I am getting scammed, what is the next step?

[alessbar3908]

I listed a PS5 digital edition with an extra controller and a few hours later I got an offer that I accepted.  I received a message that they wanted to see a better image of the console if I could send it to his phone number. (First red flag). I did send it and then he asks me for my email to verify the Paypal account (second red flag) I gave him my email and I receive a fake email from helpsdesk.confirm@post.com saying that I should ship the item NOW.

I have the buyer sending me messages asking me to send the package but I have not seen any form of payment in either my eBay Sellers dashboard or my Paypal account. What should I do next? It's the second time this happened as I am trying to sell the item to pay medical bills.

[donsdetour]

Is the item still listed??

Never take communication of off eBay.

Put the person on your blocked bidders list also.

[releasethekraken_1]

You're not going to get paid, obviously. The only way to avoid the scammers is to list with Fixed Price WITHOUT the Best Offer option. Make sure you DO use the Immediate Payment Required option.

[mtgraves7984]

What should I do next?

@alessbar3908 

You should STOP taking sales off of eBay. Cancel this sale, since you still have the item... or eBay will come calling for their commission. Good luck in your future sales.

[evry1nositswindy · Accepted solution]

By communicating with this "buyer" and giving out your email address, you are putting your own account in danger.  You can be permanently suspended for this.  Never communicate or send pictures outside of eBay messages.  This "buyer" isn't going to pay.  You will need to open an unpaid item case and wait for it to end before relisting.   

You are a magnet for scammers.  You need to build up some feedback before listing high value items.  So many new sellers will fall for this and send out their item.  No item, no $, no sympathy for their mistake. 

You realized there was a problem, which is good.  But you realized it and responded to it too.  Stop contact now and don't make this mistake again.  Lesson learned without losing money!    

[nkmipgolf]

This scammer will not pay you, wait a few days then cancel the purchase for no payment. Glad you did not fall for it, many do.  scammers pick on new sellers.

[alessbar3908]

Thanks everyone for their responses, I hope nothing happens to my account and I can sell this item in the future.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Do not respond to any more communication with the fraudster. Your next move is to open an Unpaid Item Dispute once 48 hours has passed. Then you will close the dispute in 4 days as there is no chance of the scammer actually remitting. Ebay then credits your Final Value Fees back to your account, and you can relist. The buyer is then given a non-payment strike on their account.

Go into your Buyer Requirements and set up your blocks. You can block those buyers who have two or more unpaid item strikes from purchasing your goods for a year. Below are links on how to file the dispute, and how to set up your BR. Keep in mind that a buyer does not need your phone number or PayPal address to buy an item. Those are red flags that you recognized yet still engaged with the scam. It is also a policy violation to exchange any contact information with prospective buyers. (Once they have made a bona fide purchase, then contact info may be exchanged.) Always insist all communication takes place in eBay Messages.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/setting-buyer-requirements?id=4152

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/resolving-unpaid-items?id=4137

[moxiedrinker]

Just had a similar issue yesterday, An offer on an item but the bidder put a phone number in the message and a request to talk about the item. I told him no way and any question come through messages on eBay!. It was the first time this ever happened to me. And I have been a member for years! Must be the season! Good luck

[m60driver]

You should just close your account and come back after you have done your due diligence about selling on Ebay.  Read this forum for at least a few months to fully understand the inanity of selling a PS5, or any other higher priced item,  with no selling experience.

[kewo9731]

The BIN without offer wouldn’t work either. The customer can buy the item and then immediately asks for refunds saying their children bought the item without their consent. You are still stuck with paying the PP and eBay fees.

[releasethekraken_1]

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@kewo9731 wrote:

The BIN without offer wouldn’t work either. The customer can buy the item and then immediately asks for refunds saying their children bought the item without their consent. You are still stuck with paying the PP and eBay fees.

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The purpose of BIN without offer isn't to avoid jerks, it's to avoid scammers. Scammers aren't going to actually pay for anything.