Marketplace overpayment

Buyer 'accidentally' overpays and asks you to refund the difference.

How it works

On Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay, a buyer sends a fake payment confirmation for more than the asking price and asks you to refund the difference via Zelle / Cash App. The original payment never clears.

Red flags

Buyer pays without negotiation
Pays more than asked and wants a refund of the difference
Insists on shipping via their own courier

Real-world example

"I sent $850 instead of $500 by mistake — please send $350 back via Zelle and my courier will pick up tomorrow."

What to do

01Never refund until the payment has actually settled in your account.
02Use the platform's built-in payment, not Zelle / Cash App / wire.
03Block the buyer and report on the platform.

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