Vinted ‘scam’ alert as seller shares money back ‘lie’

Using Vinted is a great way to declutter your wardrobe of unwanted items, or clear out any old games, consoles or homeware you never use – not only can it help you stay organised, but you can make some extra cash. Some people have managed to make thousands on the app, but one Vinted seller has issued a warning over a fraudulent method people have allegedly been using to get their money back.

Before you start flogging your unwanted items, sellers should aware of a reported new scam which allegedly sees buyers “lying” about receiving their parcels. One key packaging method, and having evidence of what you have sent, could help prevent this.

Chloe Chandler, a successful Vinted seller who shares her top tips onTikTok where she boasts over 20,000 followers, insists sellers ‘beware.’

Chloe said: “There’s a new scam on Vinted where buyers claim they haven’t received what is supposed to be inside the packet.”

Chloe claims she has been inundated with messages from people telling her that they have experienced this. She noted that the alleged scam would see the buyer receive the parcel, go to the app and report an issue, claiming they have not received what they ordered, when in fact they have. Chloe claims that people are doing this in a bid to get their money back – and get the item for free.

Sharing how to combat this, the seller added: “Buyers need to be double wrapping an item and then sending it out – I cannot stress this enough. Make sure that you ship the items properly in good packaging and also make sure that you photograph it. Make sure you have evidence.”

Taking photographs and documenting each item before shipping creates proof of its condition and authenticity, which can be used to resolve disputes if buyers claim damage or misrepresentation. Using tracked shipping also enables sellers to oversee the delivery process. Being alert to these schemes can help sellers avoid losing both their product and payment, plus help prepare for potential disputes.

Victims of this scam have opened up following Chloe’s warning video. In the comments of her video, one individual shared: “I had a customer take out my items worth £50 bedding and blankets and put a beach towel in an open parcel and tried to claim I sent her a £4 beach towel but luckily I take photos of my parcel and make a video while packing it and pictures when I put it in the locker so she didn’t get away with it.”

Sharing advice, another added: “I always take a photo of the item with the packaging and shipping label and then again with it all packaged up and send that to the buyer as proof I’ve sent everything and packaged it correctly.”

“It’s crazy that we have to go to these lengths not to get scammed,” wrote another.

While Buyer’s Protection is a great tool in order to help buyers resolve disputes, it . If you believe the buyer is intentionally lying, report them to Vinted’s support team for review and potential action.

Vinted says that if you get scammed or phished while using the app, you should report it immediately. Press ‘contact us’ on Vinted’s website, and make sure to include a screenshot of the messages or email, the username or profile link of the Vinted member, photographs of the item before sending, shipping confirmation and tracking information.

Vinted has been contacted for comment.

For more information, visit the Vinted website.