Second-hand shopping is booming, and Vinted has become the go-to platform for grabbing bargains without leaving the sofa. The problem is that while buyers are scrolling fast and feeling smug about saving money, scammers are doing exactly the same thing – just from the other side.
Personally, I am deep into my Vinted era and find it more convenient to buy on the Vinted app compared to facebook market place but let’s take a look at vinted scams for buyers and vinted scams for sellers, so whichever side you’re on, you know to stay safe and not get ripped off.
Retail expert Simon Pretswell* says most Vinted scams rely on impulse. Fast-moving listings, “last one available” vibes and prices that feel just cheap enough to be believable are all part of the setup.
“When people rush, they miss small red flags,” he explains. “Scammers depend on buyers not slowing down or checking details properly.”
His advice is boring but effective. Stick to the platform, check sellers properly, and if something feels off, walk away.
There will always be another item. Your money, once it’s gone, is a lot harder to replace.
Vinted Scams to Look Out for as a Buyer
Here are the Vinted scams he says catch buyers out most often – and how to avoid being the next horror story shared on Vinted scams Reddit.
Being asked to pay outside the app
This is the classic Vinted scam, and it still works because it sounds harmless. A seller offers a better price if the buyer sends payment by bank transfer or PayPal instead of using Vinted’s system.
That is the exact moment things go wrong.
“The second you pay outside the platform, you lose all buyer protection,” Pretswell says. “If the item never arrives, arrives damaged, or turns out to be fake, there’s often no realistic way to get your money back.”
If a seller asks you to move the conversation to email, requests your address early, or suggests a payment workaround, treat it as a scam and move on.
This applies whether you’re buying a jumper or something high-value like electronics. Vinted scams asking for email are especially common because they’re designed to pull you away from the safety of the app.
Prices that are “too good to be true”
Yes, real bargains exist. No, that £600 designer item listed for £40 is not one of them.
“If something is wildly underpriced, that’s when you need to slow down, not rush,” Pretswell says. “Scammers rely on excitement. They want buyers to think someone else will grab it first.”
Before buying, check what similar items actually sell for, not just the prices sellers are hoping for. This scam is especially common with branded clothing, trainers, tech and hype items.
Vinted PS5 scams, for example, follow this exact pattern – cheap price, urgency, and a seller pushing for a quick payment.
If the deal makes your heart race, that’s usually your cue to stop.
Empty packages and wrong items
Another common scam involves parcels that technically arrive, but don’t contain what you paid for. Some sellers send an empty package or a worthless item, relying on delivery tracking to show the item was received.
“On paper, everything looks legitimate,” Pretswell explains. “That’s what makes it so frustrating for buyers.”
For expensive items, he recommends filming yourself opening the package and taking photos of the contents. It sounds excessive, but it can make a huge difference if you’re scammed on Vinted and trying to get money back through a dispute.
Proof matters. Tracking alone isn’t always enough.
Hacked seller accounts
Finding a trusted seller feels reassuring. You’ve bought from them before, everything went smoothly, and their account has solid reviews. Unfortunately, that’s exactly why scammers target established accounts.
“If a familiar seller suddenly lists loads of high-value items at suspicious prices, pay attention,” Pretswell warns. “The account is real, but the person using it may not be.”
Changes in tone, rushed messages, or odd payment requests are all red flags. This is one reason Vinted buyer scams can be so convincing. People trust the account and ignore their instincts.
If something feels different, step back and double-check before you buy.
Fake designer and branded items
Counterfeit items are everywhere online, and Vinted is no exception. Bags, trainers, beauty products and tech accessories are among the most common.
“Scammers know buyers actively search for branded items,” Pretswell says. “So they flood the platform with convincing-looking fakes.”
Stock images, vague descriptions and reluctance to share extra photos are all warning signs. Asking for close-ups of labels, stitching and tags can help, as small details are often where fake items slip up.
If a seller avoids questions or gets defensive, that’s usually your answer.
Vinted Football Shirt Scams
Football shirts are one of the most commonly faked items Pretswell sees, especially limited editions and older kits. Demand is high, prices can be emotional rather than logical, and buyers often rush.
“If something is expensive or sentimental, take extra care,” he advises. “Check tags, stitching and sizing labels, and ask for additional photos.”
For collectible items, specialist retailers or verified sellers are always safer than random listings. Saving money isn’t worth ending up with a fake.
