10 Common eBay Scams (and How to Avoid Them)

10 Common eBay Scams (and How to Avoid Them)

Nobody want to become a scam victim…especially on eBay. Here are the most common eBay scams that you need to know about and how you can avoid them.

1. Buyer Wants to Settle Outside of eBay

Never agree to work outside of eBay, no matter how tempting a “deal” may be. If you handle a transaction outside of eBay you’ll have no protection from eBay. Plus, you’ve violate eBay policy and could lose your eBay account. When communicating with buyers, always remember to use eBay messages. Doing so allows eBay to monitor communications and screen for offenses like “intent to defraud”.

2. Seller Runs Off with Money

For most items on eBay, you have protection if the seller takes your money and doesn’t give you what you paid for. But, there are several categories of items that aren't covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee (like real estate, vehicles, and other large purchases). Avoid shopping in categories that aren't covered by eBay's Money Back Guarantee.

3. The Seller Sends an Empty Box

Never rush to buy items on eBay, and always read a listing thoroughly before committing buy. Doing so can prevent you from buying an unintended item (like an empty box). You can always return an item for a refund, but you may be out some money in the end. Shipping fees typically aren’t refundable.

4. Buyer Claims that the Seller Sent an Empty Box

Make sure to always send packages with tracking. Additionally, it’s wise to document your shipping process by taking photos of your items. Doing so can protect you in the event that a buyer claims that you shipped them an empty box. If a buyer opens an eBay claim, you’ll need evidence to stop this scam.

5. Buyer Claims that the Item is Broken

Always make sure to take good photographs of the items you’re selling on eBay. If possible, include serial numbers and other distinguishable item features. Don’t ever use stock photos on your eBay listings. You’ll need photographic evidence to prove that you shipped the item in good condition.

6. Phishing Scams
Phishing scams typically occur when a scammers sends a fraudulent eBay message to your email account. The email that looks like an official notice from eBay, but it’s fake. It might ask you to take one of many actions: review your security details, update your password, confirm a recent purchase or sale, etc. This fake email always includes a link to log into your account. Don’t ever share your eBay info. If eBay ever needs to update your information, they’ll ask you to do it in your account when you’re logged into eBay.

7. Buyer Issues a Chargeback

If a buyer requests a return for a refund, it's always in your best interest to issue the refund. If you don’t, they may resort to a chargeback. You can try to dispute a chargeback, but if you lose, you'll have to pay additional fees.

8. Buyer Offers to Overpay

Never send items until you have the money in your account. If you take a check as payment, it may appear in your bank account right away (but can take up to two weeks for it to show as "bounced”). For maximum safety, you should never accept checks of any kind on eBay. And always complete transactions on eBay.

9. Seller Ships Wrong Item
Never refuse a deliver if a seller asks you to. Always inspect your eBay items and make sure that the item that your ordered is the item that you received. eBay’s “Money-Back Guarantee” is only valid for 30 days. Once you’re outside the time window, you’re out of luck.

10. Wrong Delivery Address

If a buyer asks to you to change their address to a new one, it’s important to know that if you do you won’t be protected by eBay. It’s always best to cancel a sale and have your customer purchase the item again (with the correct address of course).

Thanks for watching!

~ Justin

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Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:57 - Buyer Wants to Settle Outside of eBay
1:50 - Seller Runs Off with Money
3:10 - Seller Sends an Empty Box
5:08 - Buyer Claims Empty Box
6:35 - Buyer Claims Broken Item
7:36 - Phishing Scams
8:46 - Buyer Issues a Chargeback
9:52 - Buyer Offers to Overpay
10:44 - Seller Ships Wrong Item
11:42 - Wrong Delivery Address
12:58 - Conclusion

[veronicastewart]

I have sold on Ebay for 9 years, and never had a scam experience. However, I recently opened a second store. I got a scam with the first item I listed. Since my score was low in the new store, they thought I would be an easy mark. NOT!

[nyashwade]

I had someone try to scam me with the gift card and emailing method. I’m so frustrated because this is my first item I’m selling. I’m just trying to pay my bills 🤦🏾‍♀️

[susanstone]

Sellers should definitely be able to leave negative feedback.

[meowcatcat]

I sold on ebay in 2016 and had no negative issues, so I thought I'd give it another go (Oct. 2022). I listed 26 items and quickly became uneasy with some of the changes. #1) ebay now requires my checking account routing/acct. numbers. They claim (to make payment deposits and of course, the ability to withdraw fees, etc. #2) through the community board I'm now seeing ebay will AUTOMATICALLY REFUND the buyer (when they claim damage, not as described, etc..) before the buyer even starts to send the item back. In fact, they have up to 30 days to do so! **If they already have their money immediately returned, what is their incentive to return my item to me? NONE. Within the same week I just pulled all my listings, minus the couple that are now selling with bids and buy it now. I'd feel better taking my items to the pawn shop (or give it away) than to be fuc*$# by some low life piece of s%*#.

