The scams to watch for
1. "Can I pay you another way?"
A buyer offers to pay by bank transfer, PayPal or another app, often with a reason like "my card isn't working". If you agree, you lose the platform's protection, and payments can be reversed after you've posted the item. Vinted advises not to leave the platform to send or receive payments.
2. Fake "you've been paid" emails and links
You get an email or message saying you've been paid, with a link to "confirm the sale" or "receive your money". The link leads to a fake page that steals your card or login details. Real payments show up in the app itself, so check there and never follow the link. Genuine Vinted emails come from an address ending @vinted.co.uk, and eBay explains how to spot its fake emails.
3. "Message me on WhatsApp"
Moving the chat off the platform means nothing is recorded where the platform can see it. Keep all messages in the app, so there's a record if you ever need to raise a dispute.
4. "The box was empty" or "it never arrived"
A buyer claims the parcel arrived empty, or never arrived at all. Your best defence is evidence: use tracked postage, and take photos or a short video of the item being packed and sealed.
5. A different item comes back
A buyer returns something similar but not the same: a cheaper version, a different size, or a damaged one. Get Safe Online warns about this on Vinted. Photograph distinctive marks, labels and serial numbers before you post, and check returns carefully before accepting them.
6. "Please send it to a different address"
Only ever post to the address on the order or the platform's label. Sending somewhere else can leave you unprotected if the buyer then says it never arrived.
Protect yourself before every sale
- Describe the item honestly, flaws included, with clear photos.
- Photograph or video the item as you pack it, and photograph the sealed parcel and label.
- Use tracked postage for anything valuable, and keep proof of postage.
- Keep every message and payment inside the app.
- Never share codes sent to your phone or email. No real buyer needs them.
If something goes wrong
- Tell the platform first. Report the buyer or message in the app. Vinted asks for phishing to be reported to [email protected] with screenshots (Vinted's help page).
- Forward scam emails to [email protected], and scam texts to 7726 (GOV.UK).
- If you've lost money, contact your bank straight away. Then report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland (it replaced Action Fraud), or to Police Scotland on 101 if you live in Scotland.
- If you entered a password on a fake page, change it at once, and anywhere else you use the same one. Turn on two-step verification.