Online Marketplace Scams
How scammers target teen buyers and sellers on Vinted, Depop, and eBay — and what to do if your child falls victim.
What is this?
Online resale platforms such as Vinted, Depop, and eBay are popular with teenagers as a way to make money from unwanted clothing and accessories. Scammers specifically target inexperienced teen sellers using tactics including fake overpayments, phishing messages impersonating platform support, and requests to move transactions off-platform.
How it works
Fraudsters contact sellers with an offer, then introduce a complication — an overpayment requiring a refund, a "mandatory" verification link, or a request to complete the sale via bank transfer. Once money or personal details are handed over, the scammer disappears. Victims often feel embarrassed and may delay reporting, which reduces the chance of recovery.
Warning signs
In your child's behaviour
- • Becoming anxious or secretive about messages from a buyer or seller on a resale app
- • Asking a parent to help them transfer money or provide bank details to complete a sale
- • Mentioning that a buyer has sent more money than expected and asking what to do
On their device
- • Unfamiliar payment app notifications or messages from platform support addresses that look slightly misspelt
- • Browser history showing third-party payment or verification sites linked from a resale platform message
Prevention steps
Always use the platform's own payment system
Never accept bank transfers, PayPal Friends and Family, or cryptocurrency for a resale transaction. Platform-integrated payments offer buyer and seller protection; off-platform payments offer none.
Never move communication off-platform
Scammers routinely ask to move to WhatsApp, Telegram, or email. Staying within the app's messaging system provides a record and the ability to report the other party.
Verify before acting on any payment notification
Log in directly to the platform or payment app to confirm money has genuinely arrived before posting an item. Do not trust screenshots or emails as proof of payment.
What to do if it happens
- 1Gather all evidence immediately — screenshots of messages, payment receipts, and the listing — and report the fraudulent account to the platform through its official reporting tool.
- 2Contact your bank straightaway if any money has been transferred — many banks can attempt to recall payments made via Faster Payments within 24 hours.
- 3Report the incident to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040 to receive a crime reference number and contribute to the national fraud intelligence picture.
Related topics
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
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Last reviewed: 2026-04-19