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View All Marketplace & Local Scams
Online Shopping Scams
| How it works: | A fake website or social media ad offers products at unusually low prices. The buyer pays but receives nothing, counterfeit goods, or a cheap item that does not match the listing. |
| The Hook: | Scammers use attractive photos, fake reviews, countdown timers, and unbelievable discounts. |
| How to avoid it: | Search the store name with scam, reviews, or complaints. Check return policies, contact information, domain details, and payment protections. |
Fake Marketplace Buyer Scams
| How it works: | You list an item for sale and the scammer claims they want to buy it. They may send a fake payment screenshot, overpay by check, ask for a verification code, or involve a fake pickup person. |
| The Hook: | Sellers are excited to make a sale and may overlook red flags when the buyer seems eager. |
| How to avoid it: | Never give verification codes. Do not refund overpayments. Confirm payment inside the actual platform or account before releasing an item. |
Fake Seller Scams
| How it works: | A scammer lists a car, furniture, electronics, tickets, pet, rental, or other item and asks for a deposit, shipping fee, or reservation fee before you see it. |
| The Hook: | The item is priced attractively and the scammer creates urgency by claiming other buyers are waiting. |
| How to avoid it: | Do not pay strangers for items you have not seen or verified. Use platform protections and avoid unusual payment methods. |
Rental Listing Scams
| How it works: | A fake rental listing uses stolen photos from a real property and asks for an application fee, deposit, or first month’s rent before you see the property. |
| The Hook: | Housing is competitive, and people fear losing a good deal. |
| How to avoid it: | Do not send money before seeing the property or verifying ownership or management. Search the address online and be cautious of out-of-town landlords. |
Moving Company Scams
| How it works: | A mover gives a low quote, picks up your belongings, then demands much more before delivery. Some fake movers take deposits and never show up. |
| The Hook: | Moving is stressful, and a cheap quote is tempting. |
| How to avoid it: | Research reviews, license information, and complaints. Get written estimates and avoid large upfront deposits or companies without a real address. |
Contractor / Home Repair Scams
| How it works: | A contractor offers cheap repairs, often after storms or disasters, then demands money upfront, performs poor work, or disappears. |
| The Hook: | Homeowners may be stressed after damage or tempted by a low price. |
| How to avoid it: | Get multiple estimates, verify licensing and insurance, check reviews, and avoid paying the full amount upfront. |
Fake Pet Sale Scams
| How it works: | A scammer advertises puppies, kittens, parrots, or other pets online. After payment, they invent extra shipping, crate, insurance, or vaccination fees. |
| The Hook: | People become emotionally attached to the pet photos. |
| How to avoid it: | Meet the pet in person when possible. Do not send money through risky payment methods. Search images to see if they were stolen. |
Travel / Vacation Scams
| How it works: | Scammers offer fake vacation rentals, discounted trips, timeshare deals, or travel packages. Victims pay deposits or fees and later discover the booking does not exist. |
| The Hook: | The deal looks cheaper than normal, and travel planning can be confusing. |
| How to avoid it: | Book through reputable platforms. Confirm vacation rental ownership. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or payment apps for travel deals from strangers. |