eBay seller scams: fake buyers, overpayments and fake payment emails
Quick answer
If you sell online and a buyer sends a check for more than the price, a fake payment notice or a link to set up a PayPal account, it's a scam. Don't deposit the check, don't ship until payment is confirmed in your own account, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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How it works
Scammers target people selling items online. The FTC describes several versions.
- Overpayment: a buyer sends a check for more than the asking price and asks you to deposit it and send back the difference. The check is fake, though it can appear in your balance for a while.
- Fake payment notices: a scammer sends a counterfeit payment confirmation from a payment app, then says they paid twice and asks for a refund, hoping you ship the item before you notice.
- Spoofed PayPal: a buyer insists on paying through PayPal and sends a link to set up an account. The link goes to a site pretending to be PayPal.
This page covers scams aimed at sellers. eBay and PayPal are impersonated; they aren't running these scams.
Red flags
- A check for more than the agreed price
- A request to send back the difference
- A payment notice that arrived by email or text, not in your account
- A link to set up an account to receive payment
- A buyer who insists on one payment method
Example message
I've sent you a payment of more than the asking price by mistake. Please refund the difference to me before shipping. See the confirmation: [link]
What to do
- 1
Don't deposit the check or refund anything
The FTC advises against depositing any check for more than the agreed price.
- 2
Check payment in your own account
Log in to the payment service yourself, not through an email link, and confirm the money is really there before you ship.
- 3
Prefer local cash sales
Selling locally and taking cash in person avoids most of these scams.
- 4
If you sent money or goods
Contact your bank or the payment service at once and tell the marketplace.
- 5
Report it
Report to the marketplace, then to the FTC.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers can see sellers' listings and contact details on marketplaces. Names, phone numbers and addresses like these are easy to buy or look up on people-search sites, and they show up in data breaches. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list you and removes you from them, and alerts you when your details appear in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
More eBay scams
Frequently asked
Why does the overpayment check appear in my account?
The FTC says a fake check can show up in your balance even though it isn't real.
What if the buyer says they paid twice?
Check your own account. A notice in an email or text isn't proof of payment.
Where do I report a fake buyer?
Report it to the marketplace, then to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Sources
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