Mercari Scams (5 Examples + How To Avoid Them)

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Mercari is a remarkable online marketplace with 20+ million active users looking to buy or sell new or used items. There’s no denying the convenience and vast opportunities Mercari brings to the online shopping space.

The allure of finding rare items or selling off unique possessions at competitive prices makes Mercari an enticing destination for many. However, amid its thriving community and the vast array of goods, a shadow lurks – Mercari scams.

Mercari scams are always evolving, from fraudulent listings promising rare collectibles to dubious transactions that never materialize. These scams often manifest in various forms, preying on unsuspecting users eager to strike a good deal or make a profitable sale.

It is important to understand these fraudulent schemes to fully exploit the benefits that this marketplace offers.

1) Payment Fraud

Offsite transactions on Mercari might seem like a shortcut to dodge those pesky platform fees, but let’s hold up a sec before diving into that tempting offer.

For sellers, the idea of pocketing a bit more cash by avoiding the platform fees can be pretty alluring. And buyers, when someone tosses a better price your way by using a different payment method, it’s hard not to consider, right?

But here’s the catch: these requests come in all shapes and sizes. Some sellers might be straightforward, asking for a transfer outside of Mercari because their account’s acting up. Others might lure you to switch the chat to WhatsApp or another app. Sneaky, huh?

Now, we won’t say it’s impossible to stumble upon an honest soul in this mix, but truth be told, it’s a risky business. Most times, it’s either someone trying to take advantage of your trust or bots hungry for your personal info. They want it all—your email, your phone number, you name it.

Mercari has caught on to this ruse and implemented filters on its platform. These filters work to blur out anything that seems like a phone number or email address.

Yet, scammers are a crafty bunch; they adapt by altering how they present their contact information. So, don’t drop your guard just yet! Stick to using Mercari’s in-app messaging feature for all communications.

2) Fake & Counterfeit Listings

Fake listings are deceptive representations of seemingly genuine and new items, masking their true nature as low-quality replicas or counterfeit products.

They often target popular categories on Mercari, such as clothing, handbags, and shoes, enticing buyers with the allure of premium quality at remarkably low prices.

These deceptive listings may showcase items resembling renowned brands or high-end products but deliver inferior quality goods that fall short of buyers’ expectations.

Items advertised as designer labels may turn out to be cheap imitations, a far cry from the promised authenticity.

Another common insidious form of this Mercari scam is the phantom listings. These are non-existent items that are listed solely to deceive buyers, leaving you empty-handed once the transaction is complete.

Navigating Mercari’s marketplace demands a discerning eye. You must exercise caution, looking beyond enticing offers that appear too good to be true.

Diligent scrutiny of product details, requesting additional images, and conducting thorough research are all important in distinguishing genuine listings from deceptive ones.

3) Phishing

Imagine you’re happily scrolling through Mercari, checking out those awesome deals. Suddenly, you receive an email or message that seems to be from Mercari, claiming there’s an urgent issue with your account.

It looks official, with Mercari logos and all, asking you to click a link or provide your login details to fix the problem.

Hold on a moment! That email or message might not be what it seems. It’s what we call phishing—tricky tactics fraudsters use to trick you into handing over your account details or personal information.

They make these messages look like they’re from Mercari, but in reality, they’re trying to sneak into your account.

If you fall into their trap and click that link or give away your login info, they’re in. And once they’re in, they can wreak havoc.

They might mess with your listings, change prices, or worse, they could steal sensitive info like your address, phone number, or even your payment details.

And that’s not the end of it. These hackers might start doing shady stuff with your account, like making purchases or selling things without your knowledge. Imagine waking up to a bunch of strange orders you didn’t make—that’s the nightmare of account hacking.

To avoid falling into their web, remember this: Mercari won’t ask for your sensitive info through unsolicited emails or messages. They won’t request your login details out of the blue.

So, if you ever receive a suspicious email or message asking for personal info, take a step back. Don’t click on any links, and definitely don’t give away your details.

4) False Returns

Have you ever played a game where the rules keep changing? This is exactly how the false returns scam on Mercari works.

Buyers sometimes claim an item they received is flawed. They go ahead and use Mercari’s buyer protection policy to cunningly secure a refund, but they never ship back the defective order. This leaves the seller high and dry, having lost both money and the product.

