If you’re over 60 and buying online, there’s a good possibility that someone is trying to trick you. I wish it wasn’t the case, but it is. The FBI says that in 2023, Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to fraud. And more and more of that is happening on sites like eBay.
Why? Because scammers think it’s simpler to trick older people. Not because elders aren’t savvy, but because scammers are heartless. They rely on people to trust them too easily, get scared by phoney tax warnings, or not know how web sites like eBay work behind the scenes.
A lot of these frauds are made to look and feel just like a real eBay transaction, with the same email structure, logos, and even the same kind of words. There aren’t usually clear signs that the scam is happening. It can look like a “second chance offer,” a refund message, or a request for tech support.
The worst part is that these scams are changing quickly. In 2025, they use AI voice cloning, false IRS tax filings, and even stolen seller accounts to work. And they’re becoming better at one thing: making you feel like you have to do something right now.
That’s why I’m going to show you the six most common eBay scams that are currently targeting seniors, along with real-life instances, warning signs to look out for, and easy strategies to keep safe. These tactics are much easier to recognise once you know what to look for.
Let’s go through them one at a time now.
1. The “Second-Chance” eBay Offer Asking for a Wire Transfer
This scam usually begins with an offer that seems too good to be true. You get an email informing that the customer who won backed out, and now you can buy the thing you missed. It might utilise eBay branding, talk about a real listing, and even have an invoice number.
It seems real. That’s the trick.
But this is what really happens: the fraudster pushes you to finish the purchase outside of eBay, using a wire transfer, Zelle, or another method that can’t be tracked. The merchant disappears as soon as you send the money. No item. No money back. And since the payment didn’t go through eBay, the buyer isn’t protected.
This fraud works especially well on older people who might think eBay is still involved. But once you’re off the station, you’re on your own.
These messages can be very compelling, which makes things worse. They say things like, “You have 12 hours to claim it,” to distract you from thinking about it or getting help.
If someone asks you to do a deal outside of eBay, it’s almost always a scam. Always use eBay’s official checkout to pay. That’s the only way their protections work.
2. The Fake 1099-K Tax Form Panic Scam
This one is sly and uses fear to get what it wants.
People who are trying to steal your money are sending you bogus tax papers that appear like they originated from eBay or the IRS. Most of the time, it’s a fake 1099-K form that says you owe taxes on some recent purchases. It makes it more complicated and more credible if you don’t even sell on eBay. To avoid penalties, the notification normally tells you to “verify your identity” or “confirm your Social Security details.”
The scammer wants you to feel this way, though. Seniors, in particular, are more prone to act swiftly when it comes to taxes because they are afraid of getting in trouble. These crooks can get to private information like Social Security numbers, addresses, and even bank account data this way.
It’s not just an eBay fraud anymore once they have that. It turns into stealing someone’s identity.
This scam is happening more often in 2025, especially since the IRS made 1099-K reporting standards stricter. Scammers were able to get away with it even more easily since people were confused about who really needed to file.
What to look for:
- Even if you haven’t sold anything, you still get a tax form.
- The email has a link to a site that looks like eBay or the IRS, but the address is a little odd.
- You need to key in or upload your Social Security number.
If you obtain a 1099-K form, go to your eBay account right away and see if it shows up there. Don’t believe anything you get in an email or text, especially if it asks for personal information. You can also check directly on IRS.gov.
Scammers are also using urgent texts pretending to be toll fines or government alerts—here’s how one recent text scam is hitting seniors hard.
3. AI Voice Scams Pretending to Be eBay Support (or Your Grandchild)
This one is new and scary.
Scammers are employing AI voice-cloning techniques to sound just like someone you trust in 2025. Someone phoning to help with a questionable charge can be a bogus “eBay support rep.” Sometimes it’s much worse: they’ll say they’re your grandchild or a family member and that they’re stuck, scared, and need money to address an urgent eBay problem.
