If you’re looking for something online, you can almost certainly find a variation of it on eBay. The trick, however, is to shop safely. Unfortunately, e-commerce fraud, including eBay scams, is among the top 2026 scam trends, and it’s often up to the buyer to avoid getting caught in an expensive trap. As scammers get more creative, keeping your money safe online is increasingly challenging. Fortunately, there are common red flags to watch for to avoid being scammed on eBay. Key Insights The most common eBay scams involve selling fake goods using offline payment processors. The best way to avoid eBay payment scams is to work within the company’s platform, as it offers built-in protection. Report an eBay scammer when you encounter them online to remove them from the website and help keep others safe. How eBay Scams Typically Work eBay fraud works like many online scams. A scammer uses eBay to post a fake listing or a real listing that they have no intention of ever shipping. The customer “buys” the item and then either gets nothing or is asked to pay for it off-site rather than through the eBay platform. These requests typically involve a plea to save money or simplify the purchase. The scammer might also send an invoice or email about payment via an off-site platform or gift cards. Any off-site payment platform like Zelle bypasses eBay's payment protection, which is great for scammers and terrible for their victims. There are several red flags that indicate eBay scams. It’s reasonable to assume that most posts about “warehouse liquidation” or a super low price on “low-mileage” vehicles are simply fraudulent attempts to part you from your money. We talked about more cases of fraudulent Facebook ads in the article about the Amazon mystery box scam. What Does it Look Like to Get Scammed on eBay? If you want to know how to avoid eBay scams, you must know how they operate. Customers frequently complain about getting caught in or narrowly avoiding an eBay scam throughout online forum posts and eBay reviews. A would-be customer (#7057570) fell for a possible scam when they made a purchase through eBay and then realized they “haven’t heard anything from the seller” about the item or a refund. The seller thinks, “I got duped by a seller [who] won’t answer any of my messages.” Report a Scam Other consumer issues on eBay deal with sellers working to convince buyers to pay them off-site. There are some attempts at eBay fraud protection through the official platform, so scammers will attempt to have “customers” pay through other non-protected channels. One Reddit user paused in their purchase to ask for advice on how to avoid getting scammed on eBay. The customer asked others about a seller’s demand to pay $2,000 through Zelle after already paying through the eBay payment system. The customer was rightfully leery of sending funds through Zelle because “I would essentially have paid 2 times (once through eBay and once through Zelle) with no way to get the Zelle money back.” The buyer claims they think they “have figured this scam out” and will hopefully report it and keep their money safe. Source: reddit.com Another user reported an eBay scam directly on PissedConsumer.com. They shared a story about the time they tried to buy a used engine through eBay Motors. After calling the seller and offering to pay through PayPal, the buyer was directed to pay through Zelle. A month later, the buyer was told the seller “misplaced the engine” but was offered “a much better one” if they sent even more money. Later, they also learned that they couldn’t reverse the transaction and that their only option was to file a police report. almost 1month later I called James and asked him what's going on I haven't got the engine yet he said unfortunately something went wrong, they misplaced the engine, but I have a much better one almost New 40,000 thousand miles on it, you need to send me 600.00 dlls more and you'll get it next week and I sent the money 600.00 dlls more, and up until today, from August of last year haven't heard from Jame Simple Tips to Avoid eBay Scams Looking to avoid an eBay scam? Staying safe is simple. Always buy and sell through the eBay platform. If the buyer requests a third-party payment platform or takes the transaction off the site, walk away. It’s most likely a scam. Read the seller’s reviews carefully. Many scammers don’t have long histories of happy customers on eBay. Before you make a purchase, do your best to vet the seller by reading online reviews. Look out for things that are “too good to be true.” If something seems to be an amazing deal – perhaps a “low mileage” vehicle for far, far less than you’d expect to pay – it’s almost certainly a scam. Read descriptions carefully. Sometimes, sellers do things that are unethical but not entirely illegal. Be sure you’re paying for the item, not just a box or a picture of it. Use the Money Back Guarantee. eBay knows there are scammers on the site, and they have avenues to get your money back if you document your case well and act within the required time limit. Stay Safe on eBay Consumer trends tell us that scammers are getting more creative and more prolific. That puts the burden on the seller to watch for and avoid scams on sites like eBay. Not only is it important to know how to spot a scam, but you should also know how to report eBay scams. When you experience something shady, report it on eBay to hopefully block the scammer. You should also share your experience online to describe common scams and help keep others safe. Encountered an eBay scam? Share your story with others by reporting a scam. Report a Scam