But hold on tight because sellers can play this game, too. Imagine this scenario: a seller eyes your top-tier item, but they’ve got a similar one that’s seen better days.

They scheme to buy your gem, swap it out with their worn-out version, and return it for a refund. Sneaky, right? Meanwhile, they’re pocketing profits by selling your primo item for a higher price.

To protect yourself, you must play smart. For sellers, it’s all about documentation—capture your item’s condition before shipping and keep a paper trail.

And buyers, a keen eye during inspection and open communication with sellers can be your shield.

5) Overpayment Scams

Imagine you’re a seller on an online platform like Mercari. You’ve listed an item for sale and soon receive a payment that exceeds the agreed-upon price.

The buyer quickly reaches out, claiming they made an error and sent too much money. They ask you to refund the excess amount, seemingly eager to rectify the mistake.

Wanting to maintain goodwill and resolve the situation, you agree to refund the extra funds. However, the situation takes a turn for the worse.

After you’ve sent back the surplus money, you realize the initial payment you received was fraudulent or unauthorized. In essence, you’ve refunded your own legitimate funds to the scammer.

This deceptive tactic leaves you in a precarious position. Not only have you lost the item you intended to sell, but you’re also out of pocket for the entire transaction amount.

The overpayment scam preys on your trust and willingness to resolve what seemed like an honest mistake, leading to significant financial loss and disappointment.

This is a stark reminder of the importance of staying cautious and vigilant in online transactions, always verifying payments, and avoiding hastily issuing refunds without proper validation to protect yourself from falling victim to such deceitful schemes.

How To Identify Mercari Scams

Be wary of listings offering high-value items at incredibly low prices; they might be scams aiming to lure buyers with unrealistically good deals.

Watch out for blurry or unclear images in listings. Legitimate sellers usually provide clear and detailed photos of their products. Listings lacking crucial details like size, quality, or brand logos should raise suspicions. Scammers often provide minimal information to avoid scrutiny.

Approach sellers cautiously if they pressure you for quick decisions or immediate payments. Legitimate sellers allow buyers time to make informed choices.

Be cautious if a seller insists on communicating or completing transactions outside Mercari’s platform. This practice is often used in scams and should raise red flags.

7 Tips For Buyers To Avoid Mercari Scams

Here are seven practical tips for buyers to steer clear of Mercari scams:

Review seller ratings – Pay attention to seller reviews as they can serve as a guide in online shopping. If most reviews are positive, you’re likely heading in the right direction.

However, if you notice recurring negative feedback, it could indicate an unreliable seller. While a few negative reviews might not be alarming, a consistent pattern of dissatisfaction among customers is a definite warning sign.


Watch for cancelled transactions – Be cautious of sellers who frequently cancel transactions. This behavior might suggest that they list items they don’t intend to sell, signaling potential problems. It’s wise to look elsewhere for your purchases if you notice a seller with a habit of cancellations.


Rely on Mercari’s badges – Mercari’s badge system distinguishes reputable sellers from riskier ones. For instance, a ‘Reliable’ badge signifies a seller who seldom cancels transactions. Let these badges guide you toward trustworthy vendors.


Adhere to Mercari’s rules – Sellers who disregard Mercari’s rules can be problematic. If they’re listing prohibited items, they may not be the most trustworthy sellers to engage with.


Demand transparency – Complete transparency is vital in online purchases. If the seller is vague about product details or provides unclear photos, don’t hesitate to ask for more information or clearer pictures.


Avoid ambiguity – Beware of unclear details or skewed information in listings. If something doesn’t seem right or you’re not getting clear answers, trust your instincts and consider moving on to another listing.


Use secure payment methods – Always utilize Mercari’s secure payment methods.

While other platforms might offer additional protections through services like PayPal, on Mercari, it’s best to stick with the in-app payment system. This ensures your transactions are safeguarded by Mercari’s robust buyer protection policy.


Though scammers exist on almost all ecommerce platforms, Mercari actively works to minimize their presence. The platform provides various measures to curb scams, but it’s still important to remain vigilant.

When using Mercari, prioritize your safety by engaging only with highly rated sellers and using secure payment methods that offer buyer protection. Don’t buy products that are overly cheap or ambiguously described.

By understanding the risks and implementing these basic precautions, you can navigate Mercari confidently, steering clear of potential scams.

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