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Purchase scams are the most common type of authorised push payment (APP) scam, accounting for almost 120,000 cases and £67 million lost in 2022.
An authorised push payment is a bank transfer that is verified by the account holder, usually to pay for a n online service. The online purchase prompts a pop-up from your bank, asking you to verify that the request before the funds are released. In APP fraud, the account holder is manipulated into authenticating the purchase themself – usually by a scammer using an online auction site or social media marketplace.
Whether you are shopping for a car, a new piece of technology like a MacBook or iPhone, a piece of furniture, or even a holiday rental – be wary of deals that sound too good to be true. Scammers trick victims using fake websites designed to steal banking information, but they also place bogus adverts and items on legitimate sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Gumtree.
Spotting an online fraud can be a challenging task. Fraudsters have lots of tools up their sleeves to trick their victims into parting with their hard-earned money.
If you spot an offer that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always use a reputable store or marketplace with good buyer protection when looking for offers. While you can likely trust a great deal on Amazon, Currys, or Wayfair, you may need to be more careful when using an unfamiliar store.
Similarly, if the seller asks you to use an unsecured payment method, like cash-in-hand, bank transfer, or PayPal Friends and Family, you should be extremely careful. Online auction sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree should offer protected payment methods. These may cost a little bit more due to the fee taken by the platform, but that fee ensures that you are protected. It is worth paying an extra few pounds for the peace of mind of knowing that your purchase is protected.
Avoid any seller that tells you to pay using cryptocurrency. Crypto lacks the security and protection of other payment methods. Where possible, pay for large purchases over £100 using a credit card, as this offers you the greatest level of buyer protection.
Avoid any seller who tries to pressure you into acting quickly. This may be a pop-up on a website telling you that other people are viewing the item, or that there is only one of that product left. While this may be true, it is not worth the risk of falling victim to a con.
Facebook Marketplace can be a great place to find a deal on a second-hand piece of tech or an item of furniture – but it is also home to many grifters and scammers. Unlike a traditional store, there are fewer protections for Facebook Marketplace purchases.
As with all platforms, be wary of any deal that sounds too good to be true – especially if the seller requests a deposit or payment upfront.
Be cautious, especially with pricier items like electronics or bicycles. Spend time inspecting the item and researching common issues before handing over your money. Once cash exchanges hands, refunds for faulty items are much harder to obtain.
Instagram and TikTok are incredibly popular social media platforms with billions of users. Unfortunately, this makes both TikTok and Instagram scams more common.
Both Instagram and TikTok have revolutionised the way many people shop for products. They allow viewers to purchase items directly from the platform without the need for a physical store or even a website.
It can be easy for scammers to set up accounts that look like legitimate sellers or brands. Be wary of fake accounts selling knock-off goods, criminals impersonating real brands and poor-quality products masquerading as high-value items.
eBay is an online marketplace where anybody can buy and sell items with ease, but this also makes it an ideal place for scammers.
Always use secure payment methods when buying on eBay or similar auction sites, and check seller reviews – especially for expensive items.
Watch out for scams like false item shipments, sellers offloading stolen goods, or asking to pay outside eBay to avoid fees.
eBay accepts safe payment options like credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. If paying in cash and meeting in person, you can verify the transaction through eBay’s app once you have confirmed that the item is genuine.
Stay alert, especially with high-value purchases, and be wary if a seller requests payment outside of eBay.
PayPal is a useful tool for securely sending money from one person to another, but it can also be used by criminals to steal money.
One common scenario targets those purchasing an item online, often through platforms like eBay or classified ads, where the seller insists on using PayPal for payment.
After you make the payment, the seller may provide fake tracking information or never ship the item at all. When the victim reaches out to the seller for a refund, they ignore the messages and claim that the payment was not received.
Additionally, the scammer may request payment through PayPal’s Friends and Family option to avoid transaction fees. This option is against PayPal’s terms of service and leaves those sending money without any protection at all.
Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases a person is likely to make. It can be incredibly stressful and require lots of research just deciding which car make and model to buy, even before figuring out where to buy the vehicle.
Scammers often target victims either by claiming to own a vehicle that they do not, or by lying about the condition and quality of the vehicle.
If you are buying a car, you should always inspect the vehicle first before exchanging any money. Ask for a test drive and make sure that the engine and electronics work as they should.
Be wary of any seller who claims that you cannot view or test the vehicle beforehand, especially if they claim that the vehicle is in a different location (city/country) to them.
In a holiday scam, fraudsters use social media posts and fake travel websites to swindle money from unsuspecting victims.
They trick people with fake offers for flights, rentals, and holiday accommodations at unbelievably cheap prices.
Once tricked into making payments, victims find these advertised vacations are a lie, and they have fallen victim to a scam.
Victims may only realise that they have been swindled after travelling and arriving at their holiday destination. This can leave them stranded in a foreign country without anywhere to stay.
In a puppy scam, “sellers” advertise non-existent or poorly treated puppies for sale – often at below market price.
Scammers may create fake listings on classified ad websites, social media platforms or dedicated pet-selling sites like Pets4Homes.
Victims who fall into these traps are often persuaded to send a deposit or to pay up-front. In some cases, the puppy is never received, while other times the puppy is mistreated and in poor health.
Scammers use a range of tactics to target victims in purchase scams. They may:
If you have lost money to a purchase scam, it is possible to recover your money.
You should first report the crime to the police and your bank and provide as many details as possible about the online scam.
Include any platforms used, screenshots or transcripts of the exchanges, screenshots of any images used by the scammer, and details of any transactions made.
If your bank is unwilling to help you get your money back, you can seek help from an experienced fraud recovery firm like CEL Solicitors.
At CEL Solicitors we have helped over 10,000 people to recover money lost to scams. Start your recovery by calling 0808 273 0900 or claiming online.
Online scammers exploit the popularity of cryptocurrencies to steal money
Scammers often pose as banks, the police, government, or other trusted organisations
Fraudsters offer fake investment opportunities with promises of high returns
Criminals dupe victims into paying upfront for goods or services.
Online scammers exploit emotions, tricking victims into sending money
Victims unwittingly authorise payments, deceived by fake sellers in purchase scams
Individuals or businesses pay fake invoices, inadvertently sending funds to the scammer
Scammers offer work-from-home opportunities with up-front costs and withdrawal fees
Our team of recovery experts are on hand to help you get your money back.
