'I'll Send a Courier' Item Pickup Scam
A buyer insists on sending their own courier and, through a fake shipping company, gets you to pay 'courier fees' or hand over the item without real payment.
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What this scam is
For a local sale, the 'buyer' says they cannot come and will send a courier. A fake shipping company then emails that payment is 'held' until you pay a courier or insurance fee, which they promise to refund. You pay real money and hand over the item, but the buyer's payment never clears. It is a blend of overpayment and fake-payment tricks wrapped around a 'courier.'
What it usually looks like
- A buyer who insists on their own courier and cannot meet.
- Emails from a 'shipping company' about held payment and fees.
- A request for you to pay a courier or insurance fee first.
- Promises to reimburse the fee with the purchase.
Common warning signs
- Being asked to pay any fee to complete a sale.
- 'Payment held until you pay the courier.'
- A buyer avoiding in-person meeting for a local item.
- Emails from a shipping company you cannot verify.
Example wording scammers use
“My courier will collect it. The payment is held by the shipping company until you pay the $120 insurance fee (fully refundable).”
“Send the courier fee via Zelle and we'll release your full payment plus the fee.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- You to pay fake courier/insurance fees.
- Your item with no real payment.
- To exploit trust in 'shipping companies.'
What to do
- Never pay a fee to receive a payment or complete a sale.
- Prefer local, in-person cash for local items.
- Ignore 'shipping company' emails demanding fees.
- Walk away if a buyer will not meet or pay normally.
What to do if you already responded
- Contact your bank or the payment app about the fee you sent.
- Keep all messages and emails.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.