With over 120 million users worldwide, Vinted has quickly become one of the most popular platforms for buying and selling secondhand fashion. Its clean interface, no-seller-fee model, and focus on sustainability make it a favourite for independent sellers and casual closet clearers alike.

But as Vinted grows, so do the scams around it.

Most buyers on Vinted are genuine. They ask normal questions, pay through the app and follow the usual delivery process. But fake buyers do exist, and they often target sellers who are new, in a rush to sell, or unsure how Vinted’s payment and shipping systems work.

Even Vinted advises users to avoid moving conversations or payments outside the platform, and to report suspicious messages or phishing attempts directly through the app. You can read Vinted’s own safety guidance here.

The good news is that most Vinted buyer scams follow the same patterns. Once you know what to look for, they become much easier to spot. Below, we’ll go through the biggest red flags of fake buyers on Vinted, what these scams usually look like, and how to protect yourself before you ship an item.

How to Spot a Fake Buyer on Vinted

A fake buyer on Vinted will usually try to do one of four things:

• move the conversation away from Vinted
• make you ship before a real order is confirmed
• ask you to change the normal payment or delivery process
• create a dispute after receiving the item

A single red flag does not always mean someone is trying to scam you. For example, a new buyer with no reviews might simply be new to the app. But if several warning signs appear at once, it’s worth slowing down before you accept the sale.

1. They Ask to Move the Conversation Outside Vinted

One of the biggest red flags is when a buyer asks you to continue the conversation on WhatsApp, email, Instagram or text message. These scams are increasing, with a 39% rise reported in the UK in 2024.

They may say something like: “I don’t use Vinted messages often, can we talk on WhatsApp?” or “Please email me, I want to buy this today.”

This might sound harmless, especially if the buyer seems friendly. But moving the conversation outside the app removes the record of what was said. If something goes wrong later, Vinted may not be able to review the full conversation.

It also opens the door to phishing links, fake payment emails and pressure tactics. Vinted specifically warns users to avoid leaving the platform to contact others or send payments.

To stay safe, always keep communication inside the Vinted app and never share your personal contact details.

They Send a Fake Payment Confirmation

Another common Vinted scam is the fake payment confirmation.

The buyer may claim they have paid, then send you a screenshot or email that looks like it came from Vinted, PayPal or a bank. The message may say that the money is “pending” and will be released once you ship the item. This is a major warning sign. On Vinted, you should only trust what appears inside your Vinted account. If the order is real, you will see it in the app and the shipping process will be available there. You should never ship an item because a buyer sent you a screenshot, email or external payment confirmation.

PayPal also warns sellers to be careful with fake or phishing emails and to log in directly to their account instead of clicking links in suspicious messages.

Before sending anything, check your Vinted dashboard. If there is no confirmed order in the app, do not ship.

They Offer to Pay More Than the Listed Price

Fake buyers sometimes offer to pay more than your asking price, especially if they want to create urgency. They might say:

“I’ll pay extra if you ship today.” or “I can send £20 more by bank transfer.”

This is often used to make you act quickly and ignore the normal process. The buyer may then try to move payment outside Vinted or send a fake payment confirmation. Overpayment scams are common across online marketplaces. Police Scotland warns online sellers to be careful with fake overpayments, unexpected courier fees and fake payment confirmation emails. A genuine buyer can buy through the normal Vinted checkout. If someone is offering extra money but wants to avoid the platform, it is usually safer to refuse.

They Ask You to Ship to a Different Address

Another red flag is when a buyer asks you to send the item to an address different from the one attached to the order. They may say they recently moved, they are buying the item as a gift, or they want it sent to a friend or relative. Even if the request sounds reasonable, it can put you at risk. If you ship to a different address and the buyer later claims they never received the item, you may have a much harder time proving that you followed the correct process.

Vinted’s help centre explains how returns and delivery issues are handled through the platform’s order process, which is why it is important to keep shipping connected to the original transaction.

The safest answer is: “Please cancel and reorder with the correct address in Vinted.” This keeps everything connected to the official order and avoids confusion later.

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What Should You Do When a Buyer Claims They Didn’t Receive the Item?

It’s a frustrating scenario many sellers know all too well. You’ve packaged the item, sent it via tracked shipping, and even received delivery confirmation. But the buyer contacts you days later to say the parcel never arrived. In some cases, they may open a dispute through Vinted, claiming a refund or reversal.

This tactic plays on timing and ambiguity. If you don’t have solid tracking details, or if the item was sent via untracked mail, the platform may side with the buyer, especially if there’s no way to prove the parcel arrived.

