How to Avoid eBay Scams: A Comprehensive Guide

eBay is one of the world’s most popular online auction sites, hosting over 2 billion auctions at any given moment. And the site isn’t just for retail brands; it also helps connect individual buyers and sellers. This means anyone can auction products, from used books to new cars, and anyone can buy them.

This low entry barrier makes it easy for people to buy and sell products around the globe, but it also attracts scammers looking to take advantage of inexperienced buyers and sellers.

Overall, eBay is legit and safe, and the site has many security measures in place to block scammers and protect users. However, you can still get scammed on eBay if you’re not careful. To avoid eBay scams, learn how to identify them and what to do if you encounter one or become a victim.

Understanding eBay scams

eBay scams happen when someone tries to defraud a buyer or seller, typically with the intent of tricking them out of their money.

There are many different types of eBay scams affecting both buyers and sellers. Some scammers sell counterfeit or fake products for too-good-to-be-true prices. Others buy high-ticket items and then claim they never received them in hopes of getting their money back.

While eBay is generally safe, scams are not uncommon. A recent study found that about 1 in 3 buyers and 1 in 5 sellers encountered a scam from 2022 to 2024. eBay offers some protections to buyers and sellers who have fallen victim to scams, but it’s still very possible to walk away with empty hands (and pockets).

To be clear, eBay is not uniquely susceptible to scams. They also occur on similar marketplaces like Amazon and Facebook Marketplace.

eBay scams have been around since the auction site launched in 1995, and they aren’t expected to go away, despite eBay’s strong anti-fraud measures. Learning common red flags of eBay scams is your first line of defense against fraud.

Common types of eBay scams

If you’re planning to buy or sell on eBay, you need to learn to recognize these common eBay scams.

Phishing and Impersonation Scams

Phishing scams on eBay happen when a scammer pretends to be someone else to trick you into giving up personal information, login credentials, or payment details, often by clicking a malicious link. Scammers may impersonate buyers, sellers, or eBay staff, or create fake versions of automated eBay messages.

In one common eBay phishing scam, fraudsters send emails that appear to be from eBay asking you to verify your account by clicking a link. However, these links lead to imposter websites where scammers can capture your login credentials or infect your device with malware.

To help protect yourself from phishing, only communicate on the eBay platform and avoid clicking links you receive from users or via email.

Payment fraud and refund abuse

Payment fraud and refund abuse are ways for scammers to receive products without paying — or, conversely, to get paid without shipping a product. They do this in many ways. Here are some of the most common:

• Overpayment scams: Scammers “accidentally” overpay for a product and ask the seller to refund the overpaid amount off the eBay platform (e.g., via Venmo). Then, they use the overcharge as evidence to dispute the charge for a full refund.

• Chargeback/friendly fraud: Scammers claim they never received the product after it was delivered. They get a full refund and keep the product.

• Payment off-platform: Scammers offer discounts if the buyer pays off-platform (via Zelle, PayPal, etc). They take the money and never ship the product.

• Gift card payment: Scammers ask buyers to send gift card codes as payment instead of paying through eBay. They redeem the codes and disappear.

To steer clear of these scams, always transact on the eBay platform (this includes paying via PayPal through eBay). Remember that eBay offers no protection if you pay off-platform or use unauthorized payment methods such as gift cards.

As a seller, be wary of unusual payments, such as overpayments. This can be a sign that a scammer will try to dispute the charge. And, don’t agree to expedited shipping before the buyer’s payment clears.

Delivery and shipping scams

Delivery and shipping scams manipulate the delivery process or mislead buyers/sellers into thinking an item was lost, damaged, or never sent. eBay requires delivery and tracking confirmation to resolve disputes, so many scammers fake these documents to bypass eBay’s protections.

These are some common delivery scams:

• Non-delivery scams: Sellers collect money from buyers and never ship the products. They counterfeit tracking numbers and delivery information to avoid issuing a refund.

• Empty box scams: Sellers ship an empty box. Tracking and delivery are verified, but buyers receive nothing. Alternatively, buyers claim they received an empty box and collect a refund.

