Purchase Scams
If you've lost money in a purchase scam, we can help you get it back
Online shopping and digital transactions have made buying goods and services easier than ever. However, this convenience also comes with risks, as fraudsters continuously develop new ways to scam unsuspecting buyers. Purchase scams are among the most common types of fraud, tricking people into paying for items that either never arrive or are vastly different from what was promised.
This guide will help you understand how purchase scams work, the different types of scams to watch out for, and what you can do to protect yourself. If you’ve already fallen victim to a purchase scam, we’ll also outline the steps to report it and recover your money and how our service can help you get your money back.
What Are Purchase Scams?
A purchase scam is a type of fraud where a buyer is tricked into purchasing goods or services that don’t exist, are fake, or are not as advertised. These scams typically occur online, where scammers take advantage of digital marketplaces, classified ads, and payment platforms to deceive victims.
The two most common types of purchase scams are:
- Fake Sellers – A scammer creates a fake listing for a popular product, often at an unusually low price. Once the victim pays, the seller disappears without delivering the item.
- Fake Buyers – In some cases, scammers pose as buyers, tricking sellers into shipping items before payment is secured or using fraudulent payment methods.
Purchase scams are particularly prevalent on auction sites, social media marketplaces, and classified ad platforms like eBay, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace.
How Capital Refund House Can Help
What Are The Most Common Types Of Purchase Scam?
Fraudsters use a variety of tactics to deceive buyers, depending on the type of purchase.
Some scams are designed to steal money outright, while others involve counterfeit goods, identity theft, or phishing attempts.
The most common purchase scams include:
- Fake property sales and rental listings
- Fraudulent vehicle sales
- Sales of products, like mobile phones and cars
- PayPal disputes used for chargeback fraud
- Scams on platforms like eBay, Gumtree, Vinted and Facebook Marketplace
- Gift card fraud, where victims are tricked into making untraceable payments
- Insurance policies, like life insurance
Understanding how each scam works is key to avoiding financial loss. Let’s take a detailed look at each one.
Home and Land Purchase Scams
Property scams are particularly dangerous because they involve high-value transactions. Scammers pose as landlords, estate agents, or property developers, tricking buyers into paying large sums of money for homes or land that don’t exist or aren’t for sale.
Common home purchase scams include:
- Fake property listings – Fraudsters advertise homes for sale or rent, demanding deposits before disappearing.
- Title fraud – Criminals steal the identity of legitimate homeowners and attempt to sell properties without their knowledge.
- Investment fraud – Buyers are encouraged to invest in overseas developments, social housing, or off-plan properties that never get built.
Always verify ownership details through official property registers before making payments. If you’ve lost money in a land purchase scam, get in touch with us today for free advice. We may be able to help get your money back.
Car Purchase Scams
Vehicle scams are rampant in online marketplaces. Scammers list fake cars at bargain prices, convincing buyers to send deposits before vanishing.
Some of the warning signs of car purchase scams include:
- The price is significantly lower than market value.
- The seller refuses to meet in person and insists on a bank transfer.
- The car does not exist or has a cloned identity (fake registration details).
- The seller offers to deliver the car after payment, which never happens.
To stay safe, always inspect a car in person, check its HPI report, and only pay through secure methods. You can head here to learn more about car sale scams and fraud, and if you would like advice on a case, get in touch with us for free today.
Paypal Purchase Scams
While PayPal offers buyer protection, scammers still find ways to exploit loopholes in its system. Some common PayPal scams include:
- “Friends and Family” payments – Fraudsters ask for payments via Friends and Family, which voids buyer protection.
- Fake PayPal emails – Victims receive counterfeit emails claiming payment has been made when it hasn’t.
- Chargeback fraud – A scammer makes a purchase, then falsely disputes the transaction, causing PayPal to refund their money while the seller loses both the item and payment.
To avoid PayPal scams, always verify transactions through your PayPal account and avoid making payments outside the platform’s official system.
If you’ve lost money in a PayPal purchase scam, get in touch with us today for free advice.
eBay and Gumtree Purchase Scams
eBay and Gumtree are popular targets for scammers, especially for electronics, luxury goods, and vehicles. Fraudsters may sell fake or stolen items, or use tactics to trick sellers into losing money.
Common scams on eBay and Gumtree can include:
- Fake payment confirmations – Buyers send counterfeit proof of payment before disappearing.
- Overpayment scams – A scammer “accidentally” overpays and asks for a refund before the initial payment bounces.
- Shipping fraud – Victims pay for an item, but the seller provides a fake tracking number.
Always verify buyers and sellers, check reviews, and use platform-approved payment methods.
Gift Card Scams
Gift cards are a favourite payment method for scammers because they are difficult to trace and refund. Victims are often told to purchase gift cards and send the codes as payment for goods, services, or debt clearance.
Some gift card scams to watch out for include:
- Fake customer service calls – Scammers impersonate Amazon, Apple, or other companies, asking for gift cards as payment.
- Romance scams – Fraudsters convince victims to send gift cards instead of money. You can head here to learn more about romance scams.
- Online purchases – Buyers are asked to pay with gift cards instead of cash, only for the seller to disappear.
Never send gift card details as payment for goods or services—legitimate businesses will never request this method.
What To Do If You Get Scammed
If you’ve fallen victim to a purchase scam, act quickly to limit your losses and report the fraud. Here are some steps you can take to do that:
- Contact your bank – If you paid via bank transfer or card, report the fraud and request a chargeback. This applies to all banks, from Lloyd’s to Monzo.
- Report the scam to Action Fraud – The UK’s official fraud reporting centre can investigate further. You can head here to learn how to report fraud.
- Notify the platform – eBay, Gumtree, and PayPal have fraud protection policies that may help recover funds.
- Secure your accounts – If you’ve shared personal details, update your passwords and enable two-factor authentication to gain full control of your account.
Get Your Money Back
Recovering money from a purchase scam depends on how you paid. Credit cards offer the best protection, while bank transfers and gift cards are harder to recover. Here at Capital Refund House, we can help with cases of purchase fraud and can help you get your money back.
If you’ve been scammed, don’t give up—seek professional help, report the fraud, and explore chargeback options to recover your funds. 🚨 Just click below to speak with us today