Medium riskMarketplace

Item Not Received Chargeback Scam

In this scam, a buyer receives an item but falsely claims it never arrived or was empty, then files a dispute or chargeback to get their money back while keeping the goods.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
False dispute / chargeback (seller-targeted)
Main red flag
A buyer claims a delivered item never arrived and immediately opens a dispute for a refund.
What to do first
Keep tracking and delivery proof, and respond to the dispute with that evidence.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, a buyer receives an item but falsely claims it never arrived or was empty, then files a dispute or chargeback to get their money back while keeping the goods.

Marketplace scams target both buyers and sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and classified listings. Fraudsters fake payments, send bogus "buyer protection" emails, push deals off-platform, or use overpayment tricks to make you ship goods or send money for nothing.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A buyer claims a delivered item never arrived and immediately opens a dispute for a refund. Keep tracking and delivery proof, and respond to the dispute with that evidence.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Overpayment Scam or the Facebook Marketplace Buyer Email Scam, browse the Marketplace Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Top category
online shopping is consistently among the most-reported fraud types to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'I never got the package, the tracking is wrong. I've opened a dispute and want a full refund or I'll report you.'

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.

Why this is a red flag: A buyer claims a delivered item never arrived and immediately opens a dispute for a refund.

Red flags to watch for

  • A 'not received' claim despite tracking showing delivery
  • A buyer who refuses to wait or check with neighbours and couriers
  • Immediate threats to open a dispute or chargeback
  • Requests to refund off-platform rather than through proper channels
  • A pattern of similar complaints on the buyer's account

What to do

  • Always ship with tracking and, for higher-value items, signature on delivery
  • Keep proof of postage, tracking numbers, and delivery confirmation
  • Respond to any dispute through the platform with your evidence
  • Communicate only through the platform so there is a record

If you already clicked or replied

  • Provide tracking and delivery proof to the platform or payment provider promptly
  • Do not issue a separate off-platform refund on top of a dispute
  • Report a buyer who is clearly abusing the system
  • Adjust future sales to use signed-for delivery for valuable items

What not to do

  • Do not ship valuable items without tracking
  • Do not refund off-platform while a formal dispute is open
  • Do not give in to threats without checking the delivery evidence

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.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
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.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Marketplace

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.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

How do I protect myself as a seller?
Use tracked and, for valuable items, signed-for delivery, keep all proof of postage, and handle payments and disputes through the platform so there is a clear record.
The buyer threatens to report me. What should I do?
Stay calm and respond through the platform with your tracking and delivery evidence. Decisions are based on records, not threats.
Can I tell a genuine non-delivery from a scam?
Not always at first. Treat each case fairly, check tracking, and suggest the buyer contacts the courier; clear evidence usually resolves it.
Should I refund straight away to avoid hassle?
Not while a formal dispute is open, and never both refund directly and lose the dispute. Let the platform's process handle it with your evidence.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

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.