eBay scams: spot the fake buyer or seller
Editorially reviewed · Last updated September 8, 2026
Yes — this is a scam. A fake eBay notice or pressure to bypass the verified transaction process is a scam warning. Payment options vary by category.
Exhibit · Email
Other versions you might get: A fake second-chance offer, a buyer who sends a payment notice and asks you to refund the difference, a seller who wants a wire or gift card, or an email that copies eBay branding but uses a look-alike domain. The mask changes; leaving eBay removes the protections the scammer wants you to lose.
What to do right now
- Open eBay yourself. Type ebay.com or use the app, then check My eBay and your messages. Do not use the link, number, or reply address in the unexpected notice.
- Use eBay’s verified transaction process. Check accepted payment methods for the category through eBay independently. Do not send a separate overpayment refund or use a seller-supplied route that bypasses applicable rules.
- Never share a password or buy gift cards. eBay says it will not ask for your password or personal information by email or phone, and gift cards should only be redeemed on ebay.com.
- Report the listing, account, or spoofed email. Use eBay's Report a Concern flow; forward a spoofed email to spoof@ebay.com if that is the route eBay gives you.
- If you paid or shared information, act quickly. Contact your bank, card issuer, or payment provider and ask about a reversal, change exposed passwords, and report the fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Reduce the risk of another scam
A fake eBay notice often leads to a second contact pretending to process a refund. Use eBay's own account and reporting tools, then contact the payment provider or bank directly. Keep the seller profile, listing, messages, email headers, payment record, and domain.
● Public service · free steps first
Take the free protection steps first
A suspicious message does not tell us how someone found your details. If you shared personal information, start with the official recovery guidance. You can also freeze your credit for free.
- Freeze your credit — free at all three bureausRestricts access to your credit report for new credit applications. It does not protect existing accounts from misuse.
- Report it and get a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.govThe FTC walks you through exactly what to do next, for free.
Decide what protection you need
Start with the free controls above. Compare what a paid service would add only after deciding which problem remains.
No purchase needed. How we use evidence.
Frequently asked
Is an eBay second-chance offer real?
How can I tell if an eBay email is real?
A buyer overpaid and wants a refund. What should I do?
A seller wants payment by wire or gift card. Is that safe?
I paid an eBay scammer. What should I do?
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Sources
- 01Stay safe on eBay— eBay Security Center
- 02Report a Concern— eBay Security Center
- 03eBay scams— California Attorney General
- 04Report fraud to the FTC— Federal Trade Commission
- 05Official security and fraud guidance— ebay.com
Pass it on
Help protect someone else
If this could have fooled you, it can fool someone you know — a parent, a friend, the family group chat. It's safe to forward, and stands on its own as a record for a bank or the police.