Fraud

[bekin32]

Has anyone else having a problem with buyers requesting you to contact them via text or email, instead of using the eBay site to purchase? So far, every offer to buy has been this way for me.

[spark-chaser1]

Sorry that it keeps happening to you. At least you are recognizing it for what it is. Nothing good comes out of taking a transaction " off the grid".

[alcoforever]

Anyone wanting to text you or asking for your paypal address is a scammer.   Guaranteed!  Every time.   Just ignore them.

[caldreamer]

Scammers target new sellers and anyone selling "high value" items.    Don't sell more than you can afford to lose.    If you get scammed...there is no protection.

Also you should be aware that "any" customer can "reverse credit card charges" AFTER they receive your item (keep item and your money).   Unfortunately, there is a risk to selling online.

That being said...most customers are honest but you really have no way of knowing "advance" if someone is going to scam you.    You should search Seller Hub for "scam" so you can familiarize yourself with the different types of scams that are going around.

[southern*sweet*tea]

Most sales on eBay go off just fine, but there are some things you need to be aware of if you are a new seller.

Scammers will try to get you to take the sale off of eBay, or get your personal information so they can send you a fake payment email, hoping you are too new and naive to verify that you have actually been paid. No LEGITIMATE buyer needs that information.

Here are some red flags to watch out for.

1. Buyer asks for your email address, Paypal address
2. Buyer sends you a phone number to text/call him/her
3. Buyer asks you to buy gift cards to go with the order
4. Buyer asks you to send the item to a different address after paying
5. Buyer wants you to send the item overnight/express and will pay you a lot extra to do this
6. Buyers says that they cannot pay through the eBay website and sends you a link to click on so that the payment will go through
7. Buyer offers more for your item than the price you have it listed for

If ANY of the above happen, do not contact the buyer. Block them here: https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/BuyerBlock This will prevent them from buying from you.

If the buyer already purchased, or you accepted an offer, do the following:

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".

After four full days do an unpaid item cancellation. You can do that here: https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/cancelling-transaction?id=4136 Once you do that you can relist.  I used to advise cancelling immediately using "problem with buyer's address"  BUT using this cancellation method frequently may cause issues with your seller account.  You aren't going to be paid, so just wait out the allotted time and do the unpaid cancellation.