• Tracking number scams: Scammers send buyers real tracking numbers from past or unrelated shipments (usually to the same ZIP code or city). eBay thinks the item was delivered, but the buyer didn’t receive anything.

• Swapped label scams: Sellers ship to a different name or address within the buyer’s ZIP code. Tracking shows the package was delivered, but the buyer received nothing.

• Return abuse: The buyer claims the item was damaged or not as described and demands a refund. They return a damaged or different item and keep the original.

Delivery scams are more common on high-value items like electronics. To avoid them, use insured shipping that requires a signature. As a seller, record yourself packing the item and shipping it. Never accept last-minute address changes. Only ship to the verified eBay address.

For buyers, never make purchases off-platform. Record yourself opening the package, making sure the tracking and delivery information is visible on the video.

Triangulation fraud

Triangulation fraud is a type of dropshipping scam where a seller uses a stolen credit card to buy items for resale on eBay.

Here’s how it works:

The scammer lists items on eBay, such as new TVs, phones, etc. When a buyer purchases an item, the scammer uses a stolen card to purchase the item from a retailer (such as Walmart) and has it shipped to the buyer’s address.

The seller gets paid and the buyer receives the product. Everyone is satisfied except the owner of the stolen credit card and the legitimate store, which will likely be stuck with the chargeback. If the purchase is linked to the buyer’s address, their item may be reclaimed.

To avoid complicity in triangulation fraud, avoid buying products with prices that are too good to be true. Scammers sell expensive items for low prices to make lots of quick sales (and quick money). Contact eBay immediately if your item arrives directly from a retailer, such as Best Buy or Walmart.

Bidding manipulation scams

eBay is an auction site, so prices can fluctuate depending on demand for the item. Scammers can take advantage of this by artificially inflating or suppressing an item’s price.

Sellers may want their item to sell for a higher price, so they create separate accounts and place bids to drive the price up.

Buyers may want to buy an item at a low price, so they make super high bids to scare away other bidders. Then, at the last minute, they cancel their bids and ask an accomplice to buy the item for next to nothing.

Buyers and sellers need to keep an eye on bidding patterns of their auctions. For sellers, initial high bids and last-minute retractions can be signs of suppression. For buyers, quick bids from new accounts may indicate price inflation.

eBay Motors scams

eBay Motors is eBay’s dedicated platform for selling cars, boats, RVs, and all sorts of auto accessories. These are some of the highest-priced items on the platform, so scammers have the opportunity to cash in big.

Scammers aim to move victims off the eBay platform, where they’re no longer eligible for protection. Because the items are so valuable, they plan sophisticated phishing and counterfeit campaigns to do this.

Scammers may send a series of emails throughout the sale process, reminding the seller of eBay’s seller protection and listing the steps to safely pay. They often send fake documents from eBay, as well as fake transaction numbers and contracts, all to make the process appear legit.

By the time the seller pays, they believe they’re following eBay’s process. But instead, they’re making an off-platform payment.

To avoid this scam, make sure you’re paying on the eBay platform. For large purchases, contact eBay before making payment to verify that you’re covered. Avoid sellers offering vehicles below market value, and always ask to see the vehicle in person before buying. Even if you don’t plan to see the vehicle in person, still ask. If the buyer makes excuses or refuses, it may be a scam.

Feedback scams and reputation extortion

Feedback scams weaponize eBay’s feedback system, which sellers rely on to maintain their businesses. Buyers may threaten sellers with a poor review if they don’t offer a discount or refund, even if they received a product in perfect condition.

In less common cases, sellers may offer incentives, such as a bonus item, in exchange for positive feedback. Or, they may retaliate after getting a less-than-perfect score by giving the buyer a poor review.

eBay prohibits buyers and sellers from manipulating feedback, even in seemingly innocent ways, such as offering a free gift or discount for a good review. If you receive messages or blackmail related to feedback, screenshot them and report them to eBay.