[KarlaZamudio]

Thank you for your video. I am new to selling on Ebay. 1 month into my Ebay journey. At the beginning when I opened my account and listed my first items, I was bombarded with scammers. It was obvious! The fake accounts and whatnot. I ignored the offers. Then I got a legitimate offer because the buyer had recent positive reviews. That transaction went well. Today I got an offer, the buyer opened an account 3 weeks, no reviews from anyone as a buyer or seller, but on top of their profile it says 13 positive reviews. If its true that they have 13 reviews, why aren't they visible? Why can't I see these "positive reviews" are these ratings fabricated by the account holder? There's no image picture either.

[dmanpro]

Hi Justin thanks for all the good info, you have really helped me out with my eBay business. My first scam was a buyer threatening a negative feedback if I didn’t do a partial refund of 5 to 10 dollars. I asked for photos of the item and they gave me an excuse why they couldn’t, so I insisted they open a return through eBay. They left me a pretty nasty negative, and never opened a return. I called eBay and they removed it within just a few minutes and I blocked the buyer. Thanks again for all the great videos.

[freedomisfromtruth]

One of the biggest scammers was Ebay itself, a buyer opened a case of not receiving when tracking showed still enroute within 2 days. Ebay closed the case and refunded the buyer within 1 day. A dispute was opened - ebay says we will reply within 3 days. They never replied. Also when buyer tries to say item does not work, ebay will refund the buyer the full amount including the shipping they paid and charge you also for the return postage. The heavy monitor worked fine when received back which I paid over $28 shipping both ways - back then. Reporting the buyer for false claims did not result in anything from Ebay. So anyone else is just an amateur compared to Ebay. Amazon is no better, they refund a buyer before they had them even try to return the item.

[smartin]

eBay ALWAYS sides with the buyer. If you cant afford to loose an item then dont sell it on eBay. Also trust your gut if you think the buyer looks suspicious and is shipping to a crazy, wierd address. If you are really worried about scam address, check the address on Google maps street view and check out where it is going. I once had a suspicious order for a high value Bose item that was to be shipped to a VERY odd address and it looked like a flop house in the desert on Google maps. I cancled the order, deleted the item and relisted a few weeks later.

[diannematthews]

Had the scam of 'Item was Broken' happen to me. Canadian buyer. Unhappy from the get-go. Tried to cancel after item was shipped but before they received it. During Pandemic shipping times were slow. Early morning of estimated arrival date (Saturday) asked for money back. Item arrived Monday. Claimed damaged in transit. Two large ceramic canisters. Looked like a sledge hammer completely broke one to dust. The other untouched. Ebay refunded them. I never did shipping to Canada again.

[Ace]

Had a buyer request a refund, and somehow they changed the physical delivery address to to a different address in the same city. Ebays tracking only shows that it is delivered to the right city. You have to check with the post office to find out it's a different address. Currently fighting ebay over this since they believe that the address can't be changed.

[SirCavemaninthewest]

Hopefully more people run into this good info.

I hate bogus sellers!

[BurtonsAttic]

I found you today because someone pulled #4 on me. They didn't say it was empty. They said the end of the package was open and USPS delivered it that way. Learned a few new ones from you as well, thanks.

[Card_Threapy]

I love when they say haven’t got it yet and it was delivered 3 days ago LOL 😂

[oriondragos]

I just had to deal with a deadbeat bidder. Saw they had 20 positive feedback but when I clicked on their user name, the majority were non paying bids. Had to cancel two auction they bid on. Sucks that Ebay doesn't allow sellers to leave negative feedback.

[vah]

Nice! Very thorough and yes there are definitely more... it's been a year do u have an updated list?

[DebbieDemmers-Adkins]

Thank you, Justin! It is sad that we have to deal with things such as this as I had someone recently offer an amount and ask if I would accept it at the beginning of the auction...didn't do it because the auction was just started...and yes, was a little skeptical.

[One_Only]

I have high shipping because I put insurance on everything to make sure that everything stays honest.

[thelurker]

only things i buy on ebay are collectibles like movies magazines comic books figures etc, ive never had any issues, only thing i really had was it saying delivered but it was just the post office not bringing it to my house otherwise i always ask the seller a ton of questions before hand and usually always works out perfectly

[rrtcad]

Thank you for the take a picture tip! Used it today. The buyer said the “taped box was open and packed poorly, and the jewelry was not on the card. “Saying they didn’t want to give bad feedback” (I actually send pictures of the packing prior to shipping! 🎉) I referred the buyer back to the picture a bubble envelope and said I would follow up with a usps investigation because clearly something really weird happened😮.

[cml]

Thanks for doing this … you just created a subscriber! I never knew any of these and have both been very naive and lucky… thanks for making me a smarter buyer!