Selling online: scams that target sellers on Marketplace, Vinted and eBay
Most advice is about not getting ripped off when you buy. But sellers are targeted just as hard, and the tricks are less well known. If you sell a sofa, a phone, a car or old clothes online, these are the scams to expect.
The scams
The fake payment screenshot
A buyer sends a screenshot or email showing the money "sent" or "pending", and asks you to post the item or hand it over. The screenshot is edited. Nothing is coming.
Rule: only trust money you can see in your own banking app or inside the platform's own payment system. Never a screenshot, never an email.
"Payment is held until you upgrade your account"
You receive an email, apparently from PayPal or the platform, saying the buyer's money is held until you "upgrade to a business account", pay a "release fee" or "verify your card". The buyer offers to cover it. The email is fake, and the "fee" goes to the criminal, along with your card details.
The courier scam
The buyer can't collect and sends "their courier". You're asked to pay the courier's "insurance" or shipping fee, which the buyer has "included" in a fake overpayment. Or the courier is real and the item simply leaves with no payment behind it.
The overpayment
The buyer "accidentally" pays too much, often by cheque or a reversible method, and asks for the difference back by bank transfer. Their payment later bounces or is reversed. You've refunded money you never had.
The verification code
"To prove you're a real seller, read me the code I've just sent you." It's a code to take over your phone number, your Google or Facebook account, or your bank. Never read out a code to anyone.
The off-platform move
"Let's do it on WhatsApp", "I'll pay by bank transfer to save fees", "send me your email for PayPal". Off the platform, you lose its protection and the scammer can use any of the tricks above.
The fake "item not received" claim
A buyer pays, receives the item, then claims it never arrived or was damaged, and the platform refunds them. Posting with tracking and photographing the item and packaging protects you.
Vehicle sellers: the test drive and the "deposit"
Fake buyers send deposits by transfer that later reverse, or arrange test drives to steal the car. Meet in a safe place, never hand over keys to someone alone, and check money has fully cleared before releasing a vehicle.
Safe selling habits
- Stay on the platform for messages and payment. Vinted, eBay and similar only protect sales paid through their own system.
- For local sales, cash on collection is safest for small items. For bigger amounts, a bank transfer you watch arrive in your own app before the item leaves.
- Check the money is in your account, not "pending" and not in an email. Log in yourself; don't follow links.
- Never pay any fee to receive a payment. Real payments don't need unlocking.
- Never refund an overpayment. Ask the buyer to cancel and pay the right amount.
- Post with tracking and keep proof of postage, the item's condition and the packaging.
- Protect your account with a unique password and two-step verification. Hacked seller accounts are used to scam other people.
- Watch for buyers who message within seconds of listing, ask "is this still available?" then immediately push for a courier, your email, or a code.
If it's happened to you
If you sent money or entered card details, call your bank on 159. Report the buyer to the platform so the account is removed, and to Report Fraud (0300 123 2040) or Police Scotland on 101. If you read out a code, secure that account immediately: change the password and check the recovery email and phone number. Our scam help page has the full steps. Bank Safe Online can't investigate or recover items or money.
Last reviewed: October 2026