scam type guide
seller-side fraud.
fake payments. Zelle upgrades. chargeback fraud.
Sellers on marketplaces face unique scams: fake payment screenshots, Zelle business upgrade tricks, overpayment schemes, and chargeback fraud. These scams target people selling items on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, and eBay.
1 in 4.
of marketplace sellers targeted
$750.
average seller scam loss
68,000+.
Zelle scam complaints (2024)
94.5%.
suss. detection rate
red flags to watch for.
if you see any of these, suss it out before responding.
fake payment screenshot
Shows a payment confirmation that looks real but the money never arrives in your account.
Zelle business upgrade
Buyer says you need to 'upgrade' to a Zelle business account and asks you to send money to do it.
overpayment scheme
Sends more than asking price with a check, asks you to refund the difference before the check bounces.
wants to ship + pickup later
Creates confusion about delivery to claim item was never received for a chargeback.
won't meet at safe location
Refuses to meet at a police station or public location for the exchange.
asks for personal info
Requests your email, phone, or bank details beyond what the platform requires.
real examples suss. catches.
paste messages like these into suss. for instant analysis.
“I just sent you $500 on Zelle! Check your email. Oh it says I need to send to a business account — can you send me $50 so it upgrades your account?”
HIGH RISK — Zelle upgrade scam
“I'll send a cashier's check for $1,200 for the $800 item. The extra $400 is for the shipping company I'm sending. Just wire them the difference.”
HIGH RISK — overpayment scam
real victim stories.
anonymized cases from actual seller-side fraud reports.
A seller listed a couch for $300 on Marketplace. The 'buyer' sent a fake Zelle email notification and picked up the couch before the seller checked her bank.
Always confirm payment in your actual banking app before handing over items.
A seller received a $2,000 cashier's check for a $1,200 laptop. She wired $800 to the 'shipping company.' The check bounced 5 days later.
Cashier's checks can be faked. Never wire money to cover 'overpayment.'
check it now.
paste a suspicious message below for instant AI analysis.
how to protect yourself.
follow these tips and use suss. to verify anything suspicious.
Always verify payment in YOUR app or bank — never trust screenshots.
Zelle does not have 'business upgrades' that require you to send money.
Never refund overpayments — the original check/payment will bounce.
Meet at a police station or public location for in-person exchanges.
Don't ship items until payment has fully cleared (not just 'pending').
Use the marketplace platform's built-in payment system when available.
think you've seen a seller-side fraud?.
paste the message, email, or link into suss. for an instant AI-powered analysis. free, no signup needed.
related scam types