Problems & fixes · Second-hand and refurbished
How to spot scams when buying second-hand from individuals
Last updated 25 October 2026 · 2 sources listed · Reading time about 3 minutes
Short answer
Common scams include listings with stolen photos, sellers who push you off the platform, requests for payment by transfer, gift cards or crypto, fake courier or escrow websites and deposits for items that do not exist. Meet in safe public places, inspect before paying, use traceable and protected payment methods and walk away from pressure. This is general consumer information, not individual financial advice.
Who this is for: A buyer on classified or peer-to-peer platforms who wants to avoid fake listings, overpayment tricks and payment fraud.
What to evaluate
Listing red flags
Prices far below market, stock photos and vague descriptions often signal a fake.
How to check: Use reverse image search and ask for fresh photos with a note or detail that proves possession.
Pressure and urgency
Scammers rush buyers before they can think.
How to check: Slow the process and walk away if the seller insists on an immediate deposit.
Payment method
Bank transfers, gift cards and crypto are hard to reverse, while platform payment and some card payments offer protection.
How to check: Use the platform's protected payment where available and avoid paying outside it.
Off-platform contact
Moving to private messaging removes the platform's oversight and evidence.
How to check: Keep conversations on the platform until you have inspected the item.
Fake escrow and courier sites
Scammers set up convincing websites claiming to hold funds or arrange delivery.
How to check: Use only the platform's official processes and check web addresses carefully.
Safe meetups and inspection
In-person sales carry risks of theft and counterfeit goods.
How to check: Meet in public, bring a friend, test the item and pay only after satisfied.
Comparison
| Scam | Warning sign | Defence |
|---|---|---|
| Fake listing | Too-cheap price and stolen photos | Inspect in person or use protected payment |
| Fake payment confirmation | Seller sends a screenshot or email proving payment | Verify in your own account before releasing goods |
| Deposit fraud | Request to pay to hold the item | Never pay for items you have not seen |
| Fake courier or escrow | Unfamiliar website to complete payment | Use platform tools only |
Decision worksheet
Rate up to three options against this guide’s own criteria. It runs in your browser and saves only on this device. It is a thinking aid, not a recommendation.
1. Have you checked each criterion?
0 of 6 criteria checked.
2. Compare options (0 = fails or unknown, 3 = meets it well)
| Criterion | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Listing red flags | |||
| Pressure and urgency | |||
| Payment method | |||
| Off-platform contact | |||
| Fake escrow and courier sites | |||
| Safe meetups and inspection | |||
| Total (max 18) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Questions to ask before you commit
- Can I see the item in person or on a live video?
- Does the seller have a history and reviews?
- Is payment protected by the platform or my card provider?
- Why does the seller want to move off-platform?
- Can the seller prove ownership with receipts or serial numbers?
- Is the price realistic?
- Where will we meet and is it public?
- What will I do if the item is not as described?
Typical trade-offs
Pay with protected methods
- Upside
- Dispute rights
- Downside
- Some sellers refuse them
Pay cash in person
- Upside
- Immediate inspection
- Downside
- No record and theft risk
Buy from established shops instead
- Upside
- Lower risk
- Downside
- Higher price
Common mistakes
- Paying a deposit to reserve an item you have not seen.
- Accepting a screenshot of payment instead of checking your own account.
- Following a link sent by a seller to complete the purchase.
- Meeting in a private place at night.
- Ignoring inconsistencies between photos and descriptions.
Related questions
What payment method is safest?
Generally the one that offers dispute rights and is traceable, such as the platform's protected checkout or a credit or debit card used through a regulated provider. Bank transfers between individuals, gift cards, cryptocurrency and money-sending apps for friends offer little recourse. Cash in person works when you can inspect and test the item. Consumer agencies advise avoiding payment methods demanded urgently or outside the platform.
What should I do if I have been scammed?
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately, report the listing to the platform and report to your consumer protection or police authority, keeping screenshots and messages. Speed matters because recovery is more likely soon after payment. Change passwords if you shared details or clicked links. Do not pay recovery agents who contact you unsolicited, as they are often repeat scammers.
How can I verify a seller?
Look at account age, history and reviews, ask for proof of ownership and test the response to specific questions. Be wary of accounts with little history and generic replies. Reverse image searches can show stolen photos. For high-value items, request a video call showing the item and its serial number. Honest sellers rarely mind reasonable checks.
Is it safe to meet a seller at home?
Safety agencies and police often recommend meeting in public places, sometimes designated exchange zones, rather than at homes. Bring someone, tell another person where you are going and arrange meeting during daylight. For heavy items, consider a delivery service from the platform. If the seller refuses a public location for a small item, treat that as a red flag.
Sources and further reading
These pages were reachable when we last checked. They informed definitions and rules referred to above; they do not endorse this guide. Where rules differ by country, check the authority for your location.
- Consumer advice — Federal Trade Commission, retrieved 27 October 2026
- Phishing and scams — National Cyber Security Centre, retrieved 27 October 2026
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