Medium riskMarketplace Scams

Fake Shipping Label Scam

This scam targets sellers when a 'buyer' sends a prepaid shipping label or claims to have overpaid for shipping and asks for the difference back, or sends a fake label so the parcel is redirected. The underlying payment is usually fake or later reversed.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Seller shipping scam
Main red flag
A buyer sends their own prepaid label or overpays and asks you to refund the shipping difference.
What to do first
Use your own shipping account and label, and never refund a payment before it has fully cleared.

What this scam usually looks like

This scam targets sellers when a 'buyer' sends a prepaid shipping label or claims to have overpaid for shipping and asks for the difference back, or sends a fake label so the parcel is redirected. The underlying payment is usually fake or later reversed.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'My courier gives me a discount, so I have emailed you a prepaid label, just print it and post it today. I also overpaid the shipping by $80, so please send that part back to me separately.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Red flags to watch for

  • A buyer insists on sending their own prepaid shipping label
  • An 'overpayment' followed by a request to refund the difference
  • Pressure to post the item quickly before the payment has cleared
  • A label that lists an unfamiliar address or different name than the buyer
  • A request to send the shipping refund through a separate method

What to do

  • Use your own courier account and create your own label so you control the destination
  • Wait until the full payment has genuinely cleared before posting anything
  • Refuse to refund any 'overpayment'; ask the buyer to send the correct amount instead
  • Keep the sale and payment inside the marketplace's official system

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you posted using their label, contact the courier to check or stop the shipment if possible
  • If you refunded an overpayment, contact your bank or payment provider right away
  • Report the buyer and transaction to the marketplace and keep all messages as evidence
  • Watch your account for the original payment being reversed or charged back

What not to do

  • Do not post an item using a label the buyer supplied
  • Do not refund any amount before the original payment has fully cleared
  • Do not move the deal off the marketplace to arrange 'special' shipping

Similar scams

High risk Bank & Payment

Overpayment Scam

A buyer, employer, or 'client' sends you a payment or cheque for more than they owe, then asks you to send the extra back. The original payment is fake or is later reversed, leaving you out of pocket for the refund you sent.
High risk Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace Buyer Email Scam

A fake buyer claims to have paid through an email service and asks you to confirm a fee or send the 'difference' before any real money arrives.
High risk Job

Reshipping Job Scam

This scam advertises a work-from-home 'package processing' or 'quality control' role where you receive parcels and reship them abroad, but the goods were bought with stolen cards, making you an unwitting money mule with real legal risk.

Frequently asked questions

Why is a buyer sending their own shipping label a problem?
A buyer-supplied label lets them control the delivery address, which can redirect your item somewhere you cannot trace. Using your own label keeps you in control of where the parcel goes.
The buyer overpaid by mistake. Should I refund the extra?
Be cautious. Overpayment followed by a refund request is a common scam, and the original payment can later be reversed, leaving you out of pocket. Ask the buyer to send the correct amount instead.
How can a payment look successful and still be fake?
Scammers use forged confirmation emails or payments that can be reversed or charged back later. Always confirm funds have cleared in your own account before posting an item.
How do I report this scam?
Report the buyer through the marketplace, contact your payment provider if money moved, and notify your national anti-fraud centre with copies of the messages and any labels.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.