Buying on eBay
eBay's Money Back Guarantee covers most purchases, but private sales, classified ads and off-platform transactions sit outside it.
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We attach it to your report so you have a record of what was advertised next to the bank-account check.
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Next: pick the level of check, then we'll collect the bank details from the seller.
In 2025, over £1.2 billion was stolen by fraudsters in the UK, according to UK Finance. Verify before you pay.
What we check
5 checks across the UK's most-trusted data sources, run in under 30 seconds.
Confirmation of Payee
Bank account matches the payee name
Companies House
Company registered & active
VAT verification
VAT number valid
DVLA Vehicle Check
Make, year, tax & MOT status
Seller Reviews
Reputation on Google, Trustpilot & more
If you've been asked to complete a sale outside eBay — a 'better price' over bank transfer, or a classified-only listing — you've left the protection bubble. Run the bank details before you pay.
Tips before you transfer
Pay through eBay, not around it
The Money Back Guarantee only applies when payment is made on eBay. Anything offered 'cheaper if you pay direct' loses that protection.
Check the seller's feedback in detail
100% feedback on 3 sold items means nothing. Look for established sellers with hundreds of recent transactions in the same category.
Verify the payee account for off-platform sales
If you have to do a bank transfer, run a CoP check first. Account name mismatches are the easiest fraud signal to catch.
Watch for 'second chance offer' scams
Genuine second chance offers come through eBay messages and pay through eBay. Anything via email asking for direct payment is a scam.
Common scam patterns
- Phishing 'second chance offer' emails impersonating eBay
- Seller cancels the eBay listing then asks for a direct bank transfer at a discount
- High-value listings (cars, electronics) shipped from far away with a too-good-to-be-true price
- Fake escrow services suggested by the seller
UK marketplaces compared
Buyer protection and top scam pattern for each of the six UK marketplaces we cover.
| Marketplace | Buyer protection | Off-platform payment | Top scam pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Marketplace | None | Standard — bank transfer / cash | Bank account name mismatch |
| eBay | Money Back Guarantee (on-platform payments) | Common when sellers push direct payment | Fake 'second-chance offer' emails |
| Gumtree | None | Standard | Reused photos from other listings |
| AutoTrader | Trader-listed only (private sales unprotected) | Standard for private sales | Shipping middleman for a car that doesn't exist |
| Checkatrade | Trade vetting; no payment cover | Standard — direct to the trade | Compromised email — invoice bank details swapped |
| Preloved | None | Standard | Recently created seller account, no history |
Frequently asked
- How do I check if a seller on eBay is genuine?
- Run the bank account they've given you through Confirmation of Payee — a mismatch between the account holder name and the seller is the strongest fraud signal you'll get. If they're trading as a company, cross-check the number against Companies House and confirm any VAT number with HMRC. All three checks run in under a minute at whoamipaying?.
- What are the biggest scams on eBay?
- Phishing 'second chance offer' emails impersonating eBay. Seller cancels the eBay listing then asks for a direct bank transfer at a discount These patterns show up on almost every UK marketplace — the platform-specific twist is usually how the seller pressures you off-platform or asks for direct bank transfer.
- Is it safe to pay by bank transfer on eBay?
- Bank transfer offers no built-in buyer protection — once the money's sent it's rarely recoverable, even if fraud is proven later. If you have to use it, verify the payee bank account matches the seller's name first. For higher-value items, use a card or an escrow service so Section 75 / chargeback rights apply.
- What should I do if I've already paid a scammer?
- Contact your bank immediately to attempt a recall on the transfer, then report the fraud to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk) and to the platform. The faster you act, the higher the chance your bank can freeze the funds under the Contingent Reimbursement Model.
- Does whoamipaying? cost anything to try?
- The first check is £2.50 with no account required. Multi-check packs bring the cost down to £1.43 per check, and business accounts get volume rates from around £0.70. There's no subscription — you top up when you need to.
Related reading
Verify before you transfer
Enter the bank details from the invoice and we'll show you what we can verify in seconds. No account needed to pay.
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