Online marketplaces like eBay have made it easier than ever for people to buy and sell goods with just a few clicks. However, as with any online transaction, it’s important to be aware of the risks of fraud and scams. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some common eBay scams and what you can do to protect yourself from them. Here are some common eBay scams to watch out for:
Item not received scam
A seller lists an item for sale, but when the buyer pays for it, the seller never sends it. To avoid this scam, only buy from sellers with a good track record and positive feedback. You can also use PayPal to pay for your purchases, as PayPal offers buyer protection for items that are not received.
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Item not as described scam
The seller sends an item that is not as described in the listing. For example, the seller may claim that the item is new, but it is actually used or defective. To avoid this scam, be sure to read the item description carefully and ask the seller any questions you have before making a purchase. You can also request additional photos or details about the item to ensure that it meets your expectations.
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Phishing scam
A scammer poses as an eBay employee and sends you an email or message claiming that there is a problem with your account. They may ask for your login information or credit card number in order to “fix” the issue. Do not respond to these types of messages and never give out your personal information. Instead, report the message to eBay and change your password to ensure that your account is secure.
Fake escrow scam
The scammer claims to be using an escrow service to hold the payment until the item is delivered, but the escrow service is fake. To protect yourself from this scam, only use eBay’s approved escrow services and never send payment outside of eBay’s secure payment system.
Too good to be true scam
If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of sellers who have little or no feedback, as they may not be trustworthy. Additionally, be cautious of sellers who are located in countries with a high rate of fraud and scams.
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If you have been scammed by a buyer on eBay, there are a few steps you can take to try and resolve the issue:
Contact the buyer
It’s possible that the issue was a misunderstanding or mistake. Try reaching out to the buyer to see if the issue can be resolved peacefully.
Report the issue to eBay
eBay has a system in place to protect sellers from scams and will work with you to try and resolve the issue. Make sure to report the issue as soon as possible and provide as much information as you can, including any messages or communication with the buyer.
File a complaint with PayPal (if applicable)
If you used PayPal to process the payment, you can file a complaint with them to try and get your money back. Make sure to provide as much information as possible to support your claim.
Consider taking legal action
If all other efforts have failed and you have suffered significant losses due to the scam, you may want to consider taking legal action. Consult with a lawyer or your local small claims court to see if this is a viable option.
It’s important to remember that while these steps can help, there is no guarantee that you will be able to recover your losses. Be sure to do your due diligence and protect yourself by only selling to buyers with a good track record and using a payment method that offers seller protection, such as PayPal.
Second chance offer scam
This scam on eBay involves a fake seller contacting a buyer after they have lost an auction for an item. The fake seller claims to be the actual seller and offers to sell the item to the buyer for a higher price. The buyer, thinking they have another chance to get the item they wanted, agrees to the higher price and sends the payment to the fake seller. However, the fake seller then disappears with the money and the buyer never receives the item.
To protect yourself from this type of scam, be sure to only communicate with the seller through eBay’s messaging system and never send payment outside of eBay’s secure payment system. If you receive an offer from a seller after losing an auction, be wary and do your due diligence before agreeing to anything. Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
eBay Scam Blacklist
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FAQ
Common eBay scams include “item not received” scams, where the seller lists an item for sale but never sends it; “item not as described” scams, where the seller sends an item that is not as described in the listing; phishing scams, where a scammer poses as an eBay employee and asks for your personal information; fake escrow scams, where the scammer claims to be using an escrow service to hold the payment but the escrow service is fake; and “too good to be true” scams, where the seller offers an item at an unusually low price or with unrealistic shipping terms.
To protect yourself from eBay scams, make sure to only buy from sellers with a good track record and positive feedback. Use a payment method that offers buyer protection, such as PayPal. Read the item description carefully and ask the seller any questions you have before making a purchase. Be wary of sellers who have little or no feedback or are located in countries with a high rate of fraud and scams. Never send payment outside of eBay’s secure payment system and never give out your personal information.
If you suspect that an eBay seller is trying to scam you, do not send any payment or personal information. Instead, report the seller to eBay and consider canceling the transaction. If you have already sent payment, report the issue to eBay and your payment provider (such as PayPal) as soon as possible.
If you have been scammed on eBay, report the issue to the company as soon as possible. eBay has a system in place to protect buyers from scams and will work with you to try and resolve the issue. If you used a payment method that offers buyer protection, such as PayPal, file a claim with them to try and get your money back. Consider taking legal action if all other efforts have failed and you have suffered significant losses due to the scam.
It is possible to get your money back if you have been scammed on eBay, but it is not guaranteed. If you used a payment method that offers buyer protection, such as PayPal, you may be able to file a claim and get your money back. eBay may also be able to help resolve the issue and provide a refund. However, if the seller has disappeared or the issue cannot be resolved, you may not be able to get your money back.
eBay’s feedback system can be a useful tool for determining a seller’s reputation, but it is not foolproof. Some buyers may leave negative feedback due to misunderstandings or personal issues, while some sellers may try to manipulate the feedback system by leaving fake positive feedback for themselves or fake negative feedback for their competitors. It’s important to use the feedback system as just one factor in determining a seller’s trustworthiness and to also do your own due diligence before making a purchase.
eBay will never ask for your personal information, such as your login credentials or credit card number, through email or private message. If you receive an email or message from someone claiming to be an eBay employee and asking for your personal information, do not respond and do not give out any information. Instead, report the message to eBay and change your password to ensure that your account is secure.
Attention: Consumers who have been contacted by scammers could have had their personal information breached. TotalScam!™ highly recommends that consumers whose information has been breached obtain an identity theft protection service immediately.
There are several companies that offer identity theft protection in the US. One of the most inexpensive options we were able to find is the protection offered by LifeLock. You can start your protection here.
Disclaimer: The information and opinions contained on this site are not endorsed by LifeLock. TotalScam!™ receives compensation from LifeLock. This helps support our scam prevention efforts.
Our investigations into Common Scams of 2024
