Q&A for How to Avoid Getting Scammed on eBay

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Can you get scammed on ebay as a buyer

Israel Vieira Pereira, PhD
PhD Student in Text & Discourse, Unisul University
Israel Vieira is a Discourse Analyst and a PhD Candidate in Text and Discourse at Unisul's Language Sciences Program, where he studies the effects and characteristics of hoaxes, fake news and conspiracy theories.

Israel Vieira Pereira, PhD

PhD Student in Text & Discourse, Unisul University

Expert Answer

Yes. I suggest you find comments about the seller on eBay and see if they have a positive rating. 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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

When they are selling a puppy and ask for Western Union, is that how they want to be paid?

Community Answer

Yes, Western Union is a money order service. You can access Western Union in stores such as Safeway or Fred Meyer at the customer service desk. As a general rule, though, you should never send or accept money orders, nor should you buy or sell animals on eBay.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 20
Question

I am interested in a car I found on Craigslist. It is nice, low miles and very inexpensive. The seller wants my address and phone number because she is selling it through eBay's Buyers Plan. Is this legit?

Vieno

Community Answer

Total and complete 100% SCAM. Craigslist is intended for face-to-face transactions that are paid with cash, because this is the way to prevent most scams. eBay does not have any "Buyers Plan." Please flag the ad on CL.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 28
Question

I have had an email saying PayPal will pay, once l have sent the item, but l am very wary. What should I do?

Vieno

Community Answer

Do not trust any email telling you that you have been paid. Log into your PayPal account and look at your transaction history. PayPal will tell you when it is safe to ship.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 13
Question

Is it legit if a seller wants me to wire transfer money to eBay?

Vieno

Community Answer

Total and complete 100% SCAM. Wire transfers are prohibited on eBay. If you wire money to a seller, you are giving that person a gift of cash. You will never receive an item and eBay cannot help you.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 22
Question

The seller asked me to send the money to an eBay agent. How safe is this?

Community Answer

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. 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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 18
Question

What if the seller wants you to pay with eBay gift cards?

Community Answer

It's fine if you use the normal eBay checkout process for the item, and enter the redemption code in the "Redeem a Gift Card, certificate, or coupon" field. If they want to go around the normal checkout process somehow, that's shady and you shouldn't do it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 13
Question

What do I do if an eBay user doesn't send an item and disappears?

Community Answer

If you're able to, tell the person you are contacting authorities. Then file a police report, and file a complaint with eBay and PayPal as well.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
Question

Can I get a refund from eBay if I have all the receipts and I didn't get what I ordered?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. 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'.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
Question

I am new to eBay. I received a text from a buyer asking me to reply to their email about their interest in my laptop. They are willing to transfer the money to me and take care of postage from Australia to the US. Does this sound legitimate or not?

Community Answer

No, this is a scam, do not give them any information! 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. They will reverse the transaction and your laptop is gone forever and you'll never get that money back!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
Question

Is buying things off of eBay with eBay gift cards safe? What does it mean if someone just wants to be paid with those?

Community Answer

Gift cards are non-refundable when used. If a seller wants gift cards only, it is probably a scam. Though it's safe if the buyer says it is optional to use gift cards.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What if the buyer has requested a different delivery address than the one stated on their eBay account?

Community Answer

It may be a scam (using the excuse "There was an error in shipping"). To be safe, negotiate that a refund must be made if there is a shipping error.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0