Watch out: the most common scams circulating on secondhand platforms like Yaga and Vinted

Secondhand shopping platforms such as Yaga, Vinted, and Facebook Marketplace have grown in popularity, but fraudsters have followed. Scammers use a variety of tricks to lure unsuspecting buyers and sellers into handing over personal data or money. Knowing the most common schemes can help users protect themselves.

Secondhand shopping has never been more popular, and platforms like Yaga, Vinted, and Facebook Marketplace have made it easier than ever to buy and sell pre-owned goods. Unfortunately, where buyers and sellers gather, so do scammers — and the tricks they use are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Fake payment links and phishing

One of the most widespread scams involves fraudulent payment links. A buyer or seller sends a message outside the platform's official chat, urging the other party to complete the transaction through an external link. The page looks convincing — often mimicking a bank or courier website — but its sole purpose is to harvest login credentials or card details.

Another common tactic is the fake shipping notification. A scammer posing as a seller sends a message claiming the package is on its way and asks the buyer to confirm their address or pay a small delivery fee via a suspicious link. Once the victim clicks and enters their information, the fraudster disappears.

Overpayment and refund tricks

The so-called overpayment scam targets sellers. A fraudulent buyer claims to have accidentally sent too much money and asks for a partial refund before the original payment has actually cleared. In reality, the initial transfer either never happened or will later be reversed, leaving the seller out of pocket.

Experts advise users to always conduct transactions within the platform's official payment systems, never click links received via private messages or email, and verify the identity of the other party before sending goods or money. A quick check of the seller's or buyer's profile history and reviews can reveal red flags before it is too late.