The fake courier overpayment scam
A buyer agrees your asking price, sends a fake overpayment screenshot, and asks you to forward the difference to their courier. The courier fee is the only real money — yours.
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The fake courier overpayment scam targets sellers: a fraudulent buyer agrees your full price, sends a forged bank screenshot claiming to have overpaid, and asks you to transfer the “extra” to their courier’s account. No real payment was ever made. Never release goods or forward money until cleared funds appear in your bank — a screenshot proves nothing. Use SilentID PIN Pickup so payment is confirmed inside a secure app before goods change hands. (Source: TSB, 2025)
What is the fake courier overpayment scam?
The fake courier overpayment scam is a seller-targeting fraud predominantly found on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree. Unlike the deposit-before-viewing scam — which targets buyers — this one is designed to extract money from people selling items. A fraudster contacts you, expresses strong interest in your listing, agrees to your asking price without negotiating (a red flag in itself), and explains they will be sending a courier to collect because they cannot attend in person.
They then send a fabricated bank payment confirmation — either a PDF, an image, or a fake email — showing that they have mistakenly sent more than the agreed amount. They apologise for the error and ask you to forward the difference to their courier’s account via Faster Payment before the courier departs. The original payment does not exist. Once you have sent the “courier fee”, they vanish. You have paid a fraudster and have no sale.
How does the fake courier overpayment scam work?
- 01
Initial contact — no negotiation
The fraudster messages about your item and immediately agrees to the full asking price. They explain they are unable to collect in person and will arrange a courier.
- 02
Fake payment sent
They send a screenshot or email confirmation appearing to show a bank transfer, often for more than the agreed price. Common fake amounts are £50–£300 above the selling price.
- 03
"Overpayment" explanation
"I’m so sorry — my partner transferred the wrong amount. Can you send the extra £150 to the courier’s account? They need it for the fuel/booking/deposit."
- 04
Urgency is applied
"The courier is on his way, he just needs the money before he sets off." Time pressure prevents you from checking whether the payment has cleared.
- 05
You transfer to the "courier"
You send the Faster Payment to the provided sort code and account. This is the only real money in the entire transaction.
- 06
Seller vanishes, goods still with you
Unlike the deposit scam, you still have the item — but you have lost the transfer amount. The original "payment" never lands, no matter how long you wait.
What should you do if you have been targeted by the fake courier overpayment scam?
- Do not send any money — if you have spotted the signs before paying, simply end contact and report the listing to the platform.
- If you have already transferred money, call your bank’s fraud line immediately — the number is on the back of your card. Some Faster Payments can be recalled quickly.
- Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 to get a crime reference number.
- Claim under APP fraud rules — since October 2024 UK PSPs must reimburse eligible victims up to £85,000, though only 18% of victims currently recover funds (Source: Cifas).
- Report the listing on Facebook or Gumtree — use the platform’s built-in report feature on both the listing and the profile.
How does SilentID PIN Pickup prevent the fake courier overpayment scam?
PIN Pickup creates a single, auditable payment channel between buyer and seller, managed inside the SilentID app. The buyer pre-authorises the exact agreed amount via card — no more, no less. There is no mechanism for an “overpayment” to occur, no third-party courier account to forward money to, and no screenshot-based confirmation to fake. Payment only clears when both sides confirm at the physical handover. As a seller, you know the money is real and held before you release the goods.
Related guides
7 warning signs of the fake courier overpayment scam
This scam targets sellers. If you are selling anything of value on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, learn these signals before you list.
Buyer never haggles and agrees to your asking price immediately
Legitimate buyers negotiate. A fraudster agrees instantly because they have no intention of actually paying — every penny of the agreed price is irrelevant to their plan.
"I will send my courier to collect"
They cannot collect in person — usually because they are overseas or across the country. They introduce a courier whose account you will be asked to pay money into.
Fake bank confirmation or payment screenshot
They send a screenshot that appears to show a BACS or CHAPS payment of more than your asking price. It is a fabricated image; no money has moved.
Request to forward the "extra" to the courier
They apologise for the overpayment and ask you to send the difference (£50–£500) to a separate account "for the courier". This is the only real payment in the whole transaction — from you to them.
Urgency around the courier’s arrival time
"The courier is setting off now and needs the fuel/booking fee before they leave." Time pressure is used to prevent you checking whether the original payment has actually cleared.
Communication moved to WhatsApp or email very early
Off-platform communication removes the record from Facebook or Gumtree moderation. Always keep the conversation on the platform until after a safe payment has cleared.
Item you are selling is high-value and easily shipped
Vehicles, laptops, gaming consoles, power tools, and white goods are the most common targets. High value means the "overpayment" and "courier fee" are plausibly sized.
Frequently asked questions
Sell safely — PIN Pickup confirms payment before goods change hands
Download SilentID. As a seller, you know the money is real and held before you release the item. No screenshot can fake a PIN Pickup confirmation.
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Reviewed by the SilentID editorial team. We update each guide quarterly with new UK fraud data.