Skip to main content

Selling your used stuff online has become commonplace. So have scams taking advantage of the good names of reputable online companies. At the FTC, we’ve heard from people stung by scammers spoofing PayPal. The scam generally goes like this: You post a high-value item, like a used car, for sale online. In no time at all, you get an email from a buyer willing to pay full price — or more! But he sets conditions; he is only willing to pay by PayPal or insists the sale must happen right away. What’s really going on? A ruse to steal your personal information, money or merchandise.

Here are some suspicious situations to look for and steps to safe selling online:

Scenario One: The buyer claims he can only pay via PayPal. Don’t have a PayPal account? No problem, he says. He’ll send you an email with a link so you can set one up.

What should you do? Don’t take the bait. The link will send you to a website masquerading as PayPal. Any information you enter will be collected by the bogus buyer, and may be used to commit fraud. If you need to set up an account, go directly to PayPal.com.

Scenario Two: “Check your email!” The buyer claims he has sent payment to your PayPal account with additional funds so you can ship the merchandise ASAP, but oops, he sent too much money. He asks you to return the extra money via a money wiring service. It’s all a lie, including the extra money the buyer says he included.

What should you do? Log into your PayPal account. Make sure you’ve been paid before you ship. Never follow links in emails from people you don’t know. The safest approach is to open a browser window, navigate to PayPal.com, and log in yourself. Also, if the buyer claims to have sent extra money, and asks for some back, that’s a big red flag.

Scenario Three: The buyer sends you real money through a real PayPal account, and you ship him the car. Problem is, the PayPal account belongs to someone else! You might need to return the money even though the scammer has your wheels.

What now? Contact PayPal and ask them to open an investigation. The company offers seller protections so you aren’t liable for unauthorized transactions. Also file a complaint with the FTC and your local police department.

Learn how to recognize and avoid common online scams. And contact PayPal at spoof@paypal.com if you’ve been stung by a PayPal spoof. The company wants to hear from you.

Search Terms
buyer
online auction
scam
seller
spoof
Topics
Jobs and Making Money
Scams
All Scams
Phishing Scams

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Mayfairw1
April 27, 2017

In reply to by Rob

And me! Via Motors.co.uk for my car here in London. "Thanks for getting back to me, whats the recent condition and also why u selling it,are u the original owner,how recent are the pics on the ad? I am OK with your asking price and if you dont mind, I can only pay through PayPal at the moment due to my work and pickup agent is avail to come and pick it up after payment made,all i need is the email u use in setting it up and ur name so that i can make the payment and u will be notify by paypal as soon as am done.arrangement for the picking follows as paypal will update u on that after transaction completed"
Rob
May 01, 2017

In reply to by Rob

I'm a flight attendant at AA so my schedule tends to be a little crazy and I'll be flying back & forth, i won't able to deal in person, so cash is not an.... Goes on, thought it was funny cuz my name is rob as well haha!!
Sheila M
May 10, 2017

In reply to by Rob

I just got this same message from "Ann Grove" via text phone # 732-908-8416
Carissalynn
May 17, 2017

In reply to by Sheila M

+14086183622 Ann Grove Great, I'm a flight attendant at AA so my schedule tends to be a little crazy and I'll be flying back & forth, i won't able to deal in person, so cash is not an option for me... but i have a Mover that will be coming for the pickup after the payment has been made and cleared. Hi, I have completed the payment and i expect you to have gotten the confirmation email from paypal about it and the pickup process.I wanted to let you know i added the pick up agent commission fee in your payment because the pick up agent only accepts payment via Western Union Transfer which i couldn't do due to my current location.Kindly look into your INBOX or SPAM for notification alert from paypal and let me know if you got and understand the process As per the email sent to me which is similar to yours,The payment is on hold until you follow the instruction given to you, which is for you to make the transfer of the added $400 upfront via western union to the mover name and address HQ and email the western union details to paypal by replying to the confirmation email you got about the payment along with a picture of western union receipt for verification and your account will be Reimbursed with total funds for withdrawal.. Do you understand now?

This just happened today. So sketchy!!!

