HEADS UP!! Direct Messg Scam
Summary: 1940fc alerted the forum about a scam message received via direct message, cautioning others not to click any links. They flagged the message and sought advice on how to remove it. southernmermaid8 suggested some options, but differences in device functionalities were highlighted. Other participants, including roccotacodad54 and fabrics24, shared similar experiences, emphasizing vigilance against scams. Additional discussions focused on reporting procedures and the effectiveness of platform controls, with devon@ebay mentioning ongoing improvements. A suggestion to temporarily disable direct messaging was raised due to the prevalence of scams.
I rcvd a Direct Message yesterday evening..assuming from a member of course........it is nothimg more than a SCAM!!
Has 'click here' directions..nothing to do with the board here or Ebay
I did NOT click anything except to close it.
So be very careful...you will definitley recognize it as a SCAM by what it says will happen if you don`t
If anyone here (Mentors..are you there??) can tell me how to get rid of it.. I`d appreciate it! I want it off my DM list
Not gonna post the ID nor a screen shot of message..be my luck I'd get in trouble
puremichigand
·yesterday at 6:18 PMIsn't it time to remove DM ability from this forum? It is not needed - community members would be able to DM through eBay.
1940fc
OPyesterday at 6:37 PMUnfortunately there are things that cannot be/ or should not be discussed in Ebay message system
For instance IF we were still doing a Secret Santa.. the personal info needed would not be allowed there. That`s just 1 example.
I'm sure this will eventually get straightened out..but it's just a tush pain till it is
puremichigand
·yesterday at 6:45 PMA lot of things right with Secret Santa, but that is so far outside of the core purpose of these boards that they shouldn't be a concern to eBay. I mean what If I was playing a game of chess over DM's with another user - I really wouldn't consider that to be a valid reason have the ability to send DM's.
southernmermaid8
·Sep 9, 2026 at 10:44 PMI’m on an iPad. I’m sure things look different on different devices. Just in case I can help anyone.
At the very top of the message, I see the name of the person who sent it. Right beside that I see 3 tiny dots. If you tap on those dots the option to block sender is there. After you block them the old message will be erased from your list.
1940fc
OPSep 9, 2026 at 10:53 PM · EditedNope. The ONLY things when tapping the 3 dots are: React Reply Flag Mute Mark Unread Copy Text. No Delete or Block anywhere. 😒 So they are all 4 still on my list. But hopefully others can do as you did
southernmermaid8
·Sep 9, 2026 at 10:56 PMDarn mine says
Mute user
Block user
Hide message
Are you on a desktop computer?
1940fc
OPSep 9, 2026 at 10:59 PMyep desktop
1940fc
OPSep 9, 2026 at 11:02 PMStrange. When posting earlier, the latest 3 messages had the Ebay logo (first one did not only a portrait) Now the last DM, the logo has disappeared & is now a portrait..just like the first one.
I think Ebay should close the DMs again till they can get it fixed! mho
dream*peddler
·yesterday at 2:09 AMI'm not receiving scam messages through DM's. I'm receiving them through email messages.
1940fc
OPyesterday at 11:44 AMSorry, dream. Guess there is no way we can avoid this nonsense. 😒
albertabrightalberta
·yesterday at 2:07 PMFlag the message.
@devon@ebay and Ebay are aware of the messages and ebay is working on "the case." He recommended that we "flag" the DM to report so they can get to the bottom of what's going on.
Messages are coming from different users. (I haven't seen a single case in which the same fake member has sent more than one message.)
In this thread, I posted a screenshot of where the "flag" button is. My screenshot is near the bottom:
https://community.ebay.com/forum/selling-57920/topic/i-thought-direct-messaging-was-turned-off-to-prevent-this-scam-479861/
1940fc
OPyesterday at 2:36 PMI Flagged all 4 of my messages from the get go! That is the only option for me and many others
illusions1137
·2 days agoI received 2 similar ones today - one from e_b_a_y_5459 and the other from e_b_a_y_he-21. I didn't click on the link they asked me to click on.
1940fc
OP2 days agoI've gotten another one..#4. This is getting tiresome. I can flag by clicking the dots, but how to block them? How did you block Dana?
southernmermaid8
·2 days agoI have just now received the same message from …. e_b_a_y_h-15
Thanks again for the heads up Sarah!
southernmermaid8
·2 days agoPS….I was able to block them
reallynicestamps
·2 days agoMine is from burnsbri-31
@devon@ebay
I don't want to do anything about this. Should I?
devon@ebay
Hey @reallynicestamps ! I can confirm that the user is suspended and I will advise to block and flag the message you have received from them within the DM function.
adamcartwright
·14 hours ago@devon@ebay
How can we get rid of the list of scammers in our Direct Messages column after we've reported each message? There is no delete option on the messages.
