Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
eBay scams are on the rise. It’s so easy to fall for them, especially when there are so many.
I have a friend who was scammed out of nearly $300 on eBay. The seller had a relatively new account and requested a deposit over PayPal. The next day, the profile was deleted. It was a hard and costly lesson to learn. Never accept payment via PayPal.
That’s only one online scam frequently used. I’ve compiled a list of 10 scams we see on eBay and offered ways to recognize, avoid, and outsmart the scammers every time. For this list, I’ve added common signs of eBay scams that are easy to miss and listed some current scams.
Follow along to learn how to avoid eBay scams.
Phishing
Phishing scams are pretty common. They can look normal at first. A seller sends a link with an innocent-looking comment.
However, a virus downloads onto your device once you click the link. This virus can locate sensitive information like your name, address, and credit card numbers. If someone sends you a link, disregard it.
No Feedback History
Once you find an item you want to buy, I recommend looking at the seller’s account closely. Not all new sellers are scammers, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.
Scammers tend to create new accounts with each scam attempt. If there aren’t any reviews and the listing looks too good to be true, avoid it!
Only Poor Reviews
eBay doesn’t get rid of scammers immediately. Sometimes, scammers get away with scamming multiple people before they are banned.
A way to avoid eBay scams is to avoid purchasing from someone with super low ratings. If the seller has four reviews under three stars, move along. You might not get a working product even if they aren’t scammers.
Paying Outside of eBay
eBay lets you pay for products on the website. You don’t need to use another application or payment method.
I don’t recommend paying anyone outside of eBay. This way, you are protected. With eBay, there is a chance you get your money back, but with other apps, no.
It’s really weird when an eBay listing doesn’t have the right photos, and it’s even more bizarre if the images come from the internet.
A common scam on eBay is for scammers to list a rare item but use stock photos to show it off. How do you really know if they have this item? It’s too risky to trust the seller and purchase it.
Suspiciously Low Price
If something looks too good to be true, it is. eBay doesn’t recommend buying anything that is suspiciously heavily discounted. Is there a reason a brand-new iPhone is just $50?
If you wouldn’t sell an item for that low, don’t buy one online.
“Box Only” in the Description
Not paying close attention to a listing can cost you. Did you know some scams add ‘box only’ in the description at the end? Not everyone reads the entire description.
Imagine buying a $200 TV only to receive a box. Check the description carefully to avoid this.
Knockoffs
Counterfeit and knockoff items are everywhere on eBay, and it’s hard to avoid them. If you’re scared you’re buying a knockoff, look at the listing.
Are the images real? Reverse image search the listing photos to make sure they aren’t generic. Take an even closer look at the reviews to see if anyone else complained.
Fake Customer Service Phone Numbers
No one from eBay’s customer service will ever randomly call you. Still, scammers will call random people, telling them their package is delayed.
The solution? To cover shipping by sending money over the phone.
eBay Motors Scam
Have you heard of the eBay Motors scam? In this scam, fake sellers create a listing and sell you a sad story. The car is heavily discounted to account for needing money for their dire situation.
They also refuse to send recent pictures or show the car in person. Ultimately, they ask for a deposit or the full amount outside of eBay, which doesn’t protect the buyer.
Poor Grammar
Technically, poor grammar isn’t an immediate sign of a scammer. People from all over the world use eBay to sell items.
Still, if the spelling and grammar are difficult to understand and you see any other signs of a scam, avoid the listing.
Incorrect Label
The incorrect label scam is exactly what it sounds like. It usually involves a low-cost item. After the seller ships the item, the buyer receives it under a different name.
Sometimes, sellers return the package, assuming it was the wrong package or mislabeled. However, when the seller receives the package again, they keep the item and the money.
15 Bizarre Items That People Bought and Sold on eBay
We all have an eBay account, but who still uses the platform? Traditionally, eBay was the go-to website to sell and buy used items. There are many marketplaces for second-hand items, but eBay is where weirdness abounds. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen on eBay? I can bet it wasn’t as weird as some of these items.
13 Home Renovations That Are Not Worth the Money
There’s something to be said about making your home your own. However, certain renovation projects simply aren’t worth the money and time invested.
Being pragmatic about the projects you decide to invest in around your home can be a considerable challenge. There’s always the temptation to add the features you’ve dreamed of having. Then there’s the reality of costs, maintenance, and the long-term appeal of realizing your dream.
I approached compiling the way I would suggest anyone start when contemplating a renovation. I dug into years of real estate sale and construction data from the last few decades to see how costs have fluctuated compared to buyer demand for certain home features. These were the resounding renovation losers, not worth the money.
The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
If you’re looking for ways to earn more money to put toward your goals, start by examining your spending habits. By tracking your spending and seeing where every dollar goes, you’ll likely find several instances of spending money you don’t have to. It could be little things that add up or recurring monthly expenses that are an utter waste of money.
Once you eliminate your bad spending habits, the money you save can go toward your emergency fund, paying off debt, or other essential things. Here are the 41 biggest wastes of money to look out for.
- Read More: The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