Counterfeit and replica goods scams

This scam happens when scammers sell high-end items and then ship counterfeit or replica versions. For example, you may buy a Prada bag on eBay for $300 and receive a fake lookalike instead.

This is especially common with designer clothes, accessories, and electronics. Many scammy sellers ship from abroad, where they can easily disappear with your money.

When shopping for valuable items, always check the shipping country of origin. If you’re buying an Italian designer dress from Bangladesh, it could be a red flag. Ask sellers for proof of authenticity, such as original sales receipts. Generally, if luxury items are priced substantially below retail, they’re likely too good to be true.

How eBay scams affect buyers

There are many eBay scams affecting buyers, but most of them lead to the same outcome: the buyer makes a payment but doesn’t receive what they paid for. Sometimes, the buyer receives nothing at all. Or, they may receive a fake, counterfeit, or completely different product.

When buyers follow eBay’s policies, such as paying and communicating on the platform, they may be eligible for a refund if they get scammed. If they don’t, they may be stuck with no recourse.

Red flags for buyers

If you notice any of the following red flags when purchasing something on eBay, you might want to reconsider.

• Requests to pay off-platform: Scammers are desperate to get you to pay off-platform (via bank transfer, Cash App, crypto, etc.), as eBay has no way to track or verify these payments. When buyers do this, they can’t get refunded.

• Requests to communicate off-platform: When you communicate outside of eBay, eBay can’t monitor or investigate your messages. This makes it easier for scammers to go undetected.

• Manipulative or emotional messages: Scammers may try to pull your heartstrings (e.g., “My kid is in the hospital and I need the money”) or push you to make an urgent purchase (e.g., “I have another interested buyer, so you only have 10 minutes to decide”). These tactics lower your defenses and pressure you into making rash decisions.

• Emails asking for verification of your information: Scammers might send you spam or phishing emails disguised as legitimate messages from eBay. They may ask you to respond with personal info or click links leading to fake eBay sites that harvest your login credentials.

• Super low prices: Scammers attract victims with rock-bottom prices. They know that victims are often willing to take additional steps (such as paying off-platform) in exchange for a great deal.

• Generic or AI product photos: If a scammer doesn’t actually have the product they're selling, they’ll use someone else’s photos or generate pictures with AI. Do a reverse image search on Google to see if they took the photo from another source, and analyze photos for signs of AI.

• No in-person viewing for high-value items: If you’re buying an expensive item like a car or a boat, it’s important to see the product in person before committing. It’s a bad sign if a seller doesn’t allow this.

How eBay scams affect sellers

eBay scams affect sellers when buyers try to obtain products without paying. They can do this in several ways.

A common scam is shipping fraud, where the buyer simply lies about delivery to get a refund. They may claim they received the wrong product, the product arrived damaged, or the product was never delivered at all.

In these cases, sellers lose the product and their money, and they may be investigated for fraud themselves.

Scammers may also purchase products with stolen credit cards, leaving the seller stuck with the chargeback after the card is declared stolen. Or, buyers may request to pay outside the platform, wait for the item to be shipped, and then reverse the charge. Sellers have little protection against these chargeback scams.

The sellers most at risk are those selling high-value items or items that are easily resold, such as electronics, designer clothes, and luxury accessories.

Warning signs for sellers

Sellers should be wary of buyers who show these warning signs of fraud:

• New accounts with little or no feedback: Accounts associated with fraudulent activity get shut down quickly. So, scammers are regularly opening new accounts.

• A history of disputes or returns: Check buyer feedback to see if they have ever disputed payments or returned items.

• Requests to transact off-platform: Scammers can easily reverse off-platform payments and escape with free stuff. eBay offers no protection when you move off its platform.

• Last-minute shipping address changes: eBay’s protections apply when you ship to the address listed in the original order. Last-minute changes may give scammers the right to claim a refund.

• Requests for refunds without returning the item: A scammer may accuse you of being a dishonest seller and ask you to issue a refund before they return the item.

• No signature confirmation upon delivery: If a buyer insists on skipping signature confirmation, they may later claim the package never arrived and request a refund.

