Confirm the payment inside your account
A buyer may send a message saying the payment is pending until you pay a fee, upgrade your account or provide a code. Check the claim through the payment service’s own app or support channel. Avoid using a support number supplied by the buyer.
If someone says they paid too much, ask your bank or payment provider how to handle the transaction. Sending a separate refund can leave you out of pocket if the original payment fails.
Keep the sale and the evidence together
Save the listing, agreed price, buyer conversation and transaction reference. For a marketplace purchase, read the platform’s current protection terms and check whether they cover your item and payment method.
- Open the payment app through your normal route.
- Match the amount and reference with the agreed sale.
- Verify any hold or fee directly with the provider.
- Keep delivery or collection evidence.
What to submit for this check
Paste the buyer’s message and the payment instructions, or upload a screenshot with account details redacted. The advisor can flag requests for codes, unusual payment methods and suspicious links. It has no access to your payment balance and cannot confirm settlement.
Questions about this check
Is a payment screenshot enough to release an item?
Confirm the transaction through your own account. A screenshot can be edited or refer to a different transaction.
Can the checker inspect my Facebook Marketplace account?
No. Submit the listing or conversation you want reviewed. Account access is not required.
Further reading
FTC: Avoiding scams when selling onlineFTC: Buying from an online marketplaceUpdated September 28, 2026.