These calls usually start with just enough personal information to seem legitimate. They may say your name. They might mention something you were looking at or bought recently. That’s because scammers often get that information from public profiles or databases that have been hacked.
Why it works: AI has made it so easy to fake voices that it’s almost too easy. Scammers only require a short audio sample, which they can collect from voicemails, YouTube videos, or even public Zoom recordings.
How to be safe: If you get a call like this, hang up and call the caller back from a number you recognise. Never send money over the phone, especially by Zelle, wire, or crypto. And don’t forget: eBay never contacts you out of the blue to beg for money or passwords.
This kind of scam is getting more common. Police in a number of jurisdictions, including New Hampshire and Virginia, have already warned people this year about AI voice fraud that targets older people.
4. The Gift Card Payment Scam (Yes, It’s Still Happening)
You’d think this scam would have been reported on by now. But in 2025, it’s still one of the most common ways that seniors are getting scammed, because the scammers have changed their methods.
Usually, someone who says they work with eBay gets in touch with you and says there’s a problem with your account, you owe them money, or you need to make an urgent purchase. Then the twist: they want you to buy eBay gift cards and provide them the codes as payment.
They might say that the eBay system is “temporarily down” or that the cards are needed to “verify your identity.” The reasons are different. The goal is always the same: persuade you to buy gift cards and send the codes. Once you do, your money is gone and can’t be found.
The FTC said that between 2018 and 2020, people lost more than $245 million because of gift cards. The losses haven’t stopped. AARP’s 2025 fraud roundup says that eBay gift cards are on high on thieves’ “wish lists.”
Why this is dangerous: Scammers know that a lot of older people would rather buy something real, like a gift card, than use apps or internet banking. They also use shame to keep people quiet; when someone realises they’ve been misled, they often don’t tell anyone because they’re embarrassed.
How to keep oneself safe: eBay will never ask you to pay using gift cards. You don’t need to send codes by email, text, or phone to a real support person or seller. It’s a scam if someone tells you something else.
If you’ve already delivered a gift card code, tell the store (such eBay, Apple, or Amazon) right away and then tell the FTC. If the card hasn’t been used yet, you might still be able to halt it.
5. The Overpayment & Refund Scam (The “Fake Check” Trick)
This one plays on trust and civility, especially when older sellers are attempting to be helpful.
It usually starts when you list anything for sale on eBay. A buyer offers to pay more than what you’re asking for, usually suggesting it’s to “cover shipping” or as a “tip for fast handling.” It sounds kind. But here’s the catch: they send you a cheque that appears real, and it can even come from a bank or firm that seems real.
After that, they want you to give them back the difference. They might explain they “accidentally overpaid” or that they need some of the money delivered to a third party, like a “mover” or “shipping agent.”
This is what really happens:
- You cash the cheque.
- At first, it clears.
- A few days later, your bank says it’s phoney and takes the money back out of your account.
- By that time, the money you send back (usually through a wire or app) is long gone.
- You lose the item and the money you sent.
This swindle is back in full swing in 2025. AARP and a number of state fraud warnings say that fake-check scams are now one of the top five ways that seniors are being targeted, not just on eBay but on other sites as well.
Why it works: Scammers know that a lot of individuals feel like they have to repair a “mistake.” We want to make things right if someone paid too much. They take advantage of your honesty.
If someone sends you a cheque and demands for a refund, stop right there. Do not send the item. Don’t give them money. It takes at least two weeks for your bank to certify that the cheque is authentic. Clearing is not the same as cashing.
Better still, don’t use checks at all. Use eBay’s built-in payment method. That’s why it’s there.
If you’re a veteran or receive government benefits, be extra cautious—overpayment scams are also being used to target VA recipients in similar ways.
6. The Fake Seller Scam: Too Good to Be True, and Then Gone
This is one of the oldest tactics in the book, but in 2025, scammers have made it harder to recognise.
