The Most Common P2P Frauds on OfferUp for the Xbox Series X2 Elite to Avoid in 2026

Navigating Common Frauds on OfferUp for Xbox Series X2 Elite Purchases

The Xbox Series X2 Elite is a high-demand item, making it a prime target for scammers on platforms like OfferUp. Understanding common fraudulent schemes is crucial for a safe trading experience. This guide outlines prevalent scams in 2026 and offers advice on how to avoid them.

Scams to Watch Out For

• ✓ Google Voice Verification Code Scam: Scammers may request a verification code sent to your phone, claiming it's for account verification. This code is often used to set up a Google Voice number in your name, which they then use to scam others. OfferUp does not require such codes for verification [1, 3, 5, 11, 18].
• ✓ Fake Payment App Screenshot: Scammers might send a fabricated screenshot of a payment confirmation, pressuring you to ship the item before verifying the funds yourself. Always confirm payment directly within the app or your secure payment service [1].
• ✓ Shipping Label Outside App: When a seller insists on arranging shipping outside of OfferUp, it's a significant red flag. This is often done to bypass OfferUp's purchase protection and can lead to non-delivery or receiving an empty box [1, 7, 10].
• ✓ The 'Text Me' Phone Number Phish: Scammers often push for communication outside the app (texting or email) to avoid OfferUp's oversight and to potentially phish for personal information or direct you to malicious links [1, 21].
• ✓ Empty Box Shipping Fraud: This scam involves shipping an empty box or one filled with worthless items instead of the actual product. OfferUp's purchase protection may cover this if reported promptly, but it's best to avoid such scenarios by staying within the app for shipping [7, 10, 19].
• ✓ Non-Existent Item Deposit: A seller might list a high-value item like the Xbox Series X2 Elite and request a deposit to secure it, only to disappear afterward. Never pay a deposit for an item you haven't seen or verified in person [4, 7, 12].
• ✓ Robbery at Unsafe Meetup: Meeting strangers for high-value items like gaming consoles carries inherent risks. Scammers may arrange meetups in secluded or unsafe locations, leading to robbery or assault. Always choose well-lit, public places, ideally police station parking lots [17, 25, 26].

How Safe Trade Services Can Help

For high-value items like the Xbox Series X2 Elite, which often exceed $500, we strongly recommend utilizing Safe Trade Services' Premium Plan for identity verification. This adds an extra layer of security by verifying the identities of both buyer and seller, mitigating the risk of dealing with fraudulent accounts.

For lower-value transactions or if you prefer a more streamlined verification, the Basic Plan from Safe Trade Services offers a good alternative, providing essential identity checks to enhance your peace of mind.