Smoking Wires Exposed: Avoiding Counterfeit Scams on Vinted and Resale Platforms

When Maheen discovered a brand-new Dyson Airwrap priced at just £260 on the second-hand platform Vinted, she couldn’t believe her luck. The seller boasted a perfect rating with five-star reviews, and Maheen felt reassured by the platform’s buyer-protection policy.

Typically, an Airwrap retails for £400 to £480 when sold new, yet Maheen had no initial suspicions. “I had frequently used Vinted and always found it to be reliable and straightforward. I never encountered any problems before,” she shared.

Nonetheless, about two weeks and several uses later, she noticed an alarming issue. “The wire started to emit smoke, and I immediately felt the product was not safe,” she recounted. After reaching out to Dyson for help, she was instructed to send the Airwrap to them.

Dyson’s reply confirmed her worst fears. “They sent me a letter stating the product was a counterfeit. It was deemed unsafe and they could not return it,” she explained.

Maheen’s ordeal is not an isolated incident. According to a study by the credit reference agency Experian, about 37% of Britons have fallen victim to scams on online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Vinted.

These fraudulent schemes disproportionately affect younger users, with 58% of Gen Z individuals reporting scams, as compared to just 16% of those over 55 years old.

Financial losses vary, with nearly a quarter of people reporting losses between £51 and £100, and 13% losing over £250. A few individuals reported being scammed out of between £501 and £1,000.

The most prevalent scam involved receiving counterfeit items, as experienced by 34% of the respondents. This was closely followed by requests for payments outside the secure platform (31%) and instances where the items never arrived (22%).

Identifying Scams

These scams often involve items that look genuine and descriptions that suggest authenticity. According to Experian, over half of the victims (51%) only realized they were scammed after receiving a counterfeit item or not receiving anything at all.

Photos used in listings might be of low quality or overly polished, resembling catalogue images because they are often lifted from other websites.

Scammers typically list items at prices lower than expected and may pressure buyers into making a quick purchase, often requesting payments outside of protected platforms like Vinted.

Steps to Take

It’s crucial to thoroughly check a seller’s profile and read through customer feedback before committing to a purchase on any marketplace. Obtain as much product information as possible, such as requesting video proof of the item. Always use secure payment methods and steer clear of direct bank transfers to safeguard yourself.

Should you fall prey to a scam, immediately report the incident to the marketplace and request a refund. You might need to provide screenshots of your communication and details about the transaction and the seller or buyer.

Despite being outside Vinted’s two-day protection window for buyers, Maheen assumed she would be refunded since the product was hazardous. Yet, she found it difficult to reach a human representative. “It felt like I was communicating with a bot,” she stated.

With assistance from Guardian Money, Maheen successfully received her refund.

A spokesperson from Vinted commented, “The vast majority of our transactions occur without any issues, and our team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth experience for all users. In the event of a dispute, we intervene by collaborating with our delivery partners and may request additional information or evidence before making a decision.”

If your initial appeal to the marketplace is unsuccessful, other avenues are available. If the payment was made via a debit card, you could request a chargeback from your bank. For credit card payments exceeding £100, you might consider a Section 75 claim. For bank transfers, obtaining a refund can be more complex, but new fraud refund protections might entitle you to your money back.