How to Spot and Avoid an eBay Scam

How to avoid eBay scams

1. Never accept checks as payment. It's very risky as they are often a target for fraud. ...
2. Always complete transactions through eBay's official channels. Communicate using the service provided. ...
3. Document everything. ...
4. Always arrange for a tracking number for any deliveries you send.

1. How can you spot a scammer on eBay?
2. How do I prevent buyers from scamming on eBay?
3. How do I know if an eBay seller is legit?
4. Can you be scammed on eBay?
5. Can eBay reviews be faked?
6. Can I get my money back if I get scammed on eBay?
7. Does eBay sell fake stuff?
8. Is it better to sell on eBay or Amazon?
9. Can I trust eBay sellers?
10. Should I buy from eBay seller with no feedback?
11. Can an eBay seller steal your credit card number?
12. Is it safe to buy from China on eBay?
13. Can the police get involved with eBay?
14. What happens when eBay seller doesn't ship item?

How can you spot a scammer on eBay?

How To Spot eBay Scammers And Fraudulent Sellers

1. Check the feedback. Many scammers will boost their 100% feedback rating by purchasing lots of small items prior to attempting their scam. ...
2. $500 total sales. ...
3. Too good to be true. ...
4. Blow-outs, one-day sales, and urgency. ...
5. PayPal. ...
6. Logging in. ...
7. Outside-of-eBay transactions. ...
8. UPS tracking and signature confirmation.

How do I prevent buyers from scamming on eBay?

To prevent this type of scam from occurring, clearly state delivery confirmation will be used in the item listing. This will prevent scammers from bidding on your items in the first place. Shipments using UPS, FedEx, and DHL automatically come with delivery confirmation.

How do I know if an eBay seller is legit?

Like others have said, pay close attention to the sellers overall percentage of postive feedback. Don't just look at their percentage on the item page of their listing, actually click on the number of feedback and look at how many postive versus bad feedback they have.

Can you be scammed on eBay?

Whether you're a frequent buyer or seller on eBay (EBAY) - Get Report or consider yourself more of an occasional peruser, there are a lot of ways you can get scammed through online retail. From a classic bait-and-switch to fraudulent pay services, the methods of online scammers seem endless.

Can eBay reviews be faked?

While a seller may be able to use a few IDs to inflate their feedback numbers, they can't inflate them by that much. Feedback can only be left if a sale was made. Then the seller would have to pay listing and final value fees, to eBay for each transaction. That could get expensive for them.

Can I get my money back if I get scammed on eBay?

eBay Money Back Guarantee covers most transactions on eBay. It means buyers can get their money back if an item didn't arrive, is faulty or damaged, or doesn't match the listing. Learn more about eBay Authenticity Guarantee. ...

Does eBay sell fake stuff?

Counterfeit products are illegal and not allowed on eBay. Examples include: Fakes, copies, or replicas of brand name items (for example, a shoe with the Nike name or logo that wasn't made by Nike)

Is it better to sell on eBay or Amazon?

The bottom line is that Amazon is a far more competitive market for individual sellers and leans towards newer items whereas eBay provides sellers with the ability to build brand identity and while a majority of its items are new, it provides a niche for used items and collectibles.

Can I trust eBay sellers?

You can buy safely on eBay. In fact, eBay is safer than someone's personal website because of the third-party involvement of eBay and Paypal. Always report any offers to buy or sell an item outside of eBay.

Should I buy from eBay seller with no feedback?

As everyone has said, it's just fine to take a chance on a 0 feedback seller. ... If the item doesn't arrive by about 3 or 4 days after the last estimated delivery date, contact the seller and ask them to help you find the package. If they don't reply or won't address your concerns, file the Item Not Recieved claim.

Can an eBay seller steal your credit card number?

As a buyer, if I pay with a credit card, does the seller ever see my credit card number? It doesn't matter if you pay with the credit card option during checkout or with PayPal, the seller never sees the credit card or even knows that you paid with one.

Is it safe to buy from China on eBay?

Verify the Item Is Authentic

A safe rule of thumb is to assume that a well-known or high-end designer or brand offered from a seller in China is not authentic. If you order an item from China, receive it, and discover it is a fake, always report it to eBay's Vero Program.

Can the police get involved with eBay?

Reports about transactions outside of eBay or PayPal may not be investigated by law enforcement, although your report will help the police to build intelligence and monitor fraud activity. eBay will always assist in a criminal investigation received from Law Enforcement.

What happens when eBay seller doesn't ship item?

If your item hasn't arrived, you're protected by the eBay Money Back Guarantee and can ask the seller for a refund. Some sellers may also be able to send you out a replacement item, if they have one.