Filing a Complaint Against eBay

[julli_9813]

Hi eBay community,

Is there an email address or phone number that I can message to file a complaint against eBay?

I am new to the selling world of eBay and, already, majority of the items that I have sold (awaiting payment) have been buyer scams asking me to contact them through phone or gmail. What recourse do these scam buyers have beyond me “reporting the buyer.” I was hoping this platform would be less inundated with scammers but I guess I was wrong.

[soh.maryl]

So did you fall for these scams? 

Why would this involve a complaint against eBay?

When you recognize a scam attempt, you do not follow through, simple as that.

[albertabrightalberta]

@julli_9813 

Just always keep in mind that scammers look for naive newbies who they can fool. Be aware and if any offers or "payment" notices seem off, come to the boards and ask. 

The fact that you recognized problems before falling victim is a good thing.

[stainlessenginecovers]

Yes, you were wrong to hope that scammers skip this platform and only exist on other platforms. There are Millions of them and they are EVERYWHERE. They try to scam you by phone, by text, by email, by platforms. They try to get to your Insurance Company, your bank, your utilities. 

They are Everywhere. 

Know how to avoid them.

[bonjourami]

As a newbie, you are a scam magnet.Ebay is a self serve site..learn to protect yourself,using a fixed price listing, with immediate payment required weeds out a lot of these thieves. Then if you are not paid, your listing wont close. That you want file a complaint against Ebay is kind of funny.

[julli_9813]

Depends on what you mean by “did I fall for these scams.” 

I’ve accepted their offers, which I assumed to be legitimate, then they messaged me to contact them through private email or phone number. So yes, I would say I did fall for it because once I accepted the offer the listing is removed from the search.

As stated above, I recognise this a scam and will not follow through with contacting them off eBay channels. 

The reason I would like to file complaint against eBay is to express my frustration of the lack of quality control of their buyers or similar. So far all my offers have been scams and being new to this platform it hasn’t left a good impression. 

I can only say for certain that I’m thankful for people like you and others on this board for sharing their stories on how to recognise the scams and avoid actually losing money to these scammers.

[dhaga]

What do you think ebay could do to prevent scammer buyers? Would you be willing to pay for a service that only allows fully "vetted" buyers?

[southern*sweet*tea]

Report the buyer https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/resolving-buyer-issues/reporting-issue-buyer?id=4084 Use the reason "asking to complete a sale off eBay".

Add the buyer to your blocked bidder list: https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/BuyerBlock Ignore any further messages from them.

Cancel the sale immediately using "problem with buyer's address". You don't have to let the unpaid item process play out. Scammers don't care if they get unpaid strikes, they just move to another account when one gets trashed. You can cancel here: https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/cancelling-transaction?id=4136

Please tell me how this or any site for that matter can have "quality control" over buyers?  These scammers are overseas using VPNs and when one account goes down there are thousands more to take it's place.  What about guest buyers who don't even need an account? 

[wrong66]

How would eBay possibly know who is a scammer, and who isn't. That level of "quality control" simply doesn't exist. Forget about filing a complaint. It will fall on deaf ears, if you can even find someone to complain to.

[julli_9813]

I generally do agree with your sentiment that scammers and untruthful people are everywhere. 

I may have been naive to believe that eBay would have better quality control or verification to dissuade scammers from joining. However, live and learn. 

[maxine*j]

It's frustrating when you just start out and realize you're being targeted by scammers because they think they can take advantage of your inexperience.  In your case, you're too smart for them!

But think about it and you will see that there is nothing eBay can do to stop scammers and conmen altogether, and they do a better job than some sites, at that.

These people operate anonymously, and they reach out from all over the world.  They use throw-away or stolen eBay, email, and phone accounts, and use masked IP addresses or "internet cafe" WiFi.   They may operate from, or buy and sell info on, the dark web.  They can whip out a bogus but legitimate-looking eBay or PayPal document in nothing flat.  They know their game very well. 

For whatever comfort it is to you, as you become an established seller, most of the scammers will begin to lose interest in you.

[stainlessenginecovers]

They do (ebay has better quality control against scammers)

There's only 10,000 here. There are 100,000,000 everywhere else. 

[julli_9813]

personally, I would. Do you know of such a service?

[terrycece62]

If a seller 'requests, you to private message/text or phone and YES THAT IS A SCAMMER  

You can report them please do

[dhaga]

I do not and I would think if there was a large enough market for such a service at least one would exist for ebay sellers. Many live auction houses require buyers to file payment information and proof of funds before registering. So I would imagine you could sell your items through one of them if that is something you want.