• Offers of positive feedback in exchange for a deal: If a buyer offers positive feedback in exchange for a bargain, that’s feedback extortion. This violates eBay’s rules for buyers and sellers. So, if you agree, you may also be held responsible, even if you’re the only one who suffers.

How eBay handles scams

eBay claims to have zero tolerance for fraud on its platform. It relies on both its internal security and customer reports to address and remove scams.

eBay’s internal fraud detection is constantly working to remove scams and keep the platform legit. It uses human oversight and machine learning to analyze user behavior, suspicious listings, and much more.

eBay is able to remove many scams before they do any harm. For the rest, it relies on users to report malicious behavior.

If a listing or user is reported, eBay reviews the report and may decide to remove the listing or suspend the user.

If a transaction has already taken place, eBay typically requires the buyer and seller to try to resolve the issue before the company gets involved.

As long as they follow eBay’s rules, buyers and sellers have strong protections and will likely be reimbursed.

Can you get a refund if scammed?

You can potentially get a refund if you get scammed on eBay.

eBay’s Money Back Guarantee states that buyers can get refunded for 100% of the cost of the product and, in some cases, the original shipping cost.

To be eligible, you must first try to resolve the issue directly with the seller. If this isn’t successful and at least three days have passed, you can contact eBay customer support to request a refund.

You must also follow eBay’s policies to be eligible. For example, you can’t get your money back if you pay for an item with ineligible payment methods, such as gift cards or NFTs.

You can find all of the details in eBay’s Money Back Guarantee policy.

What to do if you get scammed on eBay

If you get scammed on eBay, you may be entitled to a refund under eBay’s protections. Follow these steps to report fraud and get your money back.

1. Gather evidence of fraud

Before reporting the scam, collect all the information you’ll need to make a claim. This includes:

• Order number and item listing.

• Buyer/seller’s username.

• Communications with the buyer/seller (take screenshots if off-platform).

• Tracking numbers and delivery confirmation documents.

• Boxing/unboxing photos or videos.

• Proof of payment.

2. Contact the seller/buyer

eBay usually won’t help you before you reach out to the buyer/seller you suspect of committing fraud.

Often, sellers are happy to resolve the problem and issue a refund. Even something that seems like an obvious scam, like receiving a fake product, may not be the seller’s fault directly.

Buyers may be confused about an item or shipment, but that doesn’t necessarily constitute fraud.

3. Report the scam to eBay

If the buyer/seller does not respond to your messages or refuses to acknowledge your issue, visit the eBay resolution center to report your problem.

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Start a return or Report an item that hasn’t arrived. If your situation is more complex, you may need to contact an agent.

4. Report the listing and/or user

By reporting a listing or user, you help eBay identify and remove fraudsters. Do this immediately if you encounter serious signs of fraud, such as off-platform payment requests, phishing, or feedback extortion.

Sellers can report fraudulent buyers by visiting eBay’s customer service center. Buyers can report sellers on eBay’s support page.

To report a listing that violates eBay’s policies, visit the product listing and click the ? icon in the lower right-hand corner of your screen.

In the Help menu, click Submit report and fill in the form.

5. Request your money back

Buyers are entitled to a refund under eBay’s Money Back Guarantee (as long as they’ve followed the company’s rules).

You can initiate this process only if you’ve already contacted the seller and they haven’t resolved your issue after three business days.

Contact customer support with your evidence of fraud to request a refund.

6. Contact your payment provider

If necessary, you may need to contact PayPal, your bank, or your credit card issuer to dispute a charge. Even if eBay denies your claim, your payment provider may refund your money.

7. Secure your account(s)

If you’ve fallen victim to a phishing scam or clicked unsafe links, you may have given scammers access to your personal information or devices.

Take a moment to change your eBay account password. If you use this password for other accounts, you’ll need to update those passwords, too.

If you’ve clicked unsafe links, you may have unknowingly downloaded malware onto your devices.

