Buyer asking me for my email address for verification??

[leannheldar0]

Hi, I have a buyer who made an offer for an item I am selling. I accepted the offer. They messaged me their phone number so I could text them because they had a question regarding my item. I texted them. Now they are asking me for my PayPal email address so they said they will "need it for verification of payment on eBay". I told them no, that it doesn't work that way. I assume it's a scam?? I am fairly new to selling on eBay. Please give me your advice. Should I cancel their order and relist the item?

[classic_luxe]

DEFINITELY A SCAM! They prey on new (ish) sellers and will use your email address to send you a phony PayPal receipt of payment. Don't ever give any personal information to "buyers" and you shouldn't have texted them as they now have your phone number. Report this person to eBay.

[slippinjimmy]

It's a scam!

If you provide the information they will probably send you a fake payment notice.

[pink.fish.rule]

Don't cancel - just file an unpaid item dispute when you can.

If you cancel it may make ebay think you took the sale off site.

[hurryagain]

@leannheldar0 

Yes, it is most likely a scam.  I have seen similar things on these boards and they are usually scams.

The "buyer" then sends you a text/email showing you a very official looking PayPal payment but it is not...they try to get the seller convinced that they paid so that you will send out the item before you realize it is a fake PayPal "payment"

...besides...you are not supposed to give out your phone numbers etc...it is a violation of eBay policy and can get your account restricted.  Always do ALL correspondence through eBay messages.

As lo cancelling the sale...it could get you a seller's defect on your account.  Just tell the "buyer" that you are unable to comply and that you will send his item as soon as you get notification from eBay that he has paid...the end.

If he turns out to be a scammer, he will go silent and you can then file a UPI - unpaid item case against the buyer...the case will probably close in your favor and your eBay fees credited to your account.

Good luck & stay safe in selling on line.

[wesk_36]

Also in addition to all the above, if you were to cancel the listing after the scammer sent you their phone number asking you to text them, then ebay may conclude that you made an off-site sale and charge your account a final value fee, that's all it takes.

If you accepted their offer, and they don't pay, file an unpaid buyer case.

In the future, always check for payment by logging into your paypal account to verify a payment and mailing address no matter what an email says, even one that might be from paypal.

Edit, like pink.fish.rule said!

[papermoneyforme]

SCAM

[leannheldar0]

Thank you!

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi @leannheldar0 and welcome! 

As a new seller with low feedback selling expensive items, you got targeted by a scammer. Folks fall for this scam more often than not, sad to say. I am so glad you got the smarts to recognize the red flag and ask questions. 

When i show friends the ropes on eBay selling, i always counsel them to save their higher priced items til they get more experience on the platform. There is a steep learning curve when absorbing all the rules and policies that govern the site. 

To help build up a little bit of feedback, buying items you need or use frequently on eBay can do with this. The idea is to get the scammers off your scent as new blood in the water. We want them to pass you by. 

Best of luck to you in your eBay efforts and please come back to the forum anytime. 

[dtexley3]

Send them the following email address and watch how fast they disappear:  Fraud@fbi.gov