---
title: "Marketplace scams: how to spot one | URLert"
description: "A buyer or seller who wants to move off the app, pay you in a strange way, ask for a code, or send their own payment link. How to tell, and what to do."
url: https://www.urlert.com/scams/marketplace
mcp: https://www.urlert.com/mcp
---

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[All scam guides](https://www.urlert.com/scams.md)

# Marketplace buying and selling

A buyer or seller who wants to move off the app, pay you in a strange way, ask for a code, or send their own payment link. How to tell, and what to do.

A marketplace chat

Hi, is this still available? I'll pay full price. Can we talk on WhatsApp? +1 555 0137

On this page

1. What it looks like
2. How to spot one
3. What to do
4. Already acted?
5. Similar scams

## What it looks like

A marketplace chat

Hi, is this still available? I'll pay full price. Can we talk on WhatsApp? +1 555 0137

A text

Text Message

I've paid for your item. Confirm receipt to get your money: https://marketplace-pay.example/receive/8812

A buyer

Before I come, send me the code you just got, so I know you're a real person.

Examples. The names and amounts change; the shape doesn't.

## How to spot one

1. **They want to move to WhatsApp, text or email.** Off the app, the marketplace can't see or help.
2. **Their own payment link, or a “receive money” page.** You never need to type your card to get paid.
3. **A code “to prove you're real”.** That code is for your own account; with it they take it over.
4. **They overpay and ask for the difference back,** or send their own courier.
5. **A seller who wants a deposit** before you've seen the item, or payment by bank transfer.

## What to do

1. **Buy and pay only on the marketplace's own app or website.** Scammers copy marketplace pages, ask to move to WhatsApp or email, or send their own payment link.
2. **Never share a code** someone sends you or asks for.
3. **Meet in a public place and pay when you see the item,** or use the app's own checkout.
4. **Still not sure?** [Check the message](https://www.urlert.com/index.md). We open its link on a phone and a computer, not yours, and tell you what it is.
5. **Report the profile in the app.**

### Already paid, typed your card or shared a code?

- [I gave my card details](https://www.urlert.com/recover/card.md)
- [I gave a password or a code](https://www.urlert.com/recover/password.md)
- [I sent money](https://www.urlert.com/recover/money.md)

## Similar scams

- [Fake shops and free trials](https://www.urlert.com/scams/fake-shops.md)
- [Codes and sign-in requests](https://www.urlert.com/scams/codes-and-sign-in-requests.md)
- [Messages that want you to call or reply](https://www.urlert.com/scams/call-or-reply.md)

On this page

1. What it looks like
2. How to spot one
3. What to do
4. Already acted?
5. Similar scams

[URLert home](https://www.urlert.com/index.md)

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