$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Craigslist electronics too-good-to-be-true price scam
Listings for popular electronics like iPhones, gaming consoles, or laptops at far below retail price turn out to be stolen goods, counterfeits, or nonexistent items.
“online shopping scam”
↑ 184%Key indicators
Usually targetsBargain hunters
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$80
median reported loss
Typical range$16 – $800
Recovery rate~40%
Annual reports370,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers post Craigslist listings for in-demand electronics at irresistible prices to generate quick responses.
2
For remote transactions, they collect payment and never ship anything. For in-person deals, buyers may receive a box filled with something worthless or a convincing counterfeit.
3
Some listings are fronts for selling stolen merchandise, which can result in legal problems for the buyer.
What to do first
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is — research fair market prices before buying.
Related terms
Craigslist cheap electronics scamfake electronics listingOnline shopping scamsCraigslistSurgingBargain huntersYoung adultsAdultsSmall business ownersReal estate professionals and homebuyersEducators and studentsUnited StatesCanadaCraigslist cheap electronics scamfake electronics listing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Emily, 35, a bargain hunters, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate online shopping scams situation while using Craigslist. Scammers post Craigslist listings for in-demand electronics at irresistible prices to generate quick responses.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: For remote transactions, they collect payment and never ship anything. For in-person deals, buyers may receive a box filled with something worthless or a convincing counterfeit.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Some listings are fronts for selling stolen merchandise, which can result in legal problems for the buyer.
The outcome
Emily realized something was wrong when price is 50 percent or more below retail for a new or nearly new item. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is — research fair market prices before buying. Emily's experience shows why price is 50 percent or more below retail for a new or nearly new item and seller insists on shipping rather than local pickup for a local listing are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Price is 50 percent or more below retail for a new or nearly new item
- Seller insists on shipping rather than local pickup for a local listing
- Listing uses stock photos instead of actual photos of the item
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is — research fair market prices before buying.
- ✓Meet in person at a police station or other safe public location, inspect and test the item before paying.
- ✓Use cash for Craigslist transactions and never wire money or send gift cards.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Preserve the listing ID, reservation ID, or the exact item URL because platform support will usually ask for it.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing is one of the top red flags identified by the FTC for online shopping scams.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is — research fair market prices before buying.
- ✓Meet in person at a police station or other safe public location, inspect and test the item before paying.
- ✓Use cash for Craigslist transactions and never wire money or send gift cards.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
Too-good-to-be-true pricing is one of the top red flags identified by the FTC for online shopping scams.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Bargain hunters, Young adults, Adults
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada
Primary channel
Craigslist — Online shopping scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Bargain hunters are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing is one of the top red flags identified by the FTC for online shopping scams.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about craigslist electronics too-good-to-be-true price scam
How does the craigslist electronics too-good-to-be-true price scam work?+
Scammers post Craigslist listings for in-demand electronics at irresistible prices to generate quick responses. For remote transactions, they collect payment and never ship anything. For in-person deals, buyers may receive a box filled with something worthless or a convincing counterfeit. Some listings are fronts for selling stolen merchandise, which can result in legal problems for the buyer.
What are the warning signs of craigslist electronics too-good-to-be-true price scam?+
Price is 50 percent or more below retail for a new or nearly new item Seller insists on shipping rather than local pickup for a local listing Listing uses stock photos instead of actual photos of the item
What should I do if I encounter craigslist electronics too-good-to-be-true price scam?+
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is — research fair market prices before buying. Meet in person at a police station or other safe public location, inspect and test the item before paying. Use cash for Craigslist transactions and never wire money or send gift cards.
Who is most at risk for craigslist electronics too-good-to-be-true price scam?+
This scam primarily targets Bargain hunters, Young adults, Adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on Craigslist.
Is craigslist electronics too-good-to-be-true price scam getting worse?+
Craigslist electronics too-good-to-be-true price scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.