Wibbly
May 15, 2017

In reply to by Rob

I got the very same word for word message from the same person! "She" responded to both my items the same way. I feel bad for people that get scammed by these jerks.
Ah Guan
May 18, 2017

In reply to by Wibbly

These people are terrible! I got a room to rent and this person even sent me an ID card info and offered to pay her rent thru paypal. Please do not trust these people! The email goes like this: Hello i hope you are having a nice time over there,i need to ask for a favor from you before i transfer the fund to you,i have been extremely busy here with the summit,i got the chance to check my mail now and i have receive several messages from my mover that i have to settle the cost of moving my things down to spore before any actions can be taken and the charges is $1001 for the pick up and delivery of my stuffs,i have look for a solution to get the payment over to them but unfortunately my co workers are here with me so no one to run around in china to get this done for me so the only solution i have now is to add up the cost of $1001 to the initial deposit of $850 for my rent,so that you could just help me get the payment across to them via western union money transfer the total i will be sending over to you now will be $1,851, i will add up $100 for the running around expense so that the burden wont be on you,please you will have to help me get the payment over to them via western union money transfer to there head office in china,you can find any western union outlet around or post office closer to you i will transfer the fund over to you via Paypal here,i will keep you posted once i am done with the payment,i would have sought this out before i leave but i never knew this will come up,i will be so glad if you could just help me get this sought out in order to save me from extra stress when i get there and also the cost of rescheduling my stuffs,please keep an eye on your Paypal email address for notification, ***************************** PLEASE DO NOT BE GREEDY AND BE SCAMMED. Cheers.
Ashkanet
August 20, 2017

In reply to by Wibbly

I got an email from a person who wants to buy my art work and I got the same word to word message on my mail. She is assuring me that I will get the full payment once I do the shipping cost as she doesnt have money gram in her country. She is been telling "I sware you will get your full money deposited in your account". I am not sure if it is spam or in real she wants to buy my art work.
OWEN Z
October 09, 2017

In reply to by Ashkanet

Don't believe it, it's a hoax. I was tricked into $600 just a few days ago. From fake PayPal E-mail, they said the money has been received, the buyer pay the 600 freight and PayPal temporarily keep all the money, when I turn to the handling company after 600 handling fee, all the money to my account. Actually the PayPal email was fake.
slink
June 09, 2017

In reply to by Rob

Got the exact same thing in CT today. Told them I reported them to the FTC.
Ron
June 28, 2017

In reply to by Rob

I got this today for an item I posted for sell on Craigslist. (I am an investigator with the government) The wording was verbatim except the name of the airline attendant was "Suzi. The number they used was (936) 587-8160. Be careful folks.
Lina
May 07, 2017

In reply to by Rob

I just had the same message from Bianca concerning two high end items I'm selling. I hate frippen scammers. There's got to be something done about these leeches.
cruzch2
November 16, 2017

In reply to by Rob

Same exact flight attendant at AA wanted the same deal with me. 510-322-7774 Ann.
HalimaB
May 30, 2017

In reply to by Jon

I just want to know more about it to make sure its in good condition so can you assure me i will not be disappointed???And also ,I need to inform you about this,just received an email from my pick up agent...am most sure i did not include that in my previous email,They said they won't come for the pick up unless i pay him the agent commission fee first in order to be able to schedule a pick up time.I am a Chief Engineer as my position on the sea here,the ship i am on is the Fleet Aircraft Carrier.I am so busy and can not pay the agent fees from here as they Requested that i pay them with Western Union.So what i will do here is that i will send the payment in the total amount of £250.So once you receive the confirmation of the payment from PayPal,you will deduct the promised amount for the pet which is £100 and the remaining £150 will be send down to my agent By Western Union.I have tried to paid it direct here but there is no Western Union on the ship,So i believe you can handle this for me. Seemed too good to be real lol
Ashley76
May 15, 2018

In reply to by Jon

This was mine for my furniture... Okay please consider it sold as i am willing to pay your full asking price because i need to buy it for my cousin asap, i have read through the advert and i'm totally satisfied with it,sadly i would not be able to come personally to collect due to my hearing loss and me being in wheelchair. I have a courier agent that would help me to pick it up at your preferred location after you have received your money and i'll pay you via PayPal today. Where is the pick up location so that i can inform the courier agent now?
Tray
October 08, 2018

In reply to by Ashley76

Hi i placed a ad on gumtree last night got a reply at 5.30am this morning willing to buy all my 4 furniture items . They are willing to pay full price but cannot come to inspect has they are deaf & wheelchair bound. They are buying for there son but will send a courier & pay through paypal only . Her name is jenniferannie anyone had dealings with her
Rayandbee
March 15, 2019

In reply to by Tray

I had the same experience, “deaf and in a wheel chair” very insistent about the urgency, which rang bells to me. I have always said to people how do they fall fo scams but I nearly did. I notified the person I had already sold it and swiftly deleted all the ads and emails they sent. The alarm bells rang when I noticed that the email was timed at 5am which I thought was a bit strange.
M in Virginia
April 05, 2017

In reply to by Don't use your…

Ditto on this language used in response to CraigsList Ad. "Buyer" wanted to send money to my bank account.... Didn't mention PayPal though. Didn't fall for it - this one had SCAM written all over it.
Carole
May 17, 2017

In reply to by Don't use your…

Got same one for a boat. Buying for his son. Working for military, sending a courier to pick it up.
Adam
May 19, 2017

