Stay safe on online resale platforms

If you’re in the market for a new outfit, coffee table or gadget, you might head to online resale platforms like Vinted and eBay.

As the cost of living keeps going up, these apps and sites have been a real blessing for many, helping millions of us both make and save a bit of money.

But where consumers go, scammers are never far behind.

According to research by Experian, nearly two-fifths (37%) of Brits have been scammed while buying or selling on online marketplaces.

What tactics are scammers using?

More than one in three (34%) people who’ve been scammed say they’ve been sent fake or counterfeit products.

A similar number (31%), meanwhile, were asked by sellers to pay off-platform, and more than one in five (22%) bought items that never arrived.

How much money have victims lost?

Nearly a quarter of those affected lost between £51 and £100.

And more than one in ten (13%) have lost more than £250.

What can I do to stay safe?

Online marketplaces are great places to bag bargains - so the last thing we want to do is put you off using them.

But it’s important to take precautions so you’re less likely to fall victim to scammers, such as:

Stick to secure payment methods 

If a seller wants to take your transaction off-platform, say no.

Make sure you’re only using secure payment methods and avoid bank transfers where possible.

Don’t be rushed

Scammers might try to hurry you into making a purchase, so it’s important to step back and think before taking any action.

Take a close look at photos

The photos that accompany a product listing might hint that something isn’t quite right.

For example, they may be using professional photos from a catalogue or low-resolution images taken from other websites.

Look at the seller’s profile

See if they have a strong track record of buying and selling, with a history of positive reviews and feedback.

If they don’t, that should set alarm bells ringing.

Trust your instincts 

Remember the old adage that if something looks too good to be true, then it probably is.

So if you’re anything less than 100% sure, then it’s probably worth avoiding.

What can I do if I get scammed?

If you’re unlucky enough to get scammed, then:

Report what’s happened to the marketplace

Let the marketplace you’ve fallen victim to a scammer, and give them any relevant details, such as the seller’s details and screenshots of your communications.

They’ll review what’s happened and might be able to give you a refund, but that’s not guaranteed.

Tell Action Fraud 

Report scams to Action Fraud on their website or by calling 0300 123 2040.  

For more tips and advice on staying safe, check out our handy guides on how to spot a scam and outsmarting online scammers.