can you get scammed on ebay

You should also generally be on the lookout for things that simply sound too good to be true. For tips on how to avoid getting scammed as a seller on eBay, including what to do if a buyer refuses to pay, read on! 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. This may dissuade some genuine buyers, but it will also keep scammers away. The seller asked me to send the money to an eBay agent. scammed.However, my friend recently got scammed selling an item (the buyer claimed the package never arrived), and I remembered this article had a section on that, too. Most scammers will be unresponsive to emails or may cancel their eBay account, which helps you to start the claim process sooner. If you're able to, tell the person you are contacting authorities. Sellers can't really scam people this way because without a tracking number (or even if they send you the wrong item) buyer can always get the case closed in their favor. If you wire money to a seller, you are giving that person a gift of cash. Though it's safe if the buyer says it is optional to use gift cards. Then file a police report, and file a complaint with eBay and PayPal as well. You don’t always get what you pay for. Total and complete 100% SCAM. eBay has buyer protection, and as long as the description specifically does not match the item, you can file a report with eBay and get the issued resolved if you file it within 30 days of the item being claimed as 'shipped'. Pay on collection of big-ticket merchandise such as cars, large furniture, or similar items. Remember that eBay Money Back Guarantee only covers eligible transactions that are completed ON eBay.co.uk and paid for with PayPal. Often times scammers can be easy enough identify and avoid, but we don't always have our guards up and some are more clever than others. No, this is a scam, do not give them any information! The fake PayPal account. If a seller wants gift cards only, it is probably a scam. In an age where the bulk of informal market trading happens online, eBay is a pioneer. Finally, retain all documentation for at least a year after the transaction and check your bank account regularly in case of any irregular activity. Remember that if an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is. If you’re deemed to be below standard (as shown on your Seller Dashboard) eBay can limit your selling activities until your performance improves. Total and complete 100% SCAM. If you have too many disputes opened against you, you can be banned from using PayPal, *make sure you see the payment in your account before sending any items out, *only ship to the address PayPal gives you, *ALWAYS get tracking, signature needed if over $250. All you have to do is alert them, and they'll look into the situation for you. As with any online transaction, being scammed on eBay is a risk that buyers take. If being described by eBay as ‘defective’ isn’t bad enough, it can also adversely affect your ability to sell on the site. 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. Like with most theft, it's unlikely you're going to recover anything if it comes to this but that doesn't mean you shouldn't report the scammer to help the next person. However, there have still been devious people who have pulled tricks on unsuspecting buyers and sellers on eBay, defrauding them of … If you sell something like a phone, computer or any kind of tech, make sure you take a picture of the serial numbers. Can I get a refund from eBay if I have all the receipts and I didn't get what I ordered? Is buying things off of eBay with eBay gift cards safe? Depends on what buyer do. You can always say "more information upon request" in your posting to counteract the harshness of this policy--honesty is on your side. Even though the case will not be investigated, it will go on the seller's account permanently and count towards their dispute percentage. If you used a debit card the money's likely gone, but sometimes your bank can still help you and it's worth making the call. You’ll get tons of crusty old eBayer’s claiming that it’s the worst mistake that money-grabbing-eBay has ever made and that they’re boycotting the platform. You should also avoid negotiating with the seller outside of eBay, and don't agree to pick up the item in person unless it's in a public space with a lot of people. Share your thoughts in the comments. This article really helped to know what to do. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. I received a text from a buyer asking me to reply to their email about their interest in my laptop. You can find more information in our policy below. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 269,000 times. Sometimes people sell very small, cheap items in "penny auctions" to get high sales figures, high approval ratings, and positive feedback. Yes, you can. What should I do? Maybe a little revenge? Never give out your address or phone number before completing a transaction; the same applies to any other personal information you can avoid. Often times scammers can be easy enough identify and avoid, but we don't always have our guards up and some are more clever than others. * You have to go through the Resolution Centre. This article was co-authored by Israel Vieira Pereira, PhD. Additionally, don't forget to leave negative feedback on their account and post about them online. How safe is this? As a general rule, you should not accept money orders or checks of any kind--the risks are simply too high, even if your buyer's intentions are good. They will reverse the transaction and your laptop is gone forever and you'll never get that money back! Before you even bid on your first item, make sure your PayPal and eBay settings are as secure as possible. This was done through ebay email but no bid was placed. Yes, Western Union is a money order service. To ensure that all of your emails regarding your account are correct, log into the pertaining service and check manually. Log into your PayPal account and look at your transaction history. The security of knowing you won't get scammed is worth the extra money mandated by going through a legitimate business. Find out more about our eligibility requirements for eBay Money Back Guarantee. The seller wants my address and phone number because she is selling it through eBay's Buyers Plan. The same logic applies to your home address--especially if you're purchasing something from a long-distance seller, consider picking the package up at the post office. i am like you own ebay you own paypal tell me how you cant override you’re banking department to take money out of his account back to mine. The easiest way to ensure the cooperation of both parties in an event like this is by meeting face-to-face in a neutral area with plenty of visibility--i.e., a shopping center. However, if you buy a car from an online listing, you may be at risk of being scammed! For tips on how to avoid getting scammed as a seller on eBay, including what to do if a buyer refuses to pay, read on! As for buyers being scammed I am sure it is possible. I would call the bank as well and explain to them that you were scammed. I am new to eBay. Make sure you do this within 45 days of payment and also be sure your purchase is covered by eBay's buyer protection policies. Wire transfers are prohibited on eBay. You may be saving on the item, but paying a small fortune for shipping. However, there is always the chance that you will be scammed, and, no matter how rare this chance is, you should be prepared for it. Never using ebay before this had no idea this was happening. What does it mean if someone just wants to be paid with those? If possible, request additional photos or information as well--again, if the seller is reluctant to accommodate your request, they're probably hiding something. You will never receive an item and eBay cannot help you. Gift cards are non-refundable when used. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. What if the seller wants you to pay with eBay gift cards? The most common scam is called the "bait and switch refund", in which a buyer complains about receiving a broken or faulty device after it ships. If possible, try to see what the other items a user has sold thus far. How do I know if it's safe to pay someone through eBay? Some scammers can even provide service to your home for a short time to make you believe the scam is legitimate. You are more protected as a buyer on eBay than those selling so I asked a few fellow bloggers to share with me ways in which you can avoid getting scammed when selling on eBay. If you go by all the posts and comments online, it’s nearly impossible to sell on eBay without being scammed, by the buyer! This article was co-authored by Israel Vieira Pereira, PhD. I too believe that employees at ebay are criminals. Yes. What do I do if an eBay user doesn't send an item and disappears? If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. They are willing to transfer the money to me and take care of postage from Australia to the US. ", my Paypal email rather than paying on eBay. About eBay Money Back Guarantee. To avoid getting scammed on eBay, check out a user's reviews and avoid doing business with someone if their reviews are negative. now im out of $70.00. Yes, you CAN get scammed. The good news is that the scams that tend to occur are generally easy to recognize. As you look through Kelly Blue Book, Craigslist, or eBay, you hope for a great deal on a reliable car. Lately I've been worried about being conned while buying or selling on…. Here are a couple of different ways to avoid being scammed when buying or selling on eBay. If you're suspicious about an email that claims to be from eBay, sign in to My eBay and click the Messages tab. Computer Scams If you bid in a computer auction but don't win, the seller might email you to ask … Approved. Insertion fees and other eBay fees aren't refunded, though. Do not trust any email telling you that you have been paid. By using our site, you agree to our. Is this legit? This method provides added security coupled with your retention of privacy. It is absolutely possible for someone to steal your credit card data from PayPal. Another common scam consists of buyers attempting to settle transactions outside of eBay--over the phone, for example--which leads to eBay having no written record of the transaction if they choose to scam you. Selling an item, you receive the customary email notification from PayPal … ", again, I will probably use a dedicated banking account and have the item sent to a PO. Seller Beware: How To Avoid Being Scammed On eBay. I was asked to send an electronic item I was trying to sell to someone in a foreign country. I too was scammed with ebay gift cards. eBay Buyer Beware: What to do if you’re scammed on eBay. If buyer reports it to ebay/paypal, they will take the money out of your paypal account (leaving it in negative if they have to) to refund buyer. A seller may approach you before the end of an auction, and suggest you come to a private deal - perhaps at a lower price - so he or she can avoid paying all the eBay fees. Scammers realise this … Unfortunately the scammer was quite aware that for protection from unauthorised use claims, the seller must post to the address shown in the Paypal transaction details. Very sickening! Whenever you are asked to ship an item to a far away place and request non-traditional payment methods it is almost always a scam, you'll ship the laptop. PayPal will tell you when it is safe to ship. Here are a few things you can do to try and fix the situation. 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. And as everyone says, most real cars being sold have a reserve price on them and the car will not sell if the reserve is not met. Scam.com is one example of a forum where you can post your negative experiences. Thanks for the A2A. They then insisted on me giving them, "To keep my banking and address details secure. % of people told us that this article helped them. Then they start to sell high ticket items when their trust has been falsely pumped up. when i contacted Ebay they said there was nothing they can do. Most of the time, you’d be right. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. 3 eBay Scams to Avoid as a Buyer You have had some very instructive answers here to your question about getting scammed and I can see that you've taken some of that advice on board. Watch out for high shipping prices. Although you should definitely do your own research on this based on the context of your transaction, you should generally never send money to a third party. I have deleted both from my account, and when I purchase something, "My first time getting ready to use Ebay Cruz; the seller wishes to go that route. You can follow Adam Dachis, the author of this post, on Twitter and Facebook. Instead, only do business with someone through PayPal or eBay so that you have a written record of everything. Perhaps the largest scam on eBay is the scam of shipping a falsely advertised item. You can void your buyer protection through eBay, or simply lose your money--it's too easy for someone with whom you have no relationship (on paper or otherwise) to disappear with your money. Is it mandatory to buy insurance for auto shipping on eBay? If you're selling an expensive item--especially if it is rare--consider changing the terms of your listing to "no refunds". Is it legit if a seller wants me to wire transfer money to eBay? Got any other suggestions for coping with being scammed? 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. It's not a bad idea to have an entirely separate email and bank account dedicated solely to your eBay transactions. "Would you know if eBay can reimburse me somehow or track him down and have him charged ? " ... years and buying as well on this account. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Similarly, you shouldn't buy pets or consumables from eBay--there's too much potential for risk. References When You Buy and Sell. Thanks. Once again, eBay and PayPal will usually back you up in this case, so long as you have retained all of your written records. "I looked at this article before buying something on Ebay for the first time. First, you're going to need to contact the seller and try to resolve things yourself as eBay will not help you if you do not do this. If you don't see the same message there, the email is fake. they can track exactly who and where the gift cards were spent but will do nothing to refund my money. Read up on eBay's terms of use and examples of scam prevention before buying or selling anything. If you pay with PayPal and the seller turns out to be a scammer, you can file a claim with PayPal and generally get your money back. There are rules about this. Assuming that fails, you're going to want to report the problem to eBay, as well as PayPal (if that's how you paid), so everything is official and the long resolution process can begin. You can avoid most basic scams by simply requesting more information about the item and the terms of the item's sale. Pretty much every online forum or eBay related blog you visit will be FULL of such stories and from the emails I get, it’s clear that this is one of the main things that holds new sellers back from getting started on eBay. {"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":"