🛍️ The Marketplace Scam: When Online Deals Turn Into Traps

🛍️ The Marketplace Scam: When the Sale Isn’t Real

Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, and Poshmark make it easier than ever to buy and sell with just a few clicks. But where money flows, scams follow. The **Marketplace Scam** is one of the most common ways fraudsters trick people out of cash, goods, or even personal information.

What It Is

The setup is simple: a scammer poses as either a buyer or a seller.

**As a fake buyer:** They claim they’ve paid for your item, sometimes even sending a “payment confirmation” screenshot. In reality, no money was ever sent. If you ship the item before verifying, you lose both the item and the money.

**As a fake seller:** They list goods that don’t exist or misrepresent what’s being sold. Once you’ve paid — especially through non-secure methods — the item never arrives, and the scammer vanishes.

Scammers often go beyond the platform itself. You might receive an **email that looks like it’s from Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Poshmark** saying your item sold — sometimes just minutes after you posted it. The email urges you to “click here to claim your payment.” The page it leads to looks convincing, but instead of sending you money, it asks for your credit card or bank details. These platforms never work this way, but in the excitement of a quick sale, victims can get tricked.

Red Flags to Watch For

🚩 Requests to move the transaction **off-platform** (to text, WhatsApp, or email).

🚩 **Fake payment confirmations** or screenshots.

🚩 **Emails or messages about your item selling** — especially if they ask for credit card info to “release” funds.

🚩 Insistence on **unusual payment methods** (gift cards, wire transfers, Zelle, or direct bank deposits).

🚩 Prices that are **too good to be true** — either from buyers offering way over asking, or sellers listing rare items at suspiciously low prices.

The Psychology of the Scam

Marketplace scams exploit two powerful emotions: **urgency** and **excitement.**

**The rush of a quick sale:** Posting an item and getting a “buyer” within minutes feels rewarding. Scammers know you’re more likely to click fast and skip double-checking.

**Fear of losing a deal:** Buyers get pressured with “other people are interested” tactics, while sellers get rushed with “payment already sent” claims.

**False legitimacy:** Professional-looking emails and payment pages mimic the branding of platforms like Poshmark or eBay, making them feel real at first glance.

It’s a manipulation of momentum — scammers keep you moving quickly so you don’t stop and question.

What To Do If You Suspect a Scam

**Keep all communication on the platform.** Facebook, Poshmark, and eBay have built-in protections — but only if you stay in their system.

2. **Verify payments directly.** Log in to your bank, PayPal, or Poshmark balance instead of trusting screenshots or email notices.

3. **Never enter payment info to “receive” money.** Legitimate platforms don’t require your credit card to pay you.

4. **Pause before shipping.** If the buyer is rushing, that’s a red flag.

5. **Report and block.** Use the marketplace’s reporting tools to shut down fake accounts.

A Final Word

Marketplace scams are tricky because they prey on trust in platforms we use every day — Facebook, eBay, Poshmark, Craigslist. The best defense is to slow down, verify payments, and remember: if someone wants you to leave the platform, they probably don’t want to play fair.

And if you’re ever unsure? We’re here to help. At https://amibeingscammed.tech, we review suspicious emails, messages, and listings so you don’t have to second-guess alone.