How Not To Get Scammed on Vinted as a Seller
Vinted scams don’t just affect buyers. Sellers get caught out too, often because they assume the risk only runs one way. In reality, Vinted scams for sellers are just as common, especially when it comes to dishonest buyers gaming the system.
One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is agreeing to take conversations or payments outside the platform. If a buyer asks to move to email, requests a different payment method, or suggests completing the sale privately, it’s rarely for a good reason. Keeping everything inside Vinted protects you if something goes wrong and ensures there’s a clear record of the transaction.
Proof is everything when you’re sending an item. Always photograph the item clearly before posting, including close-ups of condition, labels and any existing flaws. When packing, it’s smart to take a quick photo or video showing the item going into the package, especially for higher-value items. If a buyer later claims the wrong item arrived or says the parcel was empty, this evidence can make all the difference.
Postage choices matter too. Using tracked delivery isn’t just about peace of mind, it’s your safety net. Tracking shows the item was sent and delivered to the correct address, which helps protect sellers from false claims. Cutting corners on shipping to save a little money can end up costing a lot more.
Be cautious with buyers who rush, pressure you, or ask odd questions that don’t quite make sense. Some Vinted buyer scams involve people claiming issues after delivery in the hope of getting a refund while keeping the item. If something feels off during the conversation, it’s okay to cancel the sale. You’re not obliged to complete a transaction that makes you uncomfortable.
Finally, trust your instincts. If a buyer’s behavior feels unusual, defensive, or inconsistent, it’s often a sign to step back. There will always be another buyer. Protecting your account, your items and your money is more important than making a quick sale.
Scammed on Vinted? How to Get Your Money Back
If you’ve been scammed on Vinted, the first thing to know is that acting quickly really matters. As soon as you realise there’s a problem, don’t complete the order or mark it as received. Once a transaction is marked as complete, it becomes much harder to recover your money.
Start by opening a dispute directly through Vinted. Use the in-app reporting tools to explain exactly what went wrong, whether the item never arrived, arrived damaged, was the wrong item, or turned out to be fake. This creates an official record and keeps everything within the platform, which is essential if you want any chance of a refund.
Evidence is key. Upload screenshots of messages, photos of the item you received, packaging, labels, and tracking information. If you filmed yourself opening the parcel, this can be especially useful in cases where the package was empty or the contents were wrong. The clearer your information, the stronger your case.
If payment was made through Vinted’s system, buyer protection should apply, and the platform can step in while the dispute is reviewed. This is exactly why paying outside the app is so risky. Once money is sent by bank transfer or external payment, Vinted usually can’t help recover it.
If you believe fraud is involved, it’s also worth reporting the issue to your bank or card provider, particularly if you’re worried about card details or unauthorised transactions. While Vinted handles most cases internally, banks can sometimes offer additional support depending on how the payment was made.
Finally, report the seller’s account so Vinted can investigate and prevent the same scam from happening to other buyers. Even if you don’t get an immediate resolution, reporting suspicious activity helps clean up the platform and protects others from being caught out the same way.
Being scammed is frustrating and stressful, but taking fast, documented action gives you the best possible chance of getting your money back.
This advice also goes the same for sellers. If a buyer has reported an issue and you believe that they are being dishonest, or that the issue was not your fault then do not click to agree to offer them a refund. Once that’s done, your chance of getting your money back is pretty much over.
I had a buyer receive the wrong item, due to a mix up with the inpost locker. I approved her refund thinking I could then sort it out with Vinted and get my own refund too since it was inpost’s fault not mine, but as I had already refunded her, I ended up out of pocket.
How to Stay Safe on Vinted
Vinted can be a great platform, but only if you use it properly. Stick to in-app payment, check seller reviews carefully, and don’t let urgency push you into bad decisions. If you spot something suspicious, report it. Knowing how to report a scammer on Vinted helps protect other buyers too.
Scams aren’t always obvious, and anyone can get caught out. The difference between a good deal and a bad one is usually time. Slow down, trust your instincts, and remember that no item is worth losing your money over.
If this post helps you avoid a scam, share it so everyone knows what vinted scams to look out for. Someone else’s overflowing cart might thank you later
*Insights from Simon Preswell CEO of football shirt retailer UKSoccerShop
More Vinted Tips
My friend Emma is your go to person for all things Vinted. I can give her the credit of getting me addicted to this app! Here are a few tips from her site
but seriously just go on her site and browse around, if you have a Vinted question there’s a strong chance she already answered it!