Thanks.
devon@ebay
Hey @adamcartwright ! We are working with Bevy on an implementation of being able to delete conversations from the DM section. We will let you know once it is rolled out.
idealgems1
·1 week ago · EditedI also got an obvious phishing dm. Looks like eBay just threw up their hands and fixed it the easy way...they temporarily eliminated all dms...ha ha ha!
1940fc
OP1 week agoI can handle that.. is nice they are doing something! Sorry you got hit also..apparently was pretty rampant!
eastlaneave
·1 week ago@1940fc
That is a SCAM
Do not click the link.
Please Report as follows
Click ︙ 3 dots
Select Flag, then
Click Report
1940fc
OP1 week agoThanks..I`ll go ahead & flag that one just as I did the other 2
Never fear for me clicking a link
Just wish the dang things would get off my DM list after I flag since they can't be deleted!
1940fc
OP1 week agoWell seems like the woods are full of them
Another DM (supposedly from Ebay) just came in..not even gonna open it I could care less what it says..they are wasting their time. All I know is I wish the powers that be could put a stop to it! Startin to pizzle me off
be924405
·1 week agoThat URL would make me stop immediately too. Even without clicking it, the strange domain is a pretty big giveaway that something isn’t right. I think the safest habit is to avoid using links from unexpected messages and go directly through the eBay site instead.
Good call flagging it rather than trying to verify the message through the link.
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 week agoI got it too. It links to a site which is not ebay. Tells you if you do not respond in 24 hours your account will be closed.
Like Ebay would use the forum messaging to threaten your account.
Bush league crook.
southernmermaid8
·1 week agoWhat in the world? Thanks for the heads up.
1940fc
OP1 week agoJust goes to show..just because it has the Ebay logo (avatar) does not mean it is legit. 😒
As rocotacodad54 said earlier..we need to be extra vigilant here now, & everywhere of course!
Sorry you got an 'invite' also tobaccocardyahoo
flipping_treasures
·1 week agoThanks for the heads-up
fabrics24
·1 week agoOh, I'm REALLY glad I saw this; I was really anxious about it because of how urgent it sounds, so that's a weight off my shoulders knowing it is definitely a scam
roccotacodad54
·1 week agoI just replied "Thank You very much. I spend way too much time and money on eBay and my suspension will be a great help in helping me curb my spending and having more time for other things." LOL.
1940fc
OP1 week ago · EditedYou got one too??? Love your reply!
We never had this problem on the old board. Or I never got any phishing messages there.
Too bad there isn`t a way Ebay can flag them before they hit our inbox here
roccotacodad54
·1 week agoYes it's funny how if I "start a conversation" the mods seem to be all over it but this obvious phishing scam got through.
1940fc
OP1 week agoI appreciate your replies, tacodad. This has had me in a funk all afternoon. LOL I don't feel like a lone duck now. 😊
Sometimes I feel like we just can't win against them I recently had my CC hacked..the CC company actually caught it, thankfully & issued me a new card.
Would you believe THAT card got used before I even received itI It showed up.. envelope intact the.. day after it was used. I still can't figure that one out!
roccotacodad54
·1 week agoWe can win if we keep vigilant. I never trust any unsolicited Email or phone call. Especially if there's some deadline "Hurry before it's too late" involved.
That credit card issue sounds like it might be an inside job. Good thing they caught it before you had to deal with the drama. I hear of people in all professions being caught dirty like no one vets employees anymore or something.
Stay vigilant, stay safe and enjoy life................................
1940fc
OP1 week ago · EditedHELP ASAP!
I just rcvd a Direct Message here supposedly from Ebay.. how do I even know THIS is legit after the other one I got???
Do I click on the requested 'verify' link or not? I hate to click anything!! Here it is ( I left off sender ID):
Subject: [Action Required] Account Verification: 24-Hour Deadline
Our systems have flagged your eBay account for a mandatory security check. This is a standard check conducted in accordance with our platform’s updated protocols.
This procedure is mandatory. Here is a link to the secure verification portal:
ebay.com/verify
Timeline and Status:
You have 24 hours to complete this verification from the time this message was sent. Failure to comply will result in a temporary suspension of your account.
The eBay Security Team
1940fc
OP1 week ago · EditedI believe the 2nd message is also a SCAM I may not be tech savvy but I am NOT stupid. I have flagged it also
southernmermaid8
·1 week agoOh my word. These scams are everywhere aren’t they? I don’t see where to delete messages, but at the very top of the message, where the name is, there are 3 dots. If you click on that you can either block member or hide the message. Hope this helps.
1940fc
OP1 week agoDana, on this particular message, the drop down ONLY shows React Reply Flag Mute Mark Unread Copy Text. No Delete anywhere
All my other messages from you & other legitimate boardies have the Delete in the drop down, menu..but not this one. That's what is not making sense. 😒
1940fc
OP1 week agoOk..dummy that I am sometimes..I found where to go for it.
Not able to delete it ( that wasn't in the drop down this message) but I was able to FLAG it..so hopefully the mod will make it vanish!