Is a buyer asking me to accept a refund or return outside the marketplace a scam?
Almost always yes. Requests to handle refunds off-platform remove all the protections the marketplace offers you as a seller.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Marketplace refund fraud targets sellers on platforms such as eBay, Vinted, Depop, Facebook Marketplace, and Etsy. The buyer claims the item is faulty, then suggests settling the refund directly by bank transfer 'to avoid the platform's slow process'. Once you send money, the buyer either keeps the item and the refund, or never had the item in the first place. A variation involves the buyer sending a counterfeit return (an empty box or a different item) and demanding a refund before you can inspect it. Another version uses fake platform emails claiming you must issue a refund via a payment link. Always process refunds and disputes through the platform's official system, no matter how convincing the buyer's story sounds. This preserves your seller protections and leaves an audit trail.
Common red flags
- Buyer wants to settle outside the platform
- Pressure to refund before the return arrives
- Email that looks like a platform notice but links offsite
- Buyer claims the platform told them to contact you directly
- Request for refund to a different account than the original payment
What to do now
- Direct all refund requests through the platform's official dispute system
- Never transfer money outside the marketplace
- Document everything with screenshots
- If in doubt, escalate to the platform's customer support
Frequently asked questions
What if the platform says I must refund immediately?
Genuine platforms allow you time to review a dispute. Log in to the platform directly — not via a link in the email — to check the real status of any case.