Scammed? what to do

Report to Mercari

Last updated September 18, 2026

The short answer

Report Mercari fraud by phone or in-app, and the tell that a chat is not Mercari

Mercari gives you one detail that settles the most common impersonation instantly. Mercari never sends messages inside the app. Everything real from Mercari shows up as a Notification, so a chat from "Mercari" is someone else.

What they handle

  • Buyers or sellers moving the deal off Mercari
  • Requests for your card, PayPal or bank details directly
  • Listings and chat messages that break the rules
  • People in chat claiming to be Mercari

How to file a report

  1. 1

    Call the fraud line

    If you think you may be a victim of fraud or criminal activity, Mercari gives 888-325-2168, and also points to law enforcement.

  2. 2

    Report the listing or the chat message

    Mercari has separate help articles for reporting a listing and reporting a chat message. Use the one that matches what you saw.

  3. 3

    Keep it on Mercari

    Mercari says it cannot protect you on an offline deal. Being asked to communicate or transact outside the platform is the warning sign.

  4. 4

    Check whether it is a Notification

    All genuine Mercari communication appears as a Notification, never as an in-app chat message. That single check exposes the impersonation.

What you'll need

  • The listing URL and the other party's username
  • Screenshots of the chat
  • The order number and payment method

What to expect

Mercari Buyer Protection covers purchases made and kept on Mercari. A payment sent off the platform is outside it, and recovery is through your bank.

Go to Mercari Help: Fraud mitigation

Frequently asked questions

A buyer wants to pay by bank transfer to save fees. Should I?

No. That takes the deal outside Mercari and outside Buyer Protection, which is the point of the request. Mercari says it cannot protect an offline transaction.

Company guide

Mercari scams

Knowing which scam you were hit by makes the report better. This is how scams impersonating Mercari actually work, what the company will never ask you for, and the warning signs to recognise next time.

Read the guide →