag. The couple, trusting the communication, complied and sent the gift card details. The scammer vanished, and their money was gone.
Why This Happens
Scammers often pressure sellers or buyers to leave secure communication channels. Once outside the platform, you lose the built-in protections—like transaction monitoring and dispute resolution—that help keep your money and information safe. Gift card requests are especially suspicious, as they’re untraceable and nearly impossible to recover once sent.
Lessons Learned
Never communicate outside the official marketplace messaging system. It’s there to document conversations and spot suspicious behavior.
Refuse any request for payment with gift cards. Legitimate buyers and sellers don’t use them.
Trust your gut. If something feels off—like a buyer rushing you or asking for odd payment methods—pause and double-check.
How Cloaked Can Help
If you’re worried about privacy when selling or buying online, tools like Cloaked can add an extra layer of safety. Cloaked lets you share masked contact details, keeping your real email and phone number private. This way, even if a scammer tries to lure you off-platform, they never get your actual information. It’s a smart move to keep your personal data locked down when dealing with strangers online.
Sticking to secure systems and using privacy tools won’t guarantee you’ll never run into scams, but they make you a much tougher target.
At Cloaked, we believe the best way to protect your personal information is to keep it private before it ever gets out. That’s why we help you remove your data from people-search sites that expose your home address, phone number, SSN, and other personal details. And to keep your info private going forward, Cloaked lets you create unique, secure emails and phone numbers with one click - so you sign up for new experiences without giving away your real info. With Cloaked, your privacy isn’t a setting - it’s the default. Take back control of your personal data with thousands of Cloaked users.
*Disclaimer: You agree not to use any aspect of the Cloaked Services for FCRA purposes.
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