In reply to by Carole

I was just texted on my phone. glad I checked for scamms before I did anything.
emma
May 27, 2017

In reply to by Don't use your…

Had this exact same text and email today from 'Shannon scolffied' and almost fell for it stupidly! Sellers beware
Marathonman
May 30, 2017

In reply to by Don't use your…

Same email I got but I gave my address & Phone number was this a mistake

Kezie
September 28, 2017

In reply to by Don't use your…

Hi what was there name I just had the same thing from gumtree from a email with Barbara at the start and also i got same thing last year when selling another car from a different name I think.
Downsizing@47
November 19, 2017

In reply to by Don't use your…

I had almost this same message today about my accordion using the name Elizabeth Watkins said she wanted it for her cousin but she had just had a cancer operation and could not speak but would send her courier to an identified collection point. She wanted my PayPal information to set up payment but I sent her back a note to say given her condition my husband would be happy to deliver to her address if she could forward it to me.
CLo
December 06, 2017

In reply to by Downsizing@47

Just had the same message from this person trying to buy the musical instruments I was selling on gumtree. What was her response to your offer of delivery?
Katie
February 05, 2018

In reply to by Downsizing@47

I had the exact same person, Elizabeth Watkins, trying to buy my piano. She said it was for her cousin's birthday, and that she had a throat cancer surgery recently. It's definitely a scammer. They asked for £320 to be sent to 'MoneyGram'. Don't fall for it!!
T
November 19, 2017

In reply to by Don't use your…

Had a very similar contact for a car we have for sale on gum tree, smelled instantly of a scam hence researching and finding this page. A lady named Rose, disabled and in a wheel chair buying for their cousin. PayPal payment at full asking price. Hmmmm lol
shellg8
February 27, 2018

In reply to by Don't use your…

I've just had this email via gum tree. Did a bit if research and hey presto it's a scam. I told them to take a hike and reported it. The tale is over a year old... beware.
Kas1979
July 16, 2018

In reply to by Don't use your…

Same email and text message to about car, this person said she has loss of hearing and recovering from heart surgery went by the name Deborah andrie
Bex
July 25, 2020

In reply to by Kas1979

hey Deborah Andrie just trued it on me. £100 sofa that she wants shipped but I need to send £300 to courier. She has hearing loss and heart surgery. Unbelievable !!!!
Alice
November 30, 2020

In reply to by Bex

Deborah Andrie just tried to buy my sewing machine - she still recovering from heart surgery and hearing loss apparently!
jyoti
July 28, 2020

In reply to by Kas1979

Deborah Andrie This woman did the same to me Pay pal said if I don’t pay the funds they will take legal action
K1990
November 09, 2020

In reply to by Kas1979

Just had the same from Deborah Andre for our car! Wanting to pay via PayPal and hearing loss and heart surgery story too!
Toni A
June 07, 2017

In reply to by MN

I had a guy text me telling me he was gonna pay double what I asked. He said he'd do a bank transfer or paypal. I initially said bank transfer because k don't use PayPal. But he said "it's not advisable to give out your info blahblah get paypal." I set it up and send him the link to my paypal yet he asked for my full name and email. First red flag. Then I got the email about payment pending and will post when I send verification of the item being shipped... to nigeria. I then looked online and found this thank God. A few hours later another person did the same thing. I told them it was scam and they never replied again.
HM
June 13, 2017

In reply to by MN

+1 (469) 892-8762 Texted me trying to buy my boAt . Offered $5500 so I agreed then he sent me a payment of 6200 through a fake PayPal email services@    paypal              What an idiot . Checked my PayPal no payment. Never contacted me again. Thanks for the waste of time .

maggie
September 08, 2017

In reply to by MN

I was selling my beautiful wedding dress off kijiji & i was estatic that someone was interested in purchasing it. Good thing I searched this up because I knew the email he sent me was too good to be true. It started off as a text saying "Michelle roth wedding dress size 8 Hi, I'm texting you concerning your advert on Kijiji, I'm interested! Please contact me if this is still available.let me know your final price, as i intend to buy it right away. pls Kindly reply me direct to my personal email ( princesslinda091 @ ) Regards Linda" When i read this text, i was curious to know why their number was out of the area codes in the Greater Toronto Area. Anyways, i gave this person an email with information with the dress & i got an email back.. "Hi, How are you doing ?how i wish to come and view it in person but am out of town, I am an underwater photographer (shooting for Discovery) and was sponsored by another dry suit company in states, So i won't be able to come and do things personally,I have gone through the AD and am satisfied with the condition and the price,consider me as your favorite buyer,i will arrange for a shipping courier company that will come and pick it up at your door step or anywhere you prefer as soon as you received payment, I usually pay with cash but due to my current position,i will be paying you through PayPal which is fast, safe and reliable method of payment and . I'll add the 3.9% PayPal surcharge to the firm price. kindly send me your PayPal payment invoice or create an account at www.paypal.com if you don't have one and set it up within 5mins, Please Get back to me with the details below : Full Name: PayPal Email address: Cell Phone No: Total Amount: I am eagerly waiting to hear from you. Thank you very much for your time. Greetings," Now this is the email that got me suspicious. Beware guys. It was a close call for me.
Hawaiian Time
September 10, 2017

