eBay connects millions of buyers and sellers around the world through its online marketplace platform.
Sadly, where money changes hands, scammers often follow. eBay does what it can to monitor troublesome activity, but you need to know the most prevalent eBay scams that target shoppers and sellers alike.
eBay scams involve deceptive strategies used by scammers to acquire items without payment or obtain money without delivering purchased items.
A great example are listings with vague or generic descriptions, stock photos, or low-quality images.
The prudent thing to always do is conduct all transactions within eBay’s platform. On top of that, always be careful of unusually low prices, especially for high-demand items.
1) Phishing Scams
Phishing scams involve attempts by scammers to obtain sensitive information from users by posing as a trustworthy entity.
In the context of eBay, users may receive fake emails purportedly from eBay itself, asking them to update their account information or verify their identity.
These emails often contain links that, when clicked, lead to fraudulent websites designed to capture login credentials. To protect yourself, never click on links in unsolicited emails.
Instead, go directly to the eBay website by typing the URL into your browser and check your messages there. Authentic eBay messages can be accessed through your eBay account.
2) Non-Delivery Scams
Non-delivery scams occur when a seller fails to send the purchased item after receiving payment. It’s essential for buyers to carefully review a seller’s feedback and ratings before making a purchase.
If a seller has a history of not delivering items or has numerous negative reviews, it’s a red flag.
Additionally, use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as PayPal. In case of non-delivery, you can open a dispute and potentially get a refund through these payment platforms.
Always keep communication within eBay’s messaging system to maintain a documented record of conversations in case issues arise.
3) Misleading Item Descriptions
Scammers may provide inaccurate or misleading information about the items they are selling.
Buyers should thoroughly read the item description, examine accompanying photos, and ask the seller any necessary questions to ensure clarity. Some scammers use deceptive language or intentionally omit important details to mislead buyers.
If something seems too good to be true or if the seller avoids specific questions, it’s crucial to exercise caution.
Additionally, buyers can benefit from purchasing items from sellers with a transparent history of providing accurate product descriptions and maintaining positive feedback from previous transactions. This diligence can help avoid disappointments and disputes over misrepresented items.
4) Shill Bidding
Shill bidding is a deceptive practice where sellers artificially inflate the bidding activity on their items by using fake accounts or accomplices to place bids.
This creates a false sense of demand and can result in buyers paying more than an item is worth. To avoid falling victim to shill bidding, buyers should closely monitor bidding patterns.
If bidding appears unusually aggressive or if a sudden surge in bids occurs, it’s advisable to scrutinize the legitimacy of the auction.
Legitimate sellers typically rely on fair competition, and suspicious bidding activities should prompt buyers to exercise caution and consider reporting their concerns to eBay for investigation.
5) Counterfeit Items
Counterfeit or fake items are a prevalent concern on online marketplaces, including eBay. Scammers may list products that appear authentic but are, in fact, cheap imitations.
To mitigate the risk of purchasing counterfeit items, buyers should conduct thorough research on the product they intend to buy. This includes familiarizing themselves with the genuine product’s characteristics, packaging, and any unique identifiers.
In addition, buyers should prioritize purchasing from reputable sellers with a track record of selling authentic items. Checking seller feedback and reviews can provide valuable insights into a seller’s credibility and whether other buyers have encountered issues with counterfeit merchandise.
Vigilance and skepticism can go a long way in avoiding the disappointment and financial loss associated with counterfeit purchases on eBay.
6) Wire Transfer Scams
Scammers may attempt to defraud eBay users by requesting payment through unconventional and less secure methods such as wire transfers or money orders.
Legitimate eBay transactions typically use secure and traceable payment methods, such as PayPal or credit cards.
Buyers and sellers should exercise caution if asked to use alternative payment methods and report such requests to eBay immediately. Wire transfers are particularly risky, as they lack the buyer protection offered by platforms like PayPal.
eBay recommends adhering to its approved payment methods to ensure a secure and protected transaction environment. Users should be wary of any seller insisting on non-standard payment methods and thoroughly research the legitimacy of the transaction before proceeding.
7) Invoice Scams
Invoice scams involve scammers sending fake invoices to eBay users, tricking them into making payments for non-existent purchases. These invoices often appear authentic, complete with eBay logos and branding, creating a false sense of urgency.
Users should exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of any payment requests by checking their eBay account directly rather than relying solely on external communications.
Authentic eBay invoices can be accessed and reviewed through the user’s account dashboard.
If in doubt, users can contact eBay customer support to confirm the validity of the transaction and avoid falling victim to fraudulent invoice scams.
8) Second Chance Offer Scams
Second Chance Offer scams occur when scammers target unsuccessful bidders with fake offers, claiming to provide another opportunity to purchase an item. To avoid falling victim to this scam, users should verify the legitimacy of second chance offers directly through eBay’s messaging system.
Genuine second chance offers will be accessible within the user’s eBay account, and users should be cautious of any offers received through external channels.
