Online shoppers have been alerted to some of the biggest red flags when buying second-hand products that could mean a scammer is trying to con them out of cash.
Buying pre-loved items has become more of a popular trend in recent years, with a fifth of people buying more clothes second-hand now than they did two years ago according to research from eBay. Whether shoppers are looking to save money, help the planet, or have been inspired by the likes of the collaboration between second-hand shopping giant eBay and ITV's Love Island, giving old items a second, third or fourth life is all the rage.
Unfortunately, scammers have taken advantage of the second-hand boom by targeting shoppers browsing resale websites. Just earlier this month man lost a staggering £1,100 in a "devastating" Facebook Marketplace scam when trying to purchase an iPhone from an illegitimate seller, as reported by The Express.
READ MORE: Households warned not to respond to 'toxic mould' scam after victims lose thousands
Recent data by Statista revealed that 35% of all scams carried out worldwide in 2021 were online shopping scams, meaning that shoppers need to be vigilant and take extra steps when buying a product to make sure they don't fall victim to fraudsters. Experts at Scams.info have issued their five top tips to help online shoppers spot a scam:
Check the seller's profile
If something catches your eye online, the first thing you should do is head to the seller's profile to scout for anything which looks suspicious. A seller will ideally have some reviews on their profile so you can read up on the experience of other shoppers and spot any red flags in negative reviews.
But on the other hand, be vigilant when it comes to positive reviews too - if there's a host of glowing reviews which all sound the same, this could indicate that they are fake. Ensure you inspect the seller's profile carefully - and if you see anything that looks suspicious, don't take the risk of buying from them.
Beware very low prices
Bargain prices are sure to catch anyone's eye when online shopping - but if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Extremely low prices are a sure-fire warning sign that scammers could be afoot, and it's worth doing your research by browsing other websites to check the average price of the product you're interested in.
Ask for current photos
Whenever you're looking to buy a pre-loved item online, Scams.info says that you should always demand a recent photo of it from the seller to prove that they have the product in question. You could ask them to send a picture of the item next to a piece of paper with your name on it to give you peace of mind - and if they refuse, that's a definite sign that you shouldn't go ahead with the purchase.
Pay attention to the payment method
Making payments through a secure website itself is a crucial step in making sure you stay safe when shopping online, as these sites - such as Vinted, eBay and Depop - will have protections in place should you not receive the item you asked for. If a seller is pressuring you into paying through a bank transfer instead, particularly before the item has been sent or received, they could be trying to lure you away from the site because they are a scammer.
Be careful if you're a seller too
People selling their pre-loved products online also need to be careful when it comes to falling victim to scams. Some fraudsters may pay more than the set price for your product, and then claim they've made a mistake and ask you for a partial refund.
However, you might issue the refund only to discover that the so-called buyer has cancelled their original payment, leaving you out of pocket, Scams.info warns. If you're the seller, make sure you decline any overpayments and get in touch with shoppers to ask for the correct amount.
READ NEXT:
Martin Lewis' MSE urges Asda and Lidl shoppers to act now to help slash food bill
Virgin Money, TSB and Nationwide bank account holders warned over online security risk
Martin Lewis says DWP error means 100,000 people can claim £6,000 cash back
Warning as cruel scammers use fake appeals to profit from Turkey-Syria earthquakes
Ikea shoppers praise spare parts scheme for saving droopy drawers
