Purchase scams

Have you fallen victim to a purchase scam? Get in touch and take the first step to recovering what’s rightfully yours.

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Purchase scams

What are purchase scams?

  • bank

    Fund transfers

    Purchase scams are a growing form of online fraud. They typically involve victims knowingly transferring funds from their UK-based bank account to a fraudulent app or via bank transfer in the belief that they are making a legitimate purchase.

  • magnifying-glass

    Advertising

    They advertise their fictitious goods on websites, social media platforms, clone genuine websites, or use paid advertising to lure customers to fake websites.

  • card

    Low prices

    They advertise these items at low prices, persuading victims to pay via bank transfer to secure the deal. When the victim transfers money, the seