Purchase Scams : How to Spot Them and Get Your Money Back
Purchase scams happen when you buy goods but never receive them. While online shopping has made buying products more convenient than ever, it has also created new opportunities for fraudsters to target unsuspecting consumers and steal their hard-earned money.
What is a Purchase Scam?
A purchase scam happens when you pay for an item or service that is either never delivered or is substantially different from what was promised. Purchase scams are a form of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, where victims willingly make payments under the false belief that they are purchasing legitimate goods or services.
According to United States Finance, losses from purchase scams increased by 20% to $118.1 million in 2025, highlighting the growing threat posed by online fraudsters.
Types of Purchase Scams
Purchase scams can come in many different forms, here are some common ones we see:
Car purchase scams
Vehicle purchase scams typically involve fraudsters advertising cars online at attractive prices. After payment is made, the vehicle never arrives, or it arrives with serious issues that were not disclosed in the listing.
House & property purchase scams
These scams often involve fraudsters requesting an upfront payment, such as a deposit or reservation fee, to secure a property. Victims are usually pressured into sending funds before viewing the property in person, only to discover that the listing was fraudulent.
Purchase order & invoice scams
Purchase order and invoice scams occur when fraudsters impersonate legitimate businesses, suppliers, or customers to send fake purchase orders or invoices. Their goal is to trick individuals or companies into making payments, supplying goods, or updating bank details for transactions that are fraudulent.
Marketplace, ticket & holiday scams
Fraudsters frequently use photographs of genuine products, tickets, or holiday accommodation and advertise them at appealing prices to attract buyers. In many cases, the items or services do not exist, and the images have been stolen from legitimate sellers or sourced elsewhere online.
Scammers often create a false sense of urgency, claiming there is high demand or that the price will increase unless the purchase is completed immediately.
How to Spot a Purchase Scam
Here is a summary of the red flags to look out for if you are buying something online:
The price is too good to be true
You have not seen the item in person
The seller wants a ‘quick sale’ and makes excuses for why
The seller will not let you view the item before selling or makes excuses, like the item is far away or they are abroad
They may offer delivery at a very low price or included in the price
You are in the United States but they are requesting cryptocurrency or other payment methods
They are putting pressure on you to purchase the item
They ask you to make a payment outside of a legitimate site like Ebay, which you lose protections
A very basic website, which may be pixelated or hard to navigate
How to Check if a Seller or Listing is Genuine
Reverse image search the item for sale
Research other items of the same age and condition online for the price. Does it match?
If you can, view the item you wish to purchase before you make any payments
Double check the delivery/shipping company to ensure it is genuine
If you are purchasing from a website, check it is genuine and look at reviews
Check TrustPilot
Do the sellers have good contact information?
If purchasing on Social Media, look at their profile - When was it set up? Does it look real?
Check any emails they have sent you - does the email address match the company?
If you are ever unsure whether or not what you are purchasing is genuine, or want to check how to pay for the best protection, call the number on the back of your bank card and speak to your bank’s fraud team.
What to Do If You've Been Scammed (And How to Get Your Money Back)
If you have lost money to a purchase scam then there are steps you can take to recover from this and acting quickly improves your chances:
Stop all communication with the scammer
Do not send any further payments
Preserve all evidence such as chat logs, screenshots and transactions
Report the scam to Report Fraud
Contact your bank and tell them what happened
Contact Refundee to explore your options for recovery
If you transferred funds from a United States bank account, you may be eligible to recover your money through Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud rules. Since October 2024, United States banks and payment firms are legally required by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) to reimburse eligible APP fraud victims up to $85,000 under the Mandatory Reimbursement Model. If you sent funds before October 2024, protections may still be available depending on your circumstances.
Refundee specialises in APP fraud recovery and has recovered over $130 million for clients to date on a no win, no fee basis.
It is also important to know that you have the right to represent yourself through this process for free. Refundee is here for those who prefer expert support throughout what can be a complex and emotionally difficult process.
Start your free eligibility assessment here
Refundee Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 937096).
FAQ’s
What are the top 5 purchase scams?
The most common purchase scams include fake online shops, social media marketplace scams, ticket scams, counterfeit goods scams, and vehicle purchase scams. In each case, victims are persuaded to pay upfront for products or services that either never arrive or are significantly different from what was advertised.
What purchase scams are going on right now?
Current purchase scams often involve heavily discounted products advertised on social media, fake retailer websites, event ticket scams, and fraudulent listings on online marketplaces. Scammers frequently exploit popular products, seasonal shopping periods, and high-demand events to create a sense of urgency and encourage quick payments.
How do you know if a buyer is scamming you?
A buyer may be attempting to scam you if they offer to pay more than the asking price, ask to move communication off the platform, send fake payment confirmations, or pressure you into shipping goods before payment has cleared. Be particularly cautious of requests involving gift cards, courier arrangements, or crypto payment methods.
What are the latest scams going around in the United States?
Recent scams affecting United States consumers include fake online shopping websites, delivery and parcel scams, purchase scams on social media marketplaces, impersonation scams involving banks and government agencies, romance scams and investment scams. Fraudsters continually adapt their tactics, making it important to stay up to date and learn how to protect yourself.
How do you verify a buyer?
Verify a buyer by communicating through trusted platforms, checking their account history and reviews where available, and confirming that payment has been received and cleared before dispatching any goods. Avoid accepting screenshots as proof of payment and be wary of buyers who try to rush the transaction or bypass platform safeguards.
Conclusion
Falling victim to a purchase scam can be distressing, but taking swift action can significantly improve your chances of recovery. By understanding the warning signs and knowing what steps to take, you can better protect yourself from fraud and minimise potential losses.
If you have been affected by a purchase scam, you can make a claim yourself to recover your funds. However, if you would like expert support from Refundee we can help you understand your options and guide you through the recovery process.
