Vinted scams are on the rise: Here is how to spot them
We all love a bargain, but here I want to share Vinted scams to avoid. There is a specific kind of thrill that comes from finding a vintage leather jacket or a barely worn pair of trainers for a fraction of the retail price. Apps like Vinted have made it easier than ever to refresh our wardrobes without spending a fortune. It is fun, sustainable, and feels like a treasure hunt from the comfort of your sofa.
But where there is money changing hands, there are usually people looking to take advantage of it. Scams on second-hand marketplaces are becoming more common. They can happen to anyone, whether you are a new user or someone who has been selling clothes online for years. It is not just about losing twenty pounds on a jumper that never arrives. Some Vinted scams are sophisticated tricks designed to steal your bank details or personal information.
The good news is that you do not need to be a tech expert to stay safe. Most Vinted scams follow the same patterns. Once you know what to look for, they become very easy to spot. This guide will walk you through the most common tricks scammers use and show you exactly how to protect yourself. You can still enjoy the bargain hunt. You just need to know the rules of the game.
Stay on the app
If you only remember one thing from this entire article, make it this. You should never communicate or pay outside of the Vinted app. This is the number one way people lose money with Vinted scams. Vinted has built-in systems to protect both buyers and sellers, but those protections only work if you keep everything within their platform.
Scammers often try to move the conversation to WhatsApp, email, or text. They might say the app is glitching, or that they can offer you a lower price if you pay them directly through PayPal Friends & Family or bank transfer. They might sound very friendly and helpful. Do not fall for it.
When you pay outside the app, you lose your buyer protection, which Vinted scams rely on. If the item never turns up, or if they send you a box of old rags instead of the designer dress you paid for, Vinted cannot help you. The scammer knows this. That is why they are so desperate to get you onto a different platform. If someone asks for your phone number or email address to “complete the sale,” block them immediately.
Common Vinted scams targeting sellers
You might think that buyers are the only ones at risk, but sellers are actually huge targets for scammers. Here is how they try to trick you.
The fake payment email
This one of the Vinted scams is a classic phishing trick. You list an item, and almost immediately, you get a message from a “buyer.” They say they have purchased your item, but they need your email address to send you the payment confirmation or a shipping label.
Once you give them your email, you will receive a message that looks like it is from Vinted. It might use the Vinted logo and fonts. It will say something like “Great news! Your item has sold. Please click here to accept payment.”
If you click the link, it takes you to a fake website that asks for your bank card details to “verify” your account or receive the funds. This is a lie. Vinted never asks for your card details to send you money. The money from a sale goes directly into your Vinted Balance in the app. You never need to click a link in an email to get paid.
The “item not received” trick
Some dishonest buyers will purchase your item through the app legitimately. You send it off, thinking everything is fine. Then, they report to Vinted that the item never arrived or that the box was empty.
To protect yourself from this one of the Vinted scams, always send items using the shipping label provided by Vinted. This updates the tracking automatically. If you are selling something expensive, take photos or a video of yourself packing the item and sealing the box. It might seem like overkill, but it is excellent evidence if a buyer tries to claim you sent them an empty package.
The damaged goods claim
Similar to the trick above, a buyer might receive your item and then claim it is damaged or fake. They might even send Vinted photos of a different, damaged item to prove their case. If Vinted sides with them, they get a refund, and they keep your item.
Again, clear photos are your best defence. Make sure your listing photos show every angle of the item, including any tags or serial numbers. If a buyer makes a false claim, you can show Vinted your original evidence.
Common Vinted scams targeting buyers
Buying second-hand is great, but you need to be alert. Here are the red flags that suggest a listing might not be real.
The too-good-to-be-true price
If you see a brand new pair of expensive headphones or a luxury handbag listed for twenty pounds, pause for a moment. Ask yourself why someone would sell it so cheaply. Scammers often list popular, high-value items at incredibly low prices to lure people in quickly. They want you to buy without thinking.
The ghost postage scam
In this scenario, you buy an item, and the seller marks it as “sent.” They might even upload a tracking number. However, the item never arrives. The tracking number might be fake, or it might be for a completely different parcel going to a different address in your city.
The scammer is hoping you will forget about the order or that you will wait too long to complain. Vinted releases the money to the seller automatically if you do not report an issue within 48 hours. I will cover this crucial time window in a moment.
The copycat listing
Lazy scammers will simply copy the photos and description from a legitimate listing and create their own fake one. If you see the exact same photo used by two different sellers, one of them is lying. You can sometimes check this by doing a reverse image search on Google. If the photo pops up on eBay or another site from a year ago, do not buy the item. An easy way to avoid Vinted scams is to do this.
How to spot a fake profile
You can often spot a scammer just by looking at their profile. They tend to be lazy when setting up their accounts. Here is a checklist of red flags to look for before you buy to avoid Vinted scams.
Strange usernames
Most real people choose a username that makes sense, like “SarahsCloset” or “Dave1985.” Scammers often use automated bots to create accounts, resulting in names that look like a cat walked across a keyboard. If you are buying from “hgfY765_kl,” proceed with caution.