It usually starts when you see an offer that seems too good to be true. A huge discount is being offered on a high-value item, such an iPhone, a collector’s watch, or even a rare vinyl record. The vendor could have a good rating or even be using a stolen account with years of good reviews.
You click “Buy Now,” go through what looks like a normal checkout, and then nothing happens. No item, no tracking number, and no replies.
The listing goes away after a few days, and so does the seller.
Scammers often do this with stolen eBay accounts. They reset the password, list a lot of bogus items, get quick payments, and then disappear before eBay figures it out.
Why seniors are more likely to be scammed: Scammers go after elders because they may not recognise signals that their account has been hacked, such as sellers acting strangely, shipping information that doesn’t match, or faulty grammar in product descriptions. They also realise that a lot of older people like good deals on things they can use themselves, give as gifts, or give to their grandkids.
How to be safe:
Always check before you buy:
- Does the seller get the same reviews for similar products?
- Is the price a lot lower than what other people are asking?
- Is the information on returns and shipping clear?
Also, never pay or talk to anyone outside of eBay. That’s the most prevalent way that fraudsters get around defences.
This tactic isn’t limited to eBay—travel-related deals and bookings are also being used to trick seniors online.
If something doesn’t seem right, even a little, stop and check again. A quick Google search or a look at other listings will typically show the red flag.
What You Can Do Right Now to Stay Safe on eBay
If you’ve gotten this far, here’s the good news: you’re already ahead of most people. Just knowing about these scams gives you an advantage over the people who are trying to trick you.
Now let’s do something about that knowledge.
I suggest this simple checklist to every senior or anyone who helps a senior shop safely online. It works and isn’t hard to understand:
Before You Buy or Sell on eBay:
- Only use eBay’s official checkout and messages.
- If a trade seems rushed or important, be careful.
- Don’t give money to anyone who requests for it by a gift card, wire, or cryptocurrency.
- Don’t click on links in emails. Instead, go to eBay.com and log in yourself.
Before you do anything, phone a family member or friend if a message or offer sounds strange. It helps to have a second set of eyes.
If you’re not sure,
- Search for the exact offer or message on Google. You can often find reports from people who have been conned.
- Look into the seller’s or buyer’s history to see whether they have changed their behaviour suddenly.
- Don’t wait to tell eBay about anything strange. It helps other people, too.
As a bonus, set up account notifications on your eBay profile and connect it to a secure email address that isn’t mentioned anywhere else, including on Facebook or blogs. Most of the time, scammers acquire their leads from personal information that is out there.
And the most important thing is to never be ashamed of being careful. Scammers rely on people being quiet and ashamed. The only approach to stop these techniques is to talk about them openly.
You’re Not Alone—And You’re Not Powerless
These kinds of scams work because they are personal. They go after trust. They utilise fear, affection, and even hurry to get you to act without thinking.
You are not foolish if someone has ever tried to trick you or almost did. These frauds are meant to trick those who are smart. You’re here learning about them, which shows that you care about your safety and the safety of others.
This isn’t only about eBay, to be honest. It’s about being able to regulate your online life at any age. It’s about having the guts to stop, ask questions, and protect your information, even when the fraud sounds real or emotional.
So, here’s what I want you to do next:
- Give this article to an older person or someone who isn’t very good with technology.
- Talk to your family about these scams, especially teens and elderly.
- Tell someone if you’ve been a victim of a scam. Put it online. Tell someone. You never know who you might benefit by speaking up.
And most importantly, don’t let scammers scare you away from accessing the internet. Like everyone else, you should be able to purchase, sell, and connect safely.
Have you or someone you know been the victim of a scam like this? I’d like to hear your story. You can leave it in the comments or send it to me privately. Scammers have a harder time winning the more we talk.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or cybersecurity advice. While we aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information, always verify details with official sources like eBay or the FTC. Fametribute.com is not affiliated with eBay or any law enforcement agency.
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