- Who runs OfferUp and how it got here
- OfferUp has gone back to local sales
- Buying on OfferUp without getting burned
- What TruYou verification on OfferUp tells you
- Selling on OfferUp: returns and staying safe
- Common OfferUp scams to recognise
- OfferUp in a nutshell
- Is OfferUp safe to use? My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, OfferUp is a legit local buying and selling app, founded in 2011 and based in Bellevue, Washington, and it absorbed rival Letgo's US app in 2020. It's built around meeting in person: OfferUp's help pages say it doesn't process payments in the app and a sale is final once money changes hands. The catch is that your protection is mostly your own care at the meetup.
OfferUp is the US app people use to sell a sofa, a bike or a games console to someone down the road. I've read OfferUp's own help articles on buying, selling, TruYou and scams, plus Wikipedia and GeekWire for the company background, so you know what you're dealing with. It's a real company with a long history, but the way it keeps you safe isn't what many people assume.
Who runs OfferUp and how it got here
According to Wikipedia, OfferUp was founded in 2011 by Nick Huzar and Arean Van Veelen and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Todd Dunlap is the CEO; GeekWire reports he's led the company since 2021, when he took over from Huzar.
Wikipedia also records the big merger. On March 25, 2020, OfferUp announced it was buying its rival Letgo, in a deal led by Letgo's owner OLX Group, and the Letgo US app was folded into OfferUp on August 31, 2020. Back in 2021, Wikipedia says, OfferUp had 20 million monthly active users. So this is a large, established app, not a fly-by-night one.
OfferUp has gone back to local sales
This is the most important recent change. For a while, OfferUp let people ship items across the country. GeekWire reported in 2025 that Todd Dunlap told staff, in a memo, that the company was deprecating its shipping offering to provide a more focused local experience. The same report covered a fresh round of layoffs.
OfferUp's current help pages match that local focus. Its buying guidance says OfferUp doesn't process payments through the app, and buyers pay the seller in person at the meetup. If you've read older reviews that talk about shipping and in-app protection, treat them as out of date and check the app itself for what's available to you now.
If you need to send items to buyers further away, a site that's built for shipping makes more sense, and my rundown of how much eBay takes per sale is a good place to start comparing.
Buying on OfferUp without getting burned
Because payment happens face to face, OfferUp's advice for buyers is all about the meetup. Its help articles say:
- Inspect the item in person before you pay, checking for damage and making sure it works.
- Pay the seller in person at the meetup, and never send money before you've met.
- Avoid gift cards, personal checks and wire transfers.
- Meet somewhere public and well lit. OfferUp suggests vetted Community MeetUp Spots, and for expensive items a place with security cameras.
- Bring a friend or tell someone where you're going.
Then remember the rule that catches people out. OfferUp says that once payment is handed over, the sale is final. There's no refund button to fall back on, so ask every question and test everything before money changes hands.
What TruYou verification on OfferUp tells you
Some OfferUp profiles carry a blue shield. That's TruYou, OfferUp's identity check. Its help article says it's free and usually voluntary, and it asks for a verified mobile number, two photos of a valid US driver's license, state ID or passport, and a live selfie taken in the app.
The checks are run by Onfido, a third-party identity service, and OfferUp says it doesn't store your ID or selfie itself. Most applications are processed within minutes, though OfferUp says it can take up to 48 hours. The key line is this one: OfferUp says membership confirms the documents were verified, but it doesn't mean the person is trustworthy. Treat the badge as a plus, not a guarantee of a good deal.
Selling on OfferUp: returns and staying safe
OfferUp's Commitment to Sellers article says sellers set their own return policy and aren't required to accept returns, because buyers can inspect and test before paying. If you choose to offer returns to protect your ratings, OfferUp suggests stating the return window and when you're free to meet.
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For sellers, OfferUp's scams article recommends accepting only cash and steering clear of anyone who wants to pay with gift cards. It's a simple way to clear clutter or test a small resale idea. If you're thinking bigger, my guide to side hustles that fit around your business helps you decide if reselling is worth your evenings. And once you're buying to resell, talk to an accountant about how tax applies to you.
Common OfferUp scams to recognise
OfferUp publishes its own list of the tricks it sees most. These are the ones worth memorising:
- Verification code requests. Someone asks for a code to verify your listing. OfferUp says it doesn't send codes to verify listings, so this is an attempt to get into your account.
- Fake payment notifications. Messages claim you've been paid or ask you to confirm a payment or share bank details.
- Overpayment offers. A buyer offers more than you're asking and wants to pay through a cash app before meeting.
- Down payments on big items. A seller won't let you inspect something but wants a deposit first.
- Messages pretending to be OfferUp. OfferUp says it never sends payment instructions through chat.
- Prices that look too good. Brand-name goods far below retail, often with stock photos.
OfferUp also warns against links that leave the app, and notes that its own links contain offerup.com. Report anything suspicious to OfferUp, and contact local police if something illegal happens.
OfferUp in a nutshell
| Question | What OfferUp and its sources say |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011, by Nick Huzar and Arean Van Veelen (Wikipedia) |
| Based | Bellevue, Washington |
| Letgo | Its US app merged into OfferUp in 2020 |
| Payments | Not processed in the app; pay in person at the meetup |
| Returns | Up to each seller; sale is final once money changes hands |
| Identity checks | TruYou, free and usually voluntary, run with Onfido |
Is OfferUp safe to use? My verdict
OfferUp is legit, and it's a sensible way to buy and sell bulky or everyday items locally. Just don't expect a safety net after the fact. Your protection is the meetup itself: a public place, a careful inspection, cash in hand, and a firm no to codes, links and deposits. Follow OfferUp's own advice and you'll avoid nearly every horror story you've read about.
Frequently asked questions
Is OfferUp legit and safe?
Yes. OfferUp is an established app founded in 2011 and based in Bellevue, Washington. It's built for local, in-person deals, so safety depends on meeting in public, inspecting items and paying only at the meetup.
Does OfferUp still offer shipping?
GeekWire reported that OfferUp's CEO told staff the company was deprecating its shipping offering to focus on local sales, and OfferUp's help pages now say it doesn't process payments through the app.
Can I get a refund on OfferUp?
OfferUp says that once money is exchanged, the sale is final. Sellers set their own return policy and don't have to accept returns, so inspect everything before you pay.
What does the TruYou badge mean on OfferUp?
It shows the person passed OfferUp's identity check using a phone number, a photo ID and a live selfie. OfferUp says it doesn't guarantee the user is trustworthy.
Is OfferUp the same as Letgo?
Letgo's US app was merged into OfferUp on August 31, 2020, after OfferUp agreed to acquire Letgo earlier that year, according to Wikipedia.
