Preloved Scam UK: How to Spot Fake Sellers and Protect Yourself

Preloved scammers use fake profiles and pressure tactics to steal thousands from UK buyers — here's how to spot them before you lose money.

Published 2026-05-03 · Beat the Scam Editorial Team · 7 min read

What is this scam?

The Preloved scam targets UK buyers using the legitimate Preloved second-hand marketplace. Scammers create fake seller profiles offering desirable items—often electronics, designer goods, or furniture—at unrealistically low prices to attract buyers quickly. Once contact is made, they employ several tricks: asking you to pay outside the platform via bank transfer, PayPal Friends & Family, or cryptocurrency to avoid Preloved's protections; claiming the item is held for you but requesting an upfront deposit; or asking for payment 'to verify you're a serious buyer'. Some scammers use photos stolen from legitimate listings or copied from other websites. The goal is to get your money before you realise the item doesn't exist or will never be sent. Unlike buying through Preloved's official payment system, any money transferred directly to the scammer's bank account or via unprotected payment methods is essentially gone, with little chance of recovery.

Warning signs to look for

• Price is significantly lower than comparable items on Preloved or other marketplaces — scammers use unrealistic bargains as bait.
• Seller asks you to pay outside Preloved using bank transfer, PayPal Friends & Family, or cryptocurrency instead of through the platform's protected payment system.
• Seller claims to be overseas but shipping from the UK, or there's a mismatch in their location story.
• Seller pressures you to decide quickly ('I have other buyers interested') or says the item is 'reserved' but needs a deposit now.
• Photos look professionally taken or don't match the item description — use reverse image search to check if they're stolen from other listings.
• Seller has very few or no reviews, or their account was created recently with no activity history.
• Seller asks for your full bank details, passport scan, or other ID to 'verify' the transaction — Preloved never requires this.
• Communication is vague, uses poor grammar, or avoids answering specific questions about the item's condition or specifications.

How this scam works step by step

The scam typically begins when you browse Preloved and find an item at a tempting price. You contact the seller directly through the platform's messaging system. The scammer responds quickly and warmly, building false trust. They may claim to be moving house, upgrading, or need cash urgently — stories designed to explain the low price and create sympathy. When you show interest, they suggest moving the conversation to email or WhatsApp, away from Preloved's moderation. They then request payment outside Preloved's system, often claiming the platform takes too high a commission, their account is 'locked', or they'll refund you a discount for avoiding fees. Some ask for a 'holding deposit' to reserve the item. Once you transfer money via bank transfer, PayPal Friends & Family, or another unprotected method, the scammer either disappears entirely or sends follow-up messages with excuses ('shipping is delayed', 'there's a customs issue') to extract more money. By the time you realise you've been scammed, the money has been withdrawn and the account deleted.

How to verify if it is genuine

Always use Preloved's built-in payment protection system rather than paying directly to a seller's bank account. Check the seller's profile for a history of positive transactions — new accounts with no reviews are higher risk. Use Google's reverse image search (images.google.com) to verify the item's photos haven't been stolen from other listings. Contact the seller through Preloved's messaging only, never move to email or WhatsApp at a seller's request — legitimate sellers accept platform communication. For high-value items, ask the seller for multiple photos including ones showing your username written on a piece of paper next to the item. Check their responses carefully: legitimate sellers answer specific questions about condition, measurements, and faults quickly and clearly. If the price seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is — compare similar items on Vinted, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay to gauge fair prices. For further help spotting marketplace fraud, see our guide on /guides/is-this-website-a-scam/.

What to do if you have already interacted

Act immediately if you suspect you've been scammed. First, if you haven't sent money yet, stop all communication and block the seller on Preloved. If you've already transferred money via bank transfer, contact your bank right away — explain it was an unauthorised transfer or fraud, and they may be able to recall or freeze the payment if it hasn't been withdrawn yet. This is time-critical and works best within the first few hours. If you paid via PayPal Friends & Family, open a dispute through PayPal's Resolution Centre, though Friends & Family transfers offer less protection than Goods & Services payments. For cryptocurrency payments, unfortunately there's almost no way to recover the money — contact the exchange you used to report the scam, but recovery is unlikely. Next, report the scam to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk) and provide all messages, payment details, and the seller's profile name. Report the fraudulent Preloved seller profile directly within the app or website using the 'Report' button. Don't send any more money or engage further with the scammer.

Reporting this scam in the UK

Report any Preloved scam to Action Fraud immediately by calling 0300 123 2040 or submitting a report at actionfraud.police.uk — this is the UK's national fraud reporting centre and helps track scam patterns. Report the scammer's profile within Preloved itself by clicking the three-dot menu on their listing or profile and selecting 'Report'. Preloved takes fraud seriously and will investigate, though response times vary. If the scammer sent you a phishing email or suspicious link, forward it to the NCSC Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk — this helps authorities block fake websites. If you received any suspicious SMS messages, forward them to 7726 (free). You can also contact Citizens Advice's consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 for advice on your next steps and whether you might have recourse through your bank. Providing as much detail as possible — seller username, messages, payment reference, and dates — helps authorities investigate and prevents other buyers falling victim to the same scammer.

Frequently asked questions