Scammers often exploit the excitement and urgency of auction scenarios, hoping that buyers will hastily accept offers without proper verification.
By exercising diligence and confirming second chance offers through eBay’s official communication channels, users can protect themselves from potential fraud and ensure a secure and legitimate transaction experience.
9) Stolen Accounts
Stolen accounts present a significant threat on eBay, as scammers gain unauthorized access to legitimate seller accounts and misuse them to list fake or non-existent items.
Buyers should exercise caution when dealing with sellers exhibiting suspicious behavior, such as limited or negative feedback, and thoroughly review a seller’s transaction history before making a purchase.
Sellers with a consistent and positive track record are generally more reliable. If a user suspects a seller account has been compromised, they should report the issue to eBay immediately. eBay has security measures in place to address account theft and take appropriate actions against the perpetrators.
10) Overpayment Scams
Overpayment scams involve scammers sending fake checks or money orders to sellers, claiming to have overpaid for an item. In this scenario, scammers typically request a refund for the alleged overpayment before the seller realizes that the initial payment was fraudulent.
Sellers should exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of payments received, especially if they seem unusually high. Avoid refunding any money until the payment method has been confirmed as legitimate.
Using secure and traceable payment methods recommended by eBay, such as PayPal or credit cards, adds an extra layer of protection against overpayment scams.
11) Empty Box Scams
Empty box scams involve a seller sending an item, typically an expensive one, in a package that appears undisturbed but contains little or nothing. The buyer receives a seemingly intact package but discovers that the actual item is missing or replaced with a less valuable or unrelated item.
To protect against empty box scams, buyers should thoroughly inspect packages upon receipt, document the unboxing process with photos or videos, and report any discrepancies immediately to eBay’s resolution center.
Sellers can enhance trust by providing clear item descriptions and maintaining open communication throughout the transaction.
12) “Photo Only” Scams
“Photo only” scams occur when a seller lists an item but, instead of physically shipping it, provides only pictures or descriptions without any intention of delivering the actual product.
Unsuspecting buyers may assume they are purchasing a physical item, only to receive digital images or nothing at all.
If a seller is unwilling to provide tracking information or attempts to complete the transaction solely through messaging, it’s advisable to avoid such deals. eBay encourages users to report suspicious listings promptly, contributing to a safer marketplace for all users.
13) eBay Motors Scams
eBay Motors, a platform within eBay dedicated to buying and selling vehicles, parts, and accessories, is unfortunately susceptible to various scams.
One common eBay Motors scam involves fraudulent vehicle listings, where scammers create enticing offers for cars, motorcycles, or other vehicles that don’t actually exist.
The scammer may use stolen photos and vehicle descriptions to attract potential buyers. To avoid falling victim to eBay Motors scams:
14) Tracking Number Scams
Tracking number scams involve sellers providing a fake or incorrect tracking number, leading to the item being shipped to an address different from the buyer’s.
In this scam, the seller may initially provide a valid tracking number, giving the appearance that the item is in transit.
However, the tracking information may not update, or it may show delivery to a location unrelated to the buyer’s address.
In case of suspicion or non-receipt of the item, buyers can open a dispute through eBay’s resolution center. eBay typically sides with buyers when there is evidence of fraudulent tracking or delivery to an address other than the one provided during the transaction.
How to Spot an eBay Scam
Here are some tips to help you identify potential eBay scams:
- Too good to be true prices – If the price of an item seems significantly lower than market value or too good to be true, it’s a red flag. Scammers often use attractive prices to lure unsuspecting buyers.
- Check seller feedback – Review the seller’s feedback and ratings. Be cautious if the seller has a low rating or a history of negative reviews. A high number of recent positive reviews is a good sign, but check for any recent negative feedback.
- Communication outside eBay – Scammers often try to move transactions outside of eBay’s platform to avoid detection. If a seller insists on communicating via email or asks you to complete the transaction off-site, be suspicious.
- Unusual payment methods – Scammers may request payment through unconventional methods, such as wire transfers or gift cards. Stick to secure payment options like PayPal or credit cards that offer buyer protection.
- Check item descriptions and photos – Be wary of listings with vague or generic descriptions, stock photos, or low-quality images. Legitimate sellers typically provide detailed information and actual photos of the item.
Note that eBay has buyer protection measures in place, and if you do encounter a scam, report it to eBay’s customer support immediately. They can investigate the matter and take appropriate action to protect users from fraudulent activities.
Even with proactive measures from eBay, users should remain alert to fraud attempts from bad actors. Following the recommendations outlined here will help you recognize shady behaviors, enact transaction safeguards, and sidestep the most prevalent ploys.
No marketplace can ever fully inoculate against exploits. So continue reporting fraudulent activity when spotted so eBay can suspend troublesome users. Promoting community vigilance creates deterrence.
If a scam does succeed against you despite best practices, contact authorities and notify eBay as soon as possible to freeze funds movement and accounts.
