Filed under: Consumers

Is this marketplace seller who wants to move off-platform a scam?

Q: Is this marketplace seller who wants to move off-platform a scam?

Treat it as high-risk. When a seller (or buyer) pushes you off the marketplace to WhatsApp and asks for a bank transfer, gift card, or a “deposit to hold the item”, you lose every buyer protection. That's the point.

Q: seller wants deposit by bank transfer is it a scam

Treat it as high-risk. When a seller (or buyer) pushes you off the marketplace to WhatsApp and asks for a bank transfer, gift card, or a “deposit to hold the item”, you lose every buyer protection. That's the point.

Q: marketplace buyer wants to use whatsapp scam

Treat it as high-risk. When a seller (or buyer) pushes you off the marketplace to WhatsApp and asks for a bank transfer, gift card, or a “deposit to hold the item”, you lose every buyer protection. That's the point.

Q: is it safe to pay a deposit to hold an item

Treat it as high-risk. When a seller (or buyer) pushes you off the marketplace to WhatsApp and asks for a bank transfer, gift card, or a “deposit to hold the item”, you lose every buyer protection. That's the point.

Treat it as high-risk. When a seller (or buyer) pushes you off the marketplace to WhatsApp and asks for a bank transfer, gift card, or a “deposit to hold the item”, you lose every buyer protection. That's the point.

The exhibit

EXHIBIT · PASTED MESSAGE

Received via: WhatsApp EN

Hi, the item is still available! I have other buyers, so send a 20% deposit by bank transfer to hold it and I'll ship today. Let's continue on WhatsApp.

How to verify it yourself

Keep the whole deal inside the platform — chat, payment, everything.
Never pay a deposit by bank transfer or gift card to a stranger.
“Other buyers, act now” urgency is a pressure tactic.
Reverse-image-search the listing photos — scam listings reuse stock images.

Check this message yourself

Or try a real one: