Being asked to contact the seller before making a bid or purchasing steeply discounted items that are actually counterfeits are some ways scammers target buyers. Do not trust any email telling you that you have been paid. So a seller tries his hardest to scam me out of my money but ends up getting screwed in the end. I payed for the item, and the seller said he had posted the item and it should arrive within 2-6 days. eBay will not assist with a transaction that occurred beyond its purview. You will never receive an item and eBay cannot help you. ", "Scams and red flag tips are very helpful.". Once you do the seller will have 3 business days to reply. It gave me a few ideas on how to help him prove that he was being scammed so he wouldn't have to lose his item and pay a fine he couldn't afford. Got SCAMMED on eBay, and eBay is unresponsive and has given me the complete run around Nov 18, 2020 3:49:58 PM. They know all about this scam but refuse to even put a notice about it in the policies like they did for the Craigslist fake "eBay" ad for car sales! Similarly, you shouldn't buy pets or consumables from eBay--there's too much potential for risk. Here are some common indicators of PayPal Seller Protection also has mechanisms to protect against spurious chargebacks, so don’t hesitate to challenge one if you think it’s incorrect. Log into your PayPal account and look at your transaction history. Webmaster Leave a Comment on Avoid getting scammed on eBay For many people, ebay is a great way to make money by selling old, preloved and unwanted goods – or an easy way to pick up a bargain. i have been scammed on ebay by someone who sells bootleg DVD copies. For many of us, eBay can be a nice place to resell items we may buy at a discount to earn miles and points. If you are an avid user of eBay, most of your experiences have probably been great! Please flag the ad on CL. To avoid getting scammed on eBay, check out a user's reviews and avoid doing business with someone if their reviews are negative. This is a SKIT! There is little you can do to protect yourself if the item isn’t covered by the money back guarantee, so investigate the seller profile in detail first, and act cautiously if the item is very expensive and outside the protection of the policy. When they are selling a puppy and ask for Western Union, is that how they want to be paid? But while most users have a safe and successful experience with the online marketplace, it is rife with scams – so you need to be on your guard. Learn the top 5 signs someone is lying to you. Be cautious when purchasing items from the following list: This scam is clever because the deceit occurs offline after the eBay transaction is complete. Bought the item which was to be delivered Aug 23. The security of knowing you won't get scammed is worth the extra money mandated by going through a legitimate business. Common telemarketing scams and how to spot them, 20+ Online hate crime statistics and facts, Security architect career guide: How to become a security architect, Best on-campus cyber security degree programs (Bachelor’s), IDShield Review (2018): Surprisingly low cost identity theft protection, + More blog posts on Information Security, More reviews from Identity Theft Protection. I saw the article, and it helped me, thank you! By using our site, you agree to our. Scammed and seller won't refund - no recourse in eBay. Questions that I have were, "It was very helpful! As completed feedback can’t be disputed, it places some people in a position where they feel they must comply or risk the integrity of their account. And after a while i see this 1080ti for like 500 bucks, so im like yeah let's do this. Is it mandatory to buy insurance for auto shipping on eBay? So I clicked on it, kept scrolling, started seeing campers, boats, stuff like that. I just noticed on Ebay that there is another bid going on that's new with the EXACT SAME PHOTO as the item I purchased earlier this morning. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. You can avoid most basic scams by simply requesting more information about the item and the terms of the item's sale. It was a 1,000 piece puzzle. However, after the transaction, he somehow closed his account and I was no longer able to contact him. This may dissuade some genuine buyers, but it will also keep scammers away. As you look through Kelly Blue Book, Craigslist, or eBay, you hope for a great deal on a reliable car. A buyer will offer to purchase your item and send a larger payment than required. Give yourself every chance of protection by showing eBay you’ve acted in good faith. This precaution is mostly contextual, so be sure to ask questions. The scammer only needs to say they suspect something was wrong and most institutions will chargeback straightaway, regardless of whether they already have the item or what condition it’s in. To report a fake email, forward it as an attachment to spoof@ebay.com. No, this is a scam, do not give them any information! It might come as a surprise, but many eBay scams are not targeted at innocent buyers looking for a good deal. She told me to ship the DVD back, but she never returned my money. It may also be an inexperienced seller, so don’t hesitate to open up a conversation about the item within eBay’s messaging system. They have a very comprehensive look at how to stay safe while using their platform. Alright, so this is what this guy was attempting to do. Hi, about 3 weeks ago I purchased an xbox from ebay, the price was lower than usuall but it had been an open auction not a buy it now. Scammed on Ebay 01-17-2017, 10:37 PM #1. This article has been viewed 269,828 times. So I would and the seller would always know how to close disputes. The buyer receives the item but claims you sent an empty box – in other words, accuses you of fraud. Scammers will use any available platform to trick innocent people out of their money or goods, and eBay is no exception. This is why you should set up a spare account and monitor your money after a transaction. A scammer doesn’t have to try very hard to steal your money, as most transaction sites are built to protect the buyer. ", my Paypal email rather than paying on eBay. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Getting scammed on eBay and I’m getting screwed over. Share. They may even provide photos of the broken item. Buyers don't need much evidence to claim foul play—in most cases, eBay … Some of this advice may be second nature to you, or may not apply to all sales. The seller is listed as highly rated (100%). eBay will demand a return and the buyer sends the empty box back to you, keeping the item and the money as it’s refunded. In this case, 91% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This helps to cover you for PayPal Seller Protection (but not necessarily other payment methods available through eBay). Can I get a refund from eBay if I have all the receipts and I didn't get what I ordered? If the good feedback is all from sellers for low-priced items, it may be strategic to make the profile look genuine. If possible, try to see what the other items a user has sold thus far. Yes. Now she is no longer a registered user and she has lots of complaints and negative feedback since i bought my DVD. I bought an item which was listed as coming from the United States. To counteract this, never settle for anything less than a written record of your transactions, preferably through email. According to the Federal Trade Commission’s 2019 “Put the brakes on phony online car sales” Consumer Information article , this happens a lot. I sold a watch on eBay and I received emails I thought where from PayPal telling me to send the item and the money is pending with them until I have a tracking number. eBay is the world's online marketplace - but it's also a mecca for scammers. I paid through PayPal to the sellers PayPal Acct. Options . HOWEVER Linus did get his money back, so he wasnt scammed at all, its just the seller only had the cpu's and not the mobo, nor the cooling or ram to test it out. Once the scammer has your money through untraceable means, they will stop communicating with you and will not send the item. I then appeal as buyer has not gone through correct process but ebay still agree with buyers claim and ebay tell me to make a claim via courier. Posted: Dec 24, 2020 / 06:44 PM CST / Updated: Dec 24, 2020 / 06:44 PM CST. If you do accept checks, wait until they clear. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This will help you to see how others have been scammed and learn from their mistakes. Think of something that would be extremely difficult for a hacker to get right but something that you could remember as easily as you could remember your name. When dealing with customers, be polite and respectful, but firm; remember, you don't owe anyone anything other than a guarantee that they'll get what they pay for. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. It is nice, low miles and very inexpensive. For example, they may ask for cash, bank transfer, check, money order or even gift cards. ", again, I will probably use a dedicated banking account and have the item sent to a PO. So … In this scam, the buyer then accuses you of sending a damaged item. Latests reviews from Identity Theft Protection. On eBay you have 30 days from tracking showing delivery, or if the seller does not give a tracking number 30 days from the last estimated delivery date, to file a dispute. I suggest you find comments about the seller on eBay and see if they have a positive rating. I received a text from a buyer asking me to reply to their email about their interest in my laptop. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. I lost faith selling on Ebay after a similar but not as costly scam from a lady who insisted goods were smashed up and insisted on full refund before returning to me. Instead, only do business with someone through PayPal or eBay so that you have a written record of everything. Compare the price to other similar items. Fortunately I was able to gain access to his account and reactivate it. How to Avoid Getting Scammed on eBay (with Pictures) - wikiHow E-bay spends a lot of effort in fraud prevention and I was on the front line, at least for a while. If you're able to, tell the person you are contacting authorities. This guide will tell you about the most common eBay scams, what to look for, and how to protect yourself. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. So I would and the seller would always know how to close disputes. Vet the seller carefully. Is this legit? Sue eBay. Israel Vieira is a Discourse Analyst and a PhD Candidate in Text and Discourse at Unisul's Language Sciences Program, where he studies the effects and characteristics of hoaxes, fake news and conspiracy theories. the seller sent it to a different address about 5 mi away from the freight forwarder. Some are targeted at buyers, others at sellers. I’ve followed your above guide. You end up owning expensive packaging, without the desired product. Was told pickup was not available and that payment had to be through paypal etc. Always complete transactions through eBay’s official channels. Watch out for high shipping prices. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. There aren't that many scammers on eBay - but the ones there tend to be greedy. However, if you buy a car from an online listing, you may be at risk of being scammed! Link to post Share on other sites. If you successfully complete a transaction and the buyer pays with a credit card or PayPal, they can easily contact the provider and cancel the transaction. 23 posts; 23 posts; Location: Gent; Posted August 17, 2017. I was a victim of being scammed by a savvy seller who knew how to work the eBay system. Never give out your address or phone number before completing a transaction; the same applies to any other personal information you can avoid. It was a small camper, I thought, ‘Well that would be perfect,’” she said. I will find out if there's a judgement some kind of way before I do any transactions, but thank you, this is been a big help. This article has been viewed 269,828 times. You can prevent this scam by either implementing a no-returns policy or by including buyer's insurance in the transaction. by massimo » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:54 pm I actually removed all of my details on paypal when the first Nigerian guy tried to scam me, just in case. The scammers will also ask for your PayPal email address. You might actually find that the market price is competitive. This leads you as the buyer to think you’ve received someone else’s parcel by mistake, and you return it or take it back to the post office. The seller seems reluctant to refund me when I contact him and he seems that he may be trying to scam me, he says the projector is damaged, but I did not even scratch it and it … They are willing to transfer the money to me and take care of postage from Australia to the US. Check to see if the image used to show the item is being used on other listings as well, or if it’s a stock image from the web. In general, eBay buyers have less to worry about because eBay tends to side with buyers in disputes. Good luck with it. PayPal doesn't lie, and neither does eBay; email, however, might. Am I being scammed on Ebay? You should be able to dispute a chargeback with the bank if you think it’s fraudulent but be prepared to provide proof. It can also be smart to issue a refund if you have an unhappy customer. Never rush to purchase an item on eBay. I couldn't even get Ebay to assist. I sold a camera for $1,950 image copyright Getty Images. Then they start to sell high ticket items when their trust has been falsely pumped up. Tips to help you to avoid getting scammed. If the item is worth more than $750, arrange for signature on delivery. Always open up the package and confirm you received what you ordered before you confirm receipt on the platform. Here are a couple of different ways to avoid being scammed when buying or selling on eBay. They may reason that when sales are conducted offsite the seller (you) can avoid paying transaction fees. Frugal living blog SquawkFox has a few suggestions for dealing with the unfortunate problem of being scammed by an eBay buyer. Finally, if you do decide to take my advice and open a new eBay account to replace the one that you got scammed on, do not use the same password for the new account. No Linus was not scammed I got scammed recently and ebay was a big pain. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 269,828 times. Share page. Unfortunately for you, the item is a replica of the one you sent. Remember that the more proof you can arrange, the more secure your transaction will be in the case of a fraudulent dispute. I appear to have been scammed after I sold a £450 pair of trainers on eBay about a month ago to a “buyer” in the US.. The brutal truth is, in cases like this, eBay almost always sides with the buyer. They readily cooperate with law enforcement and encourage scammed users to make a police report with their local authorities. I bought a satellite receiver of ebay, The guy had 69 feedback and 100% positive, He didn't take paypal so I sent a postal order, a week passed nothing, so I went to email him, I noticed he had then received 2 negs, I asked him where my item was he said he was waiting on a postal order to clear! As a general rule, though, you should never send or accept money orders, nor should you buy or sell animals on eBay. This article really helped to know what to do. Options. It's fine if you use the normal eBay checkout process for the item, and enter the redemption code in the "Redeem a Gift Card, certificate, or coupon" field. Israel Vieira is a Discourse Analyst and a PhD Candidate in Text and Discourse at Unisul's Language Sciences Program, where he studies the effects and characteristics of hoaxes, fake news and conspiracy theories. 0 Kudos davewil1964 View Listings. What do I do if an eBay user doesn't send an item and disappears? It helped assure me I wasn't getting, "I haven't heard from anybody yet to know if eBay Motors is legitimate, but you just said that I shouldn't send them, "I was selling, and two different buyers offered higher than the asking price. ", "It helped me spot a scam, and I hope I never get scammed again. I got scammed on eBay and got fake phones I reported the guy and he got in trouble and giveaway is over eBay cannot follow up deals made outside of the platform and cannot verify communications or agreements made on private channels. Knowing this, some scammers will buy from you and then demand money be sent through private means so that negative feedback won’t be left on your account. Here's some of the dodgy tricks designed to part from sellers from their money My brother recently order a phone and we though it would be cool to make this video. This method provides added security coupled with your retention of privacy. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Avoid-Getting-Scammed-on-eBay-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Avoid-Getting-Scammed-on-eBay-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Avoid-Getting-Scammed-on-eBay-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid55988-v4-728px-Avoid-Getting-Scammed-on-eBay-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"