I was scammed on eBay — what are my options?
Open a case through eBay's Resolution Center — eBay Money Back Guarantee covers most transactions if the item was not received or was not as described. Escalate to your payment method if eBay does not resolve it.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
eBay offers one of the most established buyer protection programs in e-commerce. The eBay Money Back Guarantee covers most transactions where the buyer pays through eBay's checkout system and the item is not received or is significantly not as described. Coverage requires you to have paid through eBay — if a seller directed you to pay outside the platform, you lose this protection.
To file a claim, go to your eBay purchase history, find the order, and open a case in the Resolution Center. Select 'I didn't receive my item' or 'Item not as described.' eBay gives the seller a few days to respond, then investigates. If the seller cannot prove delivery or the item is confirmed to be significantly different from the listing, eBay will typically refund you in full including shipping.
If eBay closes the case in your favor but the refund is not issued promptly, or if eBay denies the claim unfairly, escalate to your payment method. If you paid by credit card through eBay, you can file a chargeback with your card issuer for non-delivery — mention the eBay case ID in your dispute for context.
Also report the seller's account using eBay's reporting feature and leave factual feedback. Your report helps protect future buyers and may trigger eBay's seller performance review. If the scam involved counterfeit goods or a fraudulent vehicle, additional reporting to the appropriate authorities may be warranted.
Common red flags
- Seller has very low or no feedback for a high-value item
- Listing description is vague or inconsistent with the photos
- Seller asks you to pay via wire transfer, Zelle, or cash outside of eBay's platform
- Item arrives with a tracking number showing delivery to a different address than yours
- Counterfeit version of a branded product arrives
- Seller suddenly closes account after payment but before shipping
What to do now
- Open a case in eBay's Resolution Center within the eligible timeframe
- Choose 'Item Not Received' or 'Item Not as Described'
- If eBay does not resolve it, escalate to your card issuer for a chargeback
- Report the seller's account through eBay's reporting function
- File with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to open a case on eBay?
You must open a claim within 30 days of the latest estimated delivery date (for 'item not received') or within 30 days of receiving the item (for 'item not as described'). Act within these windows — late claims are typically denied.
The seller said the package was delivered but I never got it — what do I do?
If tracking shows delivery but you did not receive the item, contact your carrier to request a delivery confirmation with a signature or GPS location. If the carrier cannot confirm delivery, eBay typically rules in your favor.