How to Spot Fake Listings on OfferUp Before You Get Scammed

Published on June 6, 2025 by SureBuy.io Team

OfferUp has become one of the most popular peer-to-peer resale marketplaces in the United States. With its wide reach, ease of use, and mobile-friendly interface, millions of buyers and sellers turn to OfferUp to transact everything from electronics and furniture to vehicles and collectibles. But where there’s convenience, scammers often follow. In recent years, fake listings have proliferated the platform—some shockingly convincing, others with red flags that experienced users can spot from a mile away.

If you've ever seen a deal that seemed a little too good to be true on OfferUp, you probably weren't alone. And chances are, it probably wasn’t genuine. Fake listings have cost users both money and trust, but with the right know-how, you can outsmart the scammers and protect your wallet and your peace of mind.

Why Fake Listings Are a Growing Problem on OfferUp

OfferUp prides itself on local, in-person transactions, which should ideally increase transparency. However, the platform’s rapid growth also brought challenges in moderating user activity. Fake accounts—often operated by fraud rings or bots—create listings designed to steal money, personal information, or both.

Scammers rely on a mix of social engineering, emotional manipulation, and the buyer’s desire for a great deal. Whether you're new to OfferUp or a seasoned user, understanding the methods behind fake listings is the first step toward identifying and avoiding them.

10 Warning Signs of a Fake Listing on OfferUp

Spotting fake listings before engaging with a seller can save you both time and money. Here are the top signs to watch out for:

1. Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals: If you see a $600 iPhone listed for $150 or a luxury handbag for a fraction of its value, be cautious. Scammers often lure potential victims with price tags that seem irresistible.
2. Stock Photos or Generic Images: Genuine sellers usually upload photos of the actual item, often taken at home or in personal settings. Listings that feature stock images or photos taken from other sites (like retail product listings) could be fake.
3. No Profile Picture or New Account: Scammers tend to create throwaway accounts. If the seller has no profile photo, minimal ratings, or very recent account activity, consider that as a warning.
4. Unusually Vague or Generic Descriptions: Fake listings often have minimal, poorly written, or copy-pasted descriptions. Sellers who don’t seem to know details about the item they’re selling may not actually own it.
5. Inconsistent Location Information: Be wary if the listing location doesn't match up with previous listings on the user’s profile or if the seller suddenly changes the meet-up point to a remote area.
6. Requests to Move Off-Platform: If the seller asks to take the conversation to WhatsApp, text, or email immediately after contact, that’s a classic scammer move. OfferUp’s chat is there to protect users.
7. Pressure to Act Quickly: Scammers often use urgency to pressure buyers into making rash decisions—saying things like "a lot of people are interested" or "deal goes away by tonight".
8. Seller Refuses to Meet in Person: OfferUp is designed for local transactions. If a seller insists on shipping the item or won't facilitate a meeting, that's a major red flag.
9. Payment Requests Through Unprotected Methods: Be cautious if the seller asks for payment via gift cards, PayPal Friends and Family, Zelle, or other untraceable means. These are notoriously used in fraud.
10. Too Many Listings with Identical Descriptions: Scan the seller's profile. A scam profile may have multiple unrelated items posted at unbeatable prices, all with identical or suspiciously similar descriptions.

Real Examples of Fake OfferUp Listings

Let’s examine a few examples of actual OfferUp scams reported by users:

• The Phantom Vehicle: A user listed a 2014 Jeep for $2,000, claiming to be deployed overseas and needing a "quick sale." They pushed for an eBay Motors purchase—but the listing was nowhere on eBay, and the seller requested prepaid gift cards.
• The Luxury Tech Trap: Dozens of listings in a regional area featured MacBooks under $300, iPhones around $150, and even PlayStations for $100—using the same background and photos. All sellers avoided meeting in public and pushed for shipping with advance payment.
• The Identity Fisher: Some listings are actually phishing attempts. One victim reported messaging about a bicycle, only for the seller to ask them to "verify their OfferUp account" via a suspicious link that mimicked an OfferUp login page.

How to Verify if a Listing is Legitimate

If you’ve found an item you're interested in, here are steps to make sure the listing is genuine:

• Reverse Image Search: Download and use Google Image Search or TinEye to check if the product image exists elsewhere, especially in stock photo libraries or e-commerce listings.
• Profile Review: Check the seller's ratings and reviews, length of time on OfferUp, and previous items sold. A profile with real feedback is less likely to be a scam.
• Ask Specific Questions: Scammers often get tripped up in details. Ask for things like how long they've had the item, serial numbers (for electronics), or a fresh photo with a timestamp or finger pointing to a unique part.
• Suggest Safe Meet-Up Locations: Propose meeting at a police station or OfferUp Community Meetup Spot. Student responses or refusals without reason can be revealing.

The Value of In-App Messaging and Payment

OfferUp’s in-app chat helps keep communication secure. While they don’t have native payment processing for local sales, you should never use third-party platforms for discussing or conducting payment outside the app unless you're protected. Always avoid wire transfers, gift cards, crypto, or any method of payment that lacks consumer protections.

In fact, OfferUp recommends using cash for in-person transactions and strongly discourages sending money to people you've never met.

What to Do If You Encounter a Fake Listing

If you suspect a listing is fraudulent, here’s what you should do immediately:

• Report the Listing: OfferUp allows users to flag items from within the listing screen. Choose your reason (e.g., “Suspicious/fraudulent”) to help get it removed.
• Block the Seller: Blocking prevents further messages and contact attempts. It also prevents them from seeing your listings or account activity.
• Don’t Engage Further: If the seller starts asking strange questions, sends questionable links, or pressures payment, disengage immediately.
• File an Incident Report with Local Authorities: If you’ve lost money or compromised personal info, contact your local police department and file a report. You may also report the scam to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission).

Extra Tips from the SureBuy.io Safety Team

• Use platforms like SureBuy’s Listing Analyzer to assess OfferUp posts for warning signs of fraud before you transact.
• Stick to cash or trusted digital payments in person (like Venmo with buyer protection). Note: Not all P2P platforms offer dispute resolution, so know before you send.
• Always meet in a public, well-lit area during daylight hours, preferably at a police station or designated meetup points.
• Trust your instincts. If anything feels off, walk away. No deal is worth the risk of being scammed.

Wrapping Up: Stay Smart, Stay Safe

Fake listings are frustrating and dangerous, but with the right knowledge, you can browse OfferUp with confidence. Always start by questioning deals that feel too good, vetting sellers thoroughly, and insisting on safe transactions. Scammers rely on impulsive buyers and pressure tactics, but informed users can easily sidestep their traps.

Using tools like SureBuy.io, performing extra diligence, and staying within OfferUp’s guidelines will dramatically reduce your risk of falling victim to fraud. Share this information with friends and loved ones who are new to resale platforms, so they can stay safe, too.

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