At HopUp, your safety is our top priority. Unfortunately, scammers sometimes target online marketplaces to trick sellers. Here’s how to recognize the most common scams and protect yourself every step of the way:
📧 Fake Payment Confirmation Emails
What it is: Scammers send emails pretending to be PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App. They claim you’ve been paid and urge you to ship the item immediately. Some even say you need to pay a fee to access your funds.
How to avoid it: Only trust payment information shown inside the app or with your payment provider if you choose not to use HopUp Payments. Never click links in suspicious emails. Log in directly from the official site or app. Real payment systems never ask you to pay to get your own money. Our best advice: Only use HopUp Payments for the most secure payments and never give out your personal contact details. Always keep your conversations within the HopUp app.
🧾 Fake e-Checks and Check Scams
What it is: Scammers offer to pay with checks, including e-checks, and say it’s okay to wait until the check clears. But the check always bounces, and you may be charged fees.
How to avoid it: Never accept any kind of check—paper or electronic—on HopUp. Use HopUp Payments (recommended) or other secure, traceable options like PayPal Goods & Services. If someone sends a check and asks you to refund part of the money or ship the item, it’s a scam.
Need help? If you’re unsure, ask HopUp Support before proceeding.
💸 Requests for Outside Payment on HopUp Payments Listings
What it is: Scammers ask to pay outside the app using PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App. They might claim the app isn’t working or they’ve had issues with payment.
How to avoid it: If a listing has the “Buy Now” button and blue “Covered with Purchase Protection” banner (meaning you listed with HopUp Payments), only accept payment through the app. If the buyer claims trouble paying, ask them to contact HopUp Support and wait for resolution. If they push back, it’s likely a scam. Confirm legit payments by going to: Profile → Selling → Sold. That is the only verified way to check for payment.
Reminder: If your listing is marked “On your own,” outside payments are acceptable. Otherwise, stick to HopUp Payments.
💰 Overpayment Scams
What it is: The buyer sends more than your asking price and asks you to send back the difference. Later, their original payment is canceled or reversed.
How to avoid it: Never accept more than the item’s price. Cancel and report suspicious activity.
📦 “Pay After You Ship” Scams
What it is: The buyer promises to pay after the item arrives, but never does.
How to avoid it: Only ship items after you see payment confirmed in your HopUp account by going to: Profile → Selling → Sold.
🔄️ Trades and Local Meetups
- HopUp does not officially support or guarantee trades. Trading is at your own risk.
- If you trade in person, meet in a safe place like an airsoft shop or public event.
- Never carry airsoft gear openly in public spaces.
✅ Why HopUp Payments Is the Safest Option
- HopUp Payments holds money safely until the tracking confirms the item arrived.
- We only create an order once the buyer pays for the order completely. Don’t see the order in your app? Then it’s not purchased. See the order? The buyer has paid in full and you’re safe to ship!
- It protects sellers from false claims—just keep photos or videos of your item before shipping.
- If a buyer modifies or uses an item, it is not eligible to be returned unless the seller states otherwise. This policy protects the seller from a buyer using/modifying an item and claiming the seller sent it broken.
⚠️ Never Accept Checks
- HopUp strongly warns: “Never accept a check from a buyer!”
- Checks always bounce. You’ll lose your item and possibly owe fees.
- If someone sends a check and asks you to send money back or wire funds—it’s a scam.
🔍 Verification & Reporting Tips
- Always verify sales through Profile → Selling → Sold.
- If someone says payment failed, ask them to contact HopUp Support and wait.
- Never accept outside payment for a HopUp Payments listing.
- Avoid non-local trades whenever possible.
📢 If You Suspect a Scam
- Report it to HopUp Support right away.
- If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to your local police. HopUp is unable to assist if your payment (or trade) was not completed with HopUp Payments.
- Learn more at the FTC’s online security page.