Buying on Preloved
Preloved is a long-standing classifieds platform with low platform overhead — and low platform-side fraud protection. Verify before you pay.
Upload a screenshot of the Preloved listing
We attach it to your report so you have a record of what was advertised next to the bank-account check.
Drop, paste, or click to upload
PNG, JPG, or WebP
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
As with most classifieds, the platform takes no responsibility for payment outcomes. Cash in person is safest; if you must transfer, verify the bank account first.
Tips before you transfer
Verify the seller's bank account
Run a CoP check. The account name should match the seller's account name on Preloved — name mismatches are an immediate walk-away.
Inspect in person where possible
For higher-value items, refuse to transfer before seeing what you're buying. The seller's response to that request tells you a lot.
Use PayPal Goods & Services for shipped items
Goods & Services adds buyer protection. Friends & Family bypasses it — never use F&F for a purchase.
Beware listings that reappear after being deleted
Scammers often re-post the same stolen photos under new accounts. A reverse image search catches most.
Common scam patterns
- Listing photos stolen from another platform
- Seller refuses in-person viewing and pushes for shipping + bank transfer
- Recently created account with no review history
- Account name on the transfer doesn't match 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 Preloved 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 Preloved?
- Listing photos stolen from another platform. Seller refuses in-person viewing and pushes for shipping + bank transfer 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 Preloved?
- 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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