Buying and selling
Sent a fake payment confirmation
A buyer sends a screenshot or email showing the payment went through, or that it's 'pending' until you ship or upload tracking, or that you need to upgrade to a business account (for a fee) to receive it. Your balance never changes. Sellers on Facebook Marketplace and eBay report this constantly.
What it looks like
- An email that looks like Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo saying funds are on hold until you ship.
- A screenshot of a 'completed' payment that isn't in your account.
- 'You need to upgrade to a business account, I'll send $300 extra to cover it, just refund the difference.'
- Urgency: 'my courier is on the way, please ship today.'
How do fake payment screenshots work?
The proof looks official, and the story explains why the money isn't there yet. Once you ship, or refund the 'extra', the real transaction never existed. Payment apps are clear about this: money is real only when it shows in your balance, and none of them hold funds until you upload tracking.
What to do
- Ship nothing and refund nothing until the money is in your account balance, not an email or a screenshot.
- Check the app itself, not the message. Zelle and Venmo don't have 'business upgrade' holds.
- If you already shipped or refunded, contact your bank or the app and the carrier now.
- Report the buyer to the marketplace and add the number here.
More in the tips: Buying, selling, and payment apps.
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