How do I report scam buyers

[jalsa70]

I have had multiple people message me with very similar prompts, they always ask if I could include a $400 eBay gift card in the box with my item for their cousins birthday present and that they will pay me the extra money back due to them being in some branch of the military  (Obviously scammers). How can I report these scammers and their accounts before they swindle other buyers who are not aware of what's going on. I have looked repeatedly for a means to do so but cannot find a way to report these horrible people. Any and all feedback/help is appreciated!!

[portkoop-0]

There is no immediate golden key solution.

Rather it's a bit of a process, new sellers have to make some changes so they can be more seasoned in their approach... For example I don't have any issues such as what you speak of, I know what you're talking about but those members don't message me.

My first suggestion...

Start using your account to make some purchases, get your feedback score off to some kind of a start.

[soh.maryl]

The subject of the OP's post here was those scam attempts where the supposed buyer asks the seller to buy a gift card and include it in the package.  

Starting to use his account to make some purchass won't stop this happening.  He just needs to be aware, as he seems to be, that this would be a scam attempt.  

[portkoop-0]

---

@soh.maryl wrote:

The subject of the OP's post here was those scam attempts where the supposed buyer asks the seller to buy a gift card and include it in the package.  

Starting to use his account to make some purchass won't stop this happening.  He just needs to be aware, as he seems to be, that this would be a scam attempt.  

---

We're not here to argue among ourselves, we're here to help the OP so if you have any suggestions to that effect please let us know, thank you.

[fashunu4eeuh]

To report a buyer, you can follow the prompts from the policy page. Scroll down to the blue box. Here is the link:

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/resolving-buyer-issues/reporting-issue-buyer?id=4084

Or you can contact eBay thru their social media, onTwitter or Facebook. 

[itsjustasprain]

---

@portkoop-0 wrote:

---

---

We're not here to argue among ourselves, we're here to help the OP so if you have any suggestions to that effect please let us know, thank you.

---

The question from the OP was how to report them - not how to avoid them. 

Follow the guidance given by fashunu4eeuh. 

The reality is that Ebay is not going to react and delete the scammer accounts all that fast although they claim to be screening for them. Also the messages are often driven by scripts so even if Ebay does act fast there will still be who knows how many sellers who got that same message. Once the scammers accounts get deleted there is nothing to prevent the scammer from setting up new accounts right away. Best approach is just to educate the new sellers on what to look out for. Congrats to the OP for successfully spotting this one.

[southern*sweet*tea]

If people are just messaging you, there is no real way to report them since the report message link was removed years ago.  The only way to officially report is for someone to actually buy, then you can use the report buyer link.

Trying to report these scammers is like trying to hold back the ocean with a broom. If one account gets shut down, they have dozens and dozens more to use. It only takes a few seconds to open a new account.

[luckythewinner]

---

@jalsa70 wrote:

I have had multiple people message me with very similar prompts, they always ask if I could include a $400 eBay gift card in the box with my item for their cousins birthday present and that they will pay me the extra money back due to them being in some branch of the military  (Obviously scammers). How can I report these scammers and their accounts before they swindle other buyers who are not aware of what's going on. I have looked repeatedly for a means to do so but cannot find a way to report these horrible people. Any and all feedback/help is appreciated!!

---

It takes about 30 seconds to set up a new email address and create a new eBay account and message a seller.  

Reporting these accounts will not stop sellers from being swindled, because eBay does not do anything to verify an account holder's identity unless he wants to list items for sale. 

IMHO you might want to direct your efforts toward something more worthwhile than reporting what are essentially anonymous email addresses. 

[kh-gary]

Hi everyone,

If you believe that you or someone you know was scammed into buying eBay Gift Cards, visit our gift card page to contact customer service and find additional information related to gift card scams.

Thank you.