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Scamwise › Top 10 scams › Marketplace payment scams
Scam #9 of 10 · Buying and selling

Marketplace payment scams: how they work and how to spot them

Updated October 2026 · 4 minute read

On Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji, a buyer sends a fake payment email, overpays and asks for a refund, or sends a 'verification code' trick to hijack your account.

How the scam works

Like almost every scam, this one follows a three step script:

  1. The hook. Something believable lands in front of you: a message, a call, an ad or a new "friend".
  2. The pressure. Urgency, fear, excitement or secrecy, so you act before you think or talk to anyone.
  3. The payment. A method that can't be reversed: gift cards, crypto, a Bitcoin ATM, or an e-Transfer to a stranger.

Spot any one of those three steps and you can stop the whole thing.

Red flags to watch for

  • Buyer won't meet, sends a courier instead
  • Payment confirmation by email, not in your bank
  • Asks for a code sent to your phone
  • Pressure to keep it secret or to act right now.
  • Any request for gift cards, crypto, a Bitcoin ATM or an e-Transfer to a person's name.

What to do if it happens to you

Only accept payment you can see in your own bank account. Meet in a public place. Never share verification codes.

If you already paid or shared details

  1. Call your bank or card issuer right away and ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
  2. Change any password you entered, and turn on two step verification.
  3. Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501) in Canada, or reportfraud.ftc.gov in the US.
  4. File a police report and keep every message, receipt and screenshot.
  5. Watch out for "recovery" offers. Anyone promising to get your money back for a fee is running a second scam.

Related scams

  • Fake pet sale: Cute puppy or kitten listed cheap; shipping, insurance and vet fees keep coming.
  • Counterfeit goods: Fake brand items sold as genuine, often through social media ads.
  • Fake vehicle sale: Car listed below value by a seller who is 'overseas' and ships after payment.
  • Ticket scam: Fake or duplicated concert and sports tickets sold online.
  • Subscription trap: A 'free trial' that turns into hard to cancel monthly charges.
  • Brushing scam: Unsolicited packages sent to you so the seller can post fake reviews in your name.

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