--- title: "Marketplace scams: Facebook, Vinted and eBay | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/marketplace-seller-scams source: TapSafely description: "Fake payment links, overpayments and couriers that never come. How marketplace scams target both sellers and buyers, and how to trade safely." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Scam guides](https://tapsafely.com/scams/)/ Marketplace buyer and seller scams # Marketplace buyer and seller scams You list a sofa. Within minutes a buyer wants it, no questions asked, and sends a link to “receive your payment” through a delivery service. Or you find a bargain phone that the seller can only post after you pay by bank transfer. By the TapSafely editorial team · Updated 16 September 2026 · 3 min read ## In short Fake payment links, overpayments and couriers that never come. How marketplace scams target both sellers and buyers, and how to trade safely. **Top warning signs:** You need to enter card details to receive money; The buyer doesn't want to see the item; Payment screenshots or emails instead of money in your account. **First thing to do:** Keep all messages and payments inside the platform's official system. Example · Marketplace chat · Illustrative, links disabled Buyer Hi, is this still available? I'll take it at your price. I've paid through the platform's secure delivery service, my courier will collect. Click here to receive your money: market-secure-pay[.]online/receive An example scam message with the warning signs highlighted. ## How the scam works **Targeting sellers:** fake buyers send links to pages that look like the marketplace or a courier, asking for card details to “receive” money. Others “overpay” with a fake payment confirmation and ask you to refund the difference. **Targeting buyers:** fake sellers list popular items cheaply, push for bank transfer or “friends and family” payments with no protection, and disappear, or send a link to a fake checkout. ## Red flags to look for - **You need to enter card details to receive money.** Receiving money never requires your card number or CVV. - **The buyer doesn't want to see the item.** Especially for expensive goods. - **Payment screenshots or emails instead of money in your account.** Check your actual balance. - **Pressure to leave the platform's messaging and payments.** You lose the platform's protection. - **Prices that are too good.** Especially phones, consoles, tickets and pets. ## What to do if you get one 1. Keep all messages and payments inside the platform's official system. 2. As a seller, only hand over items when money is visible in your real account. As a buyer, prefer in-person collection or protected payment methods. 3. Check any link with TapSafely before entering details. ## If you already paid or shared details ### Act quickly. It makes a difference. 1. Report the user to the marketplace and contact your bank or payment provider. Card and protected payments can often be disputed. 2. If you entered card details on a fake page, block your card immediately. More help: [what to do after a scam, and where to report it in your country](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed). ## Questions people ask Is PayPal “friends and family” safe for buying from strangers? It usually removes buyer protection. Use “goods and services” or the platform's own checkout. ## Official sources and further reading We check our guides against advice from government agencies and consumer protection bodies. - [Buying and selling scams](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/buying-and-selling-scams) (Scamwatch, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) - [Buying From an Online Marketplace](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/buying-online-marketplace) (US Federal Trade Commission) - [Merchandise and vendor fraud](https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/scams-fraudes/merchandise-marchandises-eng.htm) (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre) ### Got a message like this? Paste the message or link Check it free ### Still unsure? Describe what happened and our AI assistant will help, in any language. Ask TapSafely ### On this page 1. [How it works](#how) 2. [Red flags](#red-flags) 3. [What to do](#what-to-do) 4. [If you already paid](#already-paid) 5. [Questions](#faq) 6. [Sources](#sources) ### Seen this scam? Your report helps warn people in your area. [Report it](https://tapsafely.com/report?category=marketplace) ## Related guides [Guide ### Fake online shops Huge discounts, countdown timers and a shop that never delivers. How to check whether an online store is real before you… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-online-shops)[Guide ### Phishing links and fake login pages Learn the one skill that stops most scams: reading who really owns a link. With examples of look-alike addresses and fak… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/phishing-links)[Guide ### Fake delivery texts and customs-fee scams Got a text saying your parcel is on hold until you pay a small fee? See how fake delivery texts work, the red flags, and… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-delivery-texts)