The best way to protect yourself? Always use tracked and insured delivery methods, preferably the shipping options Vinted offers at checkout. These methods not only provide you with proof of postage but also tie the parcel directly to the transaction, which is key in defending your case if the buyer makes a false claim.

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They Pressure You to Act Quickly

Scammers often use urgency because they do not want you to stop and think.

They might say: “Can you send it in the next hour?” “I need this urgently.” “I’ve already paid, please post it now.”

Urgency alone does not always mean someone is fake. Some buyers really do want an item quickly. But if the urgency is combined with off-app messages, external payment, address changes or suspicious links, be careful.

Vinted also mentions pressure to act quickly as one of the warning signs of scams and phishing messages. A normal buyer will understand that you need to follow the proper process.

They Send Suspicious Links

Be very careful if a buyer sends you a link and asks you to confirm payment, enter your details, upload information, or verify your account.

These links can lead to fake pages designed to look like Vinted. Once you enter your login or payment details, scammers can steal your account information.

Do not click links from buyers that ask for:

• your Vinted login
• your card details
• your email password
• your bank information
• a payment confirmation
• a delivery confirmation outside the app

Action Fraud also warns that Vinted scams can involve fraudsters impersonating Vinted customer support or tricking users into revealing personal information.

If you receive a suspicious message, go directly to the Vinted app yourself instead of clicking the link.

Their Profile Looks Empty or Recently Created

A new account is not automatically suspicious. Everyone has to start somewhere.

But you should be more careful if the buyer’s profile has several of these signs:

• no reviews
• no profile photo
• no listed items
• a vague username
• recently created account
• strange or copied messages
• pressure to buy quickly
• request to move outside Vinted

An empty profile combined with unusual behaviour is more concerning than an empty profile alone. If something feels off, you can cancel the transaction or report the account. Vinted allows users to report inappropriate behaviour, scams and phishing messages through its reporting system.

They Claim the Item Never Arrived

This is one of the most frustrating situations for sellers.

You send the item, tracking says it was delivered, but the buyer claims they never received it. In some cases, they may open a dispute and ask for a refund.

To protect yourself, always use the shipping methods connected to the Vinted order when possible. Keep proof of postage, tracking information and delivery confirmation.

Action Fraud notes that marketplace scams can involve fake tracking numbers, claims about undelivered parcels, or attempts to exploit delivery systems.

It is also smart to take photos of:

• the item before packing
• any labels, tags, serial numbers or flaws
• the packaging
• the shipping label
• the parcel before sending

This gives you a stronger record if the buyer later claims there is a problem.

They Try a Fake Return Scam

A newer concern for sellers is the fake return scam.

This usually happens when a buyer claims the item is damaged, fake, not as described or different from the listing. They may then try to get a refund or return a different item, a damaged version, or something in worse condition than what you originally sent.

This is why documentation matters so much. Before shipping valuable items, take clear photos and, if possible, a short video showing the item’s condition. Capture details such as labels, brand tags, serial numbers, stitching, defects, measurements and packaging. You can also check Vinted’s refund policy to understand how refund situations are handled on the platform./ This may feel like extra work, but it can protect you if a buyer opens a dispute.

It’s also advisable to photograph the item before packaging, as well as the packaging itself, including the label. This level of documentation could be the difference between keeping your money and losing both the product and the payment.

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What Are the Best Ways to Protect Yourself from Fake Buyers on Vinted?

The reality is that scams will always exist on popular platforms. But there are consistent ways to reduce your risk:

• Stick to Vinted’s in-app messaging and payment systems
• Use tracked, insured shipping with photo documentation
• Avoid shipping to unverified addresses
• Never click on links or enter login details outside of Vinted’s domain
• Report suspicious users or messages immediately

These small habits form a protective barrier between you and the growing sophistication of online scams.

Grow Your Store, Not Your Risk

Selling online doesn’t have to be stressful. Once you know how to spot fake buyers and understand the common tactics used on platforms like Vinted, it becomes easier to navigate challenges and focus on growing your business.

If you're scaling up and listing across multiple marketplaces, it's worth exploring tools that can make selling more efficient - and secure.

Zipsale offers multichannel listing software designed for sellers who want to post items across Vinted, Depop, eBay, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace - all from a single dashboard. With built-in listing management and syncing tools, you can reduce errors, track inventory accurately, and keep all records consistent, which is key for spotting and stopping fraud early.

Whether you're selling part-time or turning your side hustle into a full-time business, Zipsale helps you manage it all while staying protected.

Learn more about Zipsale and discover how multichannel selling can increase your revenue, without increasing your risk.