No reviews
Everyone has to start somewhere, so a new account is not always one of the Vinted scams. However, if a profile has zero reviews and is selling five different expensive items at rock-bottom prices, that is a huge warning sign.
No profile picture
A blank profile picture is another sign that the account might be a “burner” account, created just to scam a few people before getting banned.
Weird location settings
Check where the item is located to avoid one of the Vinted scams. Sometimes a seller will say they are in London, but their profile settings or shipping options suggest they are in a completely different country.
Understanding Buyer Protection
Vinted charges a “Buyer Protection fee” on every purchase. You might find it annoying to pay the extra cost, but it is actually a very important safety net. It helps a little in protecting you from Vinted scams.
According to the Vinted Help Centre, this fee covers you if:
- Your item has not arrived.
- Your item arrives damaged.
- The item is significantly not as described.
However, there is a catch. You have to act fast.
The 2-day rule
This is the most critical part of using Vinted safely. Once the tracking shows the item has been delivered, or if the order status changes to “delivered,” you have 2 days to report an issue.
If you do not click the “I have an issue” button within 48 hours, the order is automatically marked as completed. Once the order is completed, the money is released to the seller. At that point, Vinted cannot easily get your money back. Even if you open the box three days later and find a brick inside, it might be too late.
Always open your parcels as soon as you get them. Check the item thoroughly. If anything is wrong, report it immediately in the chat window with the seller. This pauses the transaction and stops the money from being released while Vinted investigates.
What to do if you have fallen victim to Vinted scams
It is a horrible feeling when you realise you have been tricked. Your stomach drops, and you feel foolish. Please remember that professional scammers are very good at what they do. It is not your fault. Here is what you need to do next if you think you have fallen victim to one of the Vinted scams.
1. Report it to Vinted
If the transaction is still active, click “I have an issue” in the chat. This suspends the order. You will need to provide proof, so take photos of what you received (or screenshots of the chat if they are trying to phish you).
If the user has blocked you or disappeared, you can still report them. Go to their profile (if you can find it) or the message thread, click the three dots icon or the “i” icon, and select “Report.”
2. Contact your bank
If you paid for an item and believe you have been a victim of Vinted scams, contact your bank immediately. This is especially urgent if you gave the scammer your card details through a fake link. Your bank can cancel your card to prevent further theft and might be able to help you recover the money.
3. Report to Action Fraud
If you are in the UK, you should report the scam to Action Fraud. This is the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. They collect information that helps police track down scammers.
4. Change your passwords
If you clicked on a strange link or think your account might be compromised, change your Vinted password straight away. If you use the same password for other accounts (like your email or banking app), change those too.
Staying safe online
The internet is a big place, and marketplaces like Vinted are just one small part of it. The skills you learn here apply everywhere. Whether you are on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Depop, the signs are usually the same. Vinted scams are very similar to marketplace scams, all relying on the same base scam.
Trust your gut
Your intuition is a powerful tool. If a deal feels wrong, it probably is. If a seller is being pushy, aggressive, or weirdly desperate for you to buy right now, walk away. There will always be another jacket or another pair of shoes. It is not worth the risk.
Read the descriptions
Scammers sometimes hide the truth in plain sight. They might list a box for a games console rather than the console itself. If you read the description carefully, you might see “Box only” hidden in the text. Read every word before you press buy to help avoid Vinted scams.
Check the photos
Look closely at the images. Do they look like they were taken in a real home? Or do they look like stock photos from a website? If the background changes in every photo (e.g., one photo on a wooden floor, the next on a marble counter), the seller might have stolen the images from different places.
Vinted Scams: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vinted safe to use?
Yes, Vinted is generally safe if you follow the rules. Millions of people buy and sell on the app every day without any problems or encountering Vinted scams. The danger mostly comes when you step outside Vinted’s safety systems, such as paying outside the app.
What is the “Buyer Protection fee” for?
This fee acts as insurance. It ensures that if your item doesn’t arrive, arrives damaged, or isn’t what was described, you can get a refund. It also helps cover the cost of Vinted’s customer support.
A seller wants my phone number for the courier. Should I give it to them?
Be very careful. While some couriers do ask for a phone number, scammers often use this as an excuse to get your number and send you phishing texts. If you are uncomfortable, ask the seller to use their own number or tell them you will only communicate through the Vinted app.
I clicked “Everything is OK” by mistake, but the item is fake. What can I do?
Unfortunately, clicking that button completes the transaction and releases the money to the seller. You can try contacting Vinted support to explain the situation, but it is much harder to get a refund at this stage. This is why it is vital to check your item before clicking that button.
Can I get scammed as a seller?
Yes this is one of the biggest Vinted scams. Buyers can claim an item hasn’t arrived or claim it is damaged to get a refund while keeping your item. Always use tracked shipping and take photos of your items before you send them to protect yourself.
Conclusion
Shopping on Vinted should be fun. It is a great way to save money and give clothes a second life. You do not need to be scared of using the app, but you do need to be smart to avoid Vinted scams. By keeping your payments in the app, carefully checking profiles, and trusting your instincts, you can avoid the vast majority of scams.
Remember the 2-day rule. Remember to inspect your parcels. And most importantly, remember that if something looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Let’s all avoid the Vinted scams and be careful.
