Scam Prevention
Marketplaces attract scammers. Here are the common scams we see, the red flags, and what to do if it happens to you.
The 10 most common scams (and how to spot them)
1. Overpayment / fake check
Buyer sends a check for more than asking price, asks you to refund the difference. The check bounces days later. Defense: never wire money based on a deposit that hasn't fully cleared (5-10 business days for checks).
2. Fake escrow service
Counter-party insists on using an "escrow company" you've never heard of, with a slick website. It's a phishing site harvesting bank info. Defense: only use nationally-known escrow (Escrow.com, escrow services at major title companies) or a local attorney.
3. Wire fraud on land deals
Just before closing, you receive an email "from the title company" with updated wire instructions. The email is spoofed; the wire goes to a scammer. Defense: ALWAYS call the title company at a number you looked up yourself (not from the email) to verify wire instructions. Every time. No exceptions.
4. Phantom listing
Scammer copies a real listing (photos and all) and reposts it at a cut-rate price to attract deposits before anyone notices. Defense: reverse-image-search photos. Check if the same property appears on multiple sites at different prices.
5. Sight-unseen pressure
"I'm overseas / military / busy — send a deposit to hold it, I'll visit later." Followed by ghosting. Defense: never send a deposit on real estate or high-value gear without seeing it in person, on video, or via an agent you trust.
6. Gift card / crypto / Western Union
Any buyer or seller insisting on payment via gift cards, crypto, or wire-to-Western-Union is laundering money or scamming. Defense: these are NEVER legitimate payment methods for real transactions. Walk away immediately.
7. Off-platform pivot
Within minutes of contact, the other party says "let's just text" or "email me directly." Then they pitch a scam outside our moderation. Defense: keep conversations on OGM until you're verified satisfied. Our messaging is free for both parties; there's no reason to leave.
8. Identity theft via "verification"
Counter-party asks for your driver's license, SSN, or bank routing "to verify" before you can do business. Defense: legitimate transactions don't require you to surrender your identity to a stranger. Title companies / lenders verify identity; random buyers don't.
9. Fake job postings (for sellers offering services)
"Job" posters who want you to buy equipment up front, "front the materials," or send a deposit to "secure the gig." Defense: real employers don't ask employees to pay anything to start work.
10. Lemon real estate / undisclosed defects
Property sold with hidden problems — failing septic, contaminated water, easement disputes, unrecorded liens. Defense: ALWAYS get a title search, perc test (for septic), and water test before closing. Title insurance is cheap relative to the catastrophe it prevents.
If you've been scammed
- File a report with us: safety@offgridmarket.net. We'll ban the bad actor and warn other users.
- File with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- If you paid by credit card, dispute the charge with your card issuer immediately.
- If you wired money: contact your bank within 24 hours. Sometimes wires can be recalled.
- File with your state attorney general's consumer protection office.
What OGM does to fight scams
- Every Pro Seller goes through identity verification before getting the badge.
- Every listing is moderated. Flagged listings reviewed within 24 hours.
- Repeated scam reports → permanent ban + IP block.
- Our moderation team reads every escalated message thread.
- We share intelligence on scam patterns with other off-grid platforms when we identify cross-site fraud.
See also: Buyer Safety · Seller Safety · Contact us