Download robust antivirus software like Avast Free Antivirus to perform a scan and ensure your devices are clean. If you detect an issue, Avast can help remove malware and keep you safe from scammers going forward.

How to protect yourself from eBay scams

eBay is a trusted site with strong anti-scam protections. But that doesn’t mean you should trust every buyer and seller on the platform. Scams aren’t uncommon, with about 1 in 4 users having encountered one at some point.

To protect yourself from eBay scams, you need to understand the most common scams and how they target users. Following eBay’s rules for buyers and sellers will also ensure you’re covered in cases of fraud.

If you shop online regularly, it’s a smart idea to install an antivirus tool with built-in scam detection, like Avast Free Antivirus. Avast can alert you to suspicious activity from online shopping pages, such as phishing and unsafe links. It can also warn you if you land on a fake e-store, which are advertised on social media more often than you might think.

Best practices for buyers

Here are the most important ways for buyers to stay safe from scams on eBay:

• Review seller feedback before bidding or buying.

• Never pay or communicate off-platform.

• Avoid listings with prices that are too good to be true.

• Ask questions about the product before purchasing to see if the seller is active and helpful.

• Check the listing carefully to make sure you’re not being misled (e.g., buying the box instead of the actual product).

• Take photos of the shipment and record yourself unboxing it.

• Be wary of phishing emails and messages.

• Never click links sent by sellers, especially if they take you off eBay.

Best practices for sellers

Sellers can avoid scams by following these best practices:

• Only transact on eBay, and never accept unapproved payment methods.

• Require tracked and insured shipping.

• Request shipping with signature confirmation for high-value items.

• Only ship to the address on the order (do not accept last-minute address changes).

• Check buyer feedback and history before selling.

• Take photos of every shipment, including the box, item, and label.

• Set a clear return policy according to eBay’s instructions.

• Issue refunds only after returns have been received and checked.

• Don’t give in to feedback extortion; report it.

Real-life examples of eBay scams

Here are some eBay scams that real buyers and sellers have encountered.

AI image scams

A more recent high-tech buyer scam involves using AI to generate images that make items appear damaged.

The buyer takes a photo of the image and gives it to an AI tool like ChatGPT or Midjourney. They prompt the tool to generate an image of the item, but damaged (e.g., a shirt with a hole in it). Then, they use that image as evidence and request a refund.

This scam is growing on eBay, according to users. And it’s also being used to swindle sellers out of cash on similar sites like Vinted, where buyers are not required to return damaged items — like in this example on LinkedIn.

False tracking number fraud

A Reddit user was recently scammed by a seller after purchasing a camera for $2,000. The seller changed the address on the shipment and provided a false tracking number, so the buyer never received the shipment.

However, because USPS can only confirm the ZIP code and not the complete delivery address, the package appeared to have been delivered, and the buyer’s claim with eBay was rejected.

The buyer had to file a police report and contact the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) repeatedly to get confirmation that the tracking number was false. Eventually, the buyer was refunded, but it was not an easy road.

Too-good-to-be-true graphics cards

Graphics cards are valuable items that are often in high demand. Recently, scammers have been listing them on eBay at attractive prices (around $2,000).

However, a closer look at the listing reveals that the seller is actually selling a photo of the graphics card — not the card itself.

Experts think these scams are designed to trick automated eBay shopping bots into placing bids on low-priced items for resale purposes. But they can just as easily fool excited buyers into clicking “buy now” without fully reading the listing.

Get added protection against online shopping scams

eBay is the world’s largest consumer-to-consumer online auction platform, and it’s generally safe to use. However, eBay scammers continue to cheat uninformed and unprotected buyers and sellers out of their money. To stay safe on eBay, learn the red flags and protect yourself with antivirus tools that alert you to certain scammers’ tricks.

Avast Free Antivirus is designed with powerful features that help safeguard your online shopping experience. With its advanced tools, it helps detect phishing attempts, block fake websites, and secure your transactions to help ensure your personal information stays more private.

Don’t leave your online safety to chance: download Avast Free Antivirus now and shop online with more confidence.