How to Spot Buy and Switch Scams on eBay

Buy and switch scams on eBay happen regularly. Victims of this scam often find themselves out of money and without products. If you're an eBay seller trying to run a profitable business, read the following tips to learn how to spot the buy and switch scam.

Instructions

1. Sell your item to the highest bidder. Ship the item to the scammer's address.

2. Receive communication from the buyer. The scammer will claim that she received a defective item or that the item was damaged during shipping.

3. Endure threats from the scammer. He'll threaten to leave negative feedback if you don't ship a replacement item or give a refund. The scammer knows that eBay sellers depend on positive feedback to make business and that negative feedback results in fewer sales and a disruption in business. He may also attempt to get eBay involved by reporting that you misrepresented the item.

4. Request that the buyer send you the damaged item. Inspect the item when you receive it. Note subtle differences between the item you sent and the one you received. Suspect that the buyer may have switched the item with a different product.

5. Resist giving in to the scammer's demands. Unless you're sure the product you received is the one you shipped, you risk being cheated out of another item or the cost of one while the scammer has the original product in her possession.

Tips & Warnings

• Sellers that are just starting out with high-end merchandise may be most susceptible to this scam.