Furniture / Appliance Non-Delivery Scam
You pay upfront for furniture or an appliance that is never delivered by a fake seller or store.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
A great price on a couch, fridge, or other large item requires payment before delivery because the seller 'can't hold it.' After you pay by app or transfer, delivery never comes and the seller stops responding. Large items and 'delivery included' offers make paying-first feel normal, which the scammer exploits. Legitimate large-item sales usually let you inspect or use protected payment.
What it usually looks like
- A large item at a great price with 'delivery included.'
- A demand to pay in full before delivery.
- Payment by irreversible app or transfer.
- A seller who then disappears.
Common warning signs
- Full prepayment for delivery you cannot verify.
- Irreversible payment methods only.
- No verifiable business or address.
- Excuses for why you cannot inspect first.
Example wording scammers use
“Brand-new sofa, delivery included — pay the $450 now and it arrives tomorrow.”
“I can't hold the fridge; Zelle the payment and I'll schedule delivery.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Full payment for goods they won't deliver.
- Irreversible transfers.
- To vanish after payment.
What to do
- Inspect large items or use protected payment before paying in full.
- Avoid irreversible payment to unknown sellers.
- Verify the seller/business independently.
- Prefer local, in-person transactions.
What to do if you already responded
- Contact your bank or payment app about the transfer.
- Report the seller to the marketplace.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.