Vinted Scams – What Are They And How To Avoid Them

Vinted has become a very popular platform with people looking to sell their old items to earn a bit of extra cash, and with people looking for great bargains on top brands. However, in recent times, reports of Vinted scams have grown, with some people losing lots of money.

In this in-depth guide, you can find out everything you need to know about scams on Vinted, how they work, what the most common types of fraud are, and what signs to look out for.

We also share a real-life example of a Vinted scam, and explain what you can do to get your money back.

If you’d like any advice while reading this guide, then get in touch. We offer a free helpline, open all day everyday, which you can use to tell us about your case. We can explain your rights and options and if you’d like help recovering your money, we can do that too.

What Are Vinted Scams And How Do They Work?

Vinted is one of the most popular online platforms for buying and selling second-hand fashion, but like any marketplace, it has its fair share of scams. Fraudsters have been known to exploit loopholes in the payment system, impersonate Vinted customer service, or trick users into revealing their personal information.

Scammers often pose as genuine buyers or sellers, using tactics such as:

• Persuading buyers to pay outside of Vinted’s official payment system
• Claiming payments haven’t gone through and requesting additional transfers
• Using fake shipping labels to manipulate tracking details
• Sending phishing emails pretending to be from Vinted support

Unlike well-established platforms like eBay and PayPal, Vinted does not always provide strong buyer and seller protection, making it easier for scammers to operate.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the more common scams on Vinted.

What Are The Most Common Scams On Vinted?

Fraudsters on Vinted use a variety of tactics to exploit both buyers and sellers. Below are the most common scams to watch out for.

Vinted Buyer Scams

Some scammers pretend to be buyers, using fraudulent tactics to obtain goods without paying. The most common buyer scams include:

• Fake Payment Confirmations – Scammers send sellers fake screenshots showing that a payment has been made when it hasn’t.
• Claiming the Item Wasn’t Delivered – Some fraudsters receive the item but report it as missing, forcing Vinted to refund them while the seller loses both money and product.
• Requesting Payment Outside Vinted – Buyers might ask to complete the transaction via PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards, bypassing Vinted’s protections.

Be careful of any of these things, and if you come across anyone asking you to do any of these things, be careful.

Email Scams

Phishing scams are one of the most dangerous threats to Vinted users. Fraudsters sometimes send emails pretending to be from Vinted support, requesting:

• Login details to steal your account
• Banking information under the guise of processing payments
• A small fee to “unlock” your funds

⚠️ Vinted will never ask for personal details via email. Always check the sender’s email address and only log in via the official Vinted website or app. A big warning sign is if the email that reaches out to you isn’t an official Vinted one.

Vinted Scams And Royal Mail

Scammers sometimes exploit Royal Mail tracking services to deceive buyers and sellers. Common scams include:

• Sending an empty package to a random address but using the buyer’s postcode, making it look like the item was delivered.
• Providing a fake Royal Mail tracking number, so the buyer believes the package is on its way.
• Claiming the item was sent with no tracking, making it impossible to verify if it was posted.

To avoid these scams, always use tracked postage and confirm the delivery address with the buyer before sending an item.

Advice When Selling

To avoid scams when selling on Vinted:

✔️ Only accept payments through Vinted’s secure system – Never agree to PayPal, bank transfer, or any external payment.
✔️ Keep proof of postage – Always take photos of the item, tracking number, and receipts as evidence in case of disputes.
✔️ Be cautious of over-friendly buyers – If a buyer insists on completing the transaction outside of Vinted, report them immediately.

As a seller, it’s vital that you secure your position as much as possible. If you ever feel pressured or unsure or something, get in touch with Vinted directly.

Examples Of Real-Life Vinted Scams

In February 2025, the BBC reported on the issues both buyers and sellers are facing with scams on vinted.

Kerry, a mother from Northwich, Cheshire, narrowly prevented her 15-year-old daughter from falling victim to a scam while selling clothes on Vinted. Though her daughter had experience buying on the platform, this was her first time selling. Within 30 minutes of listing an item, she received an offer at full price—an unusual scenario in Vinted’s haggling culture. The scammer sent a link to an external site where she was asked to input her card details. Later, they tried to manipulate her into adding a second account with more money.

Luckily, Kerry overheard her daughter discussing the request and stepped in just in time. She blocked the card, deleted the account, and emphasised the need for online caution. She was shocked to realise that, despite growing up with technology, teenagers are still vulnerable to fraud.

Vinted stated that user safety is a priority, requiring members to be 18 and providing security measures. However, experts stress that parents should have ongoing conversations with teens about internet safety.

A survey by Virgin Media O2 found that 40% of teenagers had clicked on scam links. Online safety organisations recommend regular discussions and reminding teens to verify sources before sharing personal information.

How To Avoid Scams On Vinted

It feels like it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to sty safe and protected when online. Even when on platforms like Vinted, which we trust, things can go awry. To stay safe on Vinted, try following these essential precautions:

✔️ Always use Vinted’s in-app payment system – This provides some level of protection for both buyers and sellers.
✔️ Check seller reviews before making a purchase – If a seller has no reviews or multiple complaints, avoid them.
✔️ Never agree to communicate outside of Vinted – Scammers often move to WhatsApp, email, or social media to avoid detection.
✔️ Verify tracking details – If an item has been posted, check that the tracking number matches the shipping service being used.
✔️ Watch out for deals that seem too good to be true – A £500 designer bag for £5 is almost always a scam.

By following these steps, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to fraudulent buyers and sellers.

What Can I Do If I’ve Lost Money?

If you have been scammed on Vinted, don’t hang about. Take action right away to improve your chances of recovering your money and minimising any potential damage.

1. Report the scam to Vinted – Use the app’s Help Centre to file a dispute and provide any supporting evidence.
2. Contact your bank or payment provider – If you paid via credit or debit card, you may be able to request a chargeback.
3. Report phishing emails to Vinted – If you receive a suspicious email, do not click any links and forward it to Vinted’s support team.
4. File a report with Action Fraud – In the UK, Action Fraud investigates online scams and may take legal action against fraudsters. You can head here for advice on how to report a scam.
5. Warn others – Leave negative feedback on Vinted and share your experience on consumer protection forums to prevent others from falling victim.
6. Get Legal Support – If you’ve had no luck getting your money back, reach out to fraud recovery lawyers and specialists like ourselves. We can advise you as to whether or not we can help you get your money back. Contact us today to learn more

Although recovering money from a scam can be difficult, acting quickly and following the proper procedures increases your chances of success.