11/21/2025
š Online Marketplace Scam Series ā Day 3
Beware the āFake Pickup / Fake Shipping Labelā Scam
Selling something on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist? Be cautious if a ābuyerā says:
ā¢ āI canāt meet in person.ā
ā¢ āIāll send a courier to pick it up.ā
ā¢ āI already paidācheck your email!ā
ā¢ āYou just need to pay a small shipping fee first. Iāll reimburse you.ā
ā These are major red flags.
Here's how the scam works:
š The scammer pretends theyāve paid you, and you receive an official-looking fake email from a ācourierā or āpayment serviceā saying the money is pending.
š They pressure you to pay a shipping or insurance fee up front, often through Venmo, Cash App, or gift cards. They promise it will be refundedā¦ but it never is.
š Or, they send a fake prepaid shipping label and have a ācourierā pick up your item before you realize no payment ever came through.
By the time the you notice, both the money and the item are gone.
How to Protect Yourself
ā Only sell locally and meet in public places.
ā Never pay a buyerās āshipping fee.ā Legit buyers donāt ask for this.
ā Ignore emails claiming payment is āon hold.ā Real platforms donāt do that.
ā Check your actual bank or payment app - donāt trust screenshots.
ā If the buyer refuses to meet in person, walk away.
Fraud thrives on urgency and confusion. Slow down, double-check, and protect yourself and your money.
