Can I get scammed through PayPal?
Yes, you could be vulnerable to PayPal scams through Gumtree. But with PayPal being a legitimate payment method that many of us use without issue, how do you tell if someone is scamming you on Gumtree?
A fraudster posing as a seller may send fake PayPal links, emails or receipts to make it look like you’re sending them payment through the platform. When you don’t receive the items paid for, it will then be difficult to get your money back, as the payment won’t have gone through PayPal. Alternatively, a fraudster might try to use these fake forms or pages to harvest your bank details or any other personal information you enter.
Fraudsters also make use of PayPal when posing as potential car buyers. In the most common car buying scams, a buyer will offer to send money via PayPal, sometimes without having seen the car (or other item) first. The buyer then claims that they’ve accidentally overpaid, and asks you to send them the money back using a fraudulent link. This link may look like a PayPal one at first, but it will actually have no association with PayPal. It’s always good to be cautious as PayPal doesn’t offer payment protection on vehicle purchases.
Is PayPal safe on Gumtree?
Yes – if you keep the information from this guide in mind, PayPal is a safe and secure payment method to use on Gumtree. All payment details through PayPal are securely encrypted, and if you believe you’re the victim of any buying and selling scams, PayPal can help you get your money back.
You can find details of PayPal’s “Buyer and Fraud Protection” here.
How to avoid common buying scams
When using Gumtree, keeping the following in mind can help you to spot and avoid potential buying and selling scams:
- Be wary of buyers who offer to send money via PayPal without seeing the item first
- Be very cautious if a buyer claims to have overpaid, especially when you have not received an official payment confirmation
- Don’t let someone rush you into sending or receiving money. Taking your time and staying vigilant will give you extra peace of mind when buying and selling
- Make sure any emails you receive are actually from PayPal and not from a fraudulent website
- Only log in to PayPal through the legitimate PayPal URL or the PayPal app. Don’t follow links sent to you by buyers or sellers on Gumtree
- Check your PayPal account on the PayPal site or app to validate transactions and messages
- Keeping all communication through Gumtree will give you an extra level of security. If a buyer asks you to communicate on a private email platform instead, it’s probably a sign to be wary. We ensure that your email is masked on Gumtree to prevent unwanted contact
We aim to keep Gumtree a positive and secure place to buy and sell, so if you feel unsure, feel free to refuse a sale and you can use our helpdesk to report anything suspicious.
How to ensure safe payments and receipts
As well as the above, there are plenty of ways to make sure all your payments and receipts on Gumtree are safe and secure:
- Using cash payments is an option (except for with large amounts which you may feel uncomfortable about)
- Be aware that bank transfers offer very little protection if, for example, you’re not happy with an item
- PayPal, on the other hand, does generally offer more protection. That said, keep in mind that the ‘Pay Friends and Family’ option does not offer this same level of protection
- When you’re selling, it’s good to make sure that you’ve received the official payment confirmation and that the money is in your account before sending any items
- It’s important to verify receipts in your PayPal account before sending an item
Selling your items on Gumtree can be a quick, easy and positive experience, but it’s always worth being vigilant. Follow the advice in this guide to make sure you avoid PayPal-related scams. We’ve also put together guides on how to avoid scams when selling your car privately and how to trade safely on Gumtree, so you’ll have all the information you need to stay safe and secure when looking for those perfect deals.
