How to Spot a Scam on Vinted
Vinted scams are on the rise in the UK, with 22% of buyers reporting fraud. Here's how to identify fake listings, phishing attempts, and payment scams.
Vinted has quickly become one of the UK's favourite platforms for buying and selling second-hand clothing and accessories. But as its popularity has grown, so have the scams. Which? research found that 22% of Vinted buyers and 11% of Vinted sellers experienced a scam in a two-year period.
The bigger picture
Across all online marketplaces, 37% of UK adults have been targeted by scammers (Experian, 2025). The most common issues include:
- Fake or counterfeit products — 34% of marketplace scam victims
- Requests to pay off-platform — 31%
- Items never arriving after payment — 22%
Common Vinted scams
1. Phishing messages
Scammers send messages through Vinted (or via email/SMS) containing links to fake payment pages. These pages look identical to Vinted's checkout but are designed to steal your card details.
2. Off-platform payment requests
A buyer or seller asks you to complete the transaction outside Vinted — via bank transfer, PayPal Friends & Family, or a link to a fake website. Once you leave Vinted's system, you lose buyer protection.
3. Item not as described
The seller sends a different item than what was listed, or the condition is far worse than advertised. While Vinted has buyer protection, the claims process can be slow.
4. Fake buyer scams (targeting sellers)
A "buyer" claims they've paid but sends a fake Vinted confirmation email. The seller posts the item before realising no real payment was made.
5. Return fraud
A buyer purchases an item, swaps it for a damaged or fake version, and returns the fake for a refund — keeping the genuine item.
Red flags on Vinted
- Messages asking you to pay outside Vinted — this is always a scam
- Links in messages — never click links sent by other users; always use Vinted's built-in checkout
- Brand-new accounts with no reviews — higher risk of fraud
- Prices that are suspiciously low — designer items at car-boot prices should raise alarms
- Pressure to complete quickly — "Buy now before someone else does"
- Requests for personal information — Vinted never asks for your bank details via message
How to stay safe on Vinted
- Always pay through Vinted's checkout — this is the only way to get buyer protection.
- Never click links in messages — go directly to the Vinted app or website.
- Check seller reviews and history — established sellers with positive reviews are safer.
- Document everything — screenshot listings and messages in case you need to dispute.
- Use the "I have an issue" button — if something goes wrong, Vinted's buyer protection can help, but only if you paid through their system.
When bank transfers are involved
Most Vinted transactions go through the app's payment system, which offers buyer protection. But if anyone ever asks you to pay by bank transfer — whether for a Vinted item or anything else — verify who you're paying first.
WhoAmIPaying checks the bank account, company details, and more in under 30 seconds.