In reply to by MN

I have a used car for sale that I posted on 4 different online websites. Each time an ad went live, I immediately got a text msg from a person want to buy my car with PayPal because they were in the militany and deployed, could not pick up the car but their agent would, Bla, Bla, Bla! I do not use PayPal and NEVER will! I've had 4 scammers try this. 1 claimed to be the Commander of the 10th Mtn Div at Ft Bragg, NY. I have told them all that I will NOT accept PayPal and then never hear from then again. It's a Crock of Crap, Don't fall for it!!!
Penny H
September 29, 2017

In reply to by MN

Hi Thanks to your site and honest information I stopped just before sending $500 to some one claiming to be aThomas Coleman in the military who wanted to buy my piano thru Craig's list and use PayPal. I stopped only because I needed to reread the directions from PayPal and noticed may typos and bad English. I was so close. Thanks you. Watch out for Thomas Coleman.
KaJi
October 11, 2017

In reply to by MN

WE nearly fell for scam. Similar scenario; but posed as a grandmother buying $3000.00 leather couch for grandson's birthday. She could not come see couch in person, but would send movers to pick it up. As soon as I mentioned my concerns about Paypal, she disappeared and her Craigslist email was blocked. Feel lucky I listened to my gut.
C Mayrd
October 16, 2017

In reply to by MN

A person from 508 271-1638 tried to tell me he would send his shipping agent and purchase my vehicle through Paypal. I informed him that I had read this page and he has not responded since.
Dee
December 13, 2017

In reply to by MN

I posted a L-shape bunk bed for sale on Craigslist. Person by the name of Frank contacted me saying he want it but he is a biologist away at sea. Wants me to set up an PayPal account and will send movers to get the bunk bed. I decided to look up complaints before I did anything. Thanks for the feedback I hope it helps more people.
Blabla
March 16, 2018

In reply to by MN

I had one trying to buy my 5th wheel trailer. His area code was California and I am in Canada. Said he is a petroliom engineer. Glad I found this page!
Hvactech77
March 19, 2018

In reply to by MN

Just had to same thing happened to me for my motorcycle I’m selling on craigslist. Got the message within a few hours after posting my Ad. Glad to see this site to confirm he is spam. Something told me it was a scam it’s always good to go with your gut. The number he used 508-556-9873
Katya
May 09, 2018

In reply to by Hvactech77

This same number just texted me and wanted to buy my car off Craigslist. He offered full price for it but only through paypal because he has been scammed by cashiers checks before. Something told me to reverse search his phone number and I found your comment. Thank you!
mike
June 26, 2018

In reply to by MN

Posted my motorcycle and within 30 minutes BobbyWest 6787 @gmail.com tried this on me. Although he said nothing about the military, after reading most of these I simply said "I'll take cash or check only (when it clears the bank) I am aware of the Paypal scam" He went away of course
Anthony
January 17, 2019

In reply to by mike

This guy is still using same email address. Just tried to scam me to buy my car. Looked up his email and found this.
sam
October 24, 2018

In reply to by MN

Just happened right now! I was selling a dress on ebay and the buyer asked me to contact them from:(802)7270566 and so i did.... as soon as i pressed accept offer, ebay sent me a message saying they won’t let me sell it to the person but the person is a suspicious buyer. then i wake up to the buyer telling me this: i would love to have it mailed to my daughter as a birthday gift, please can you get an iTunes gift card of $300 inside the package before you ship it, would appreciate you assisting with this cause i work away from home with the US Marines and not in the right position to have it mailed out myself, I will add $300 to your payment for the iTunes gift card and an extra $30 for gas and stress... her user name: hat.chda-93 it’s ridiculous!
Nikita
December 13, 2018

In reply to by MN

I had a used car for sale on Craigslist. Some guy contacted me and told me he had a buyer that would come and get the car if I had a PayPal account. He was buying car for his son but would be in Antarctica for extended months for a scientific exploration. What will they think of next?
Kay
March 27, 2019

In reply to by MN

The following numbers are also scammers who prefer paypal or asking to send a Craigslist code to verify if ur real, dont give them this code. 516-259-6209 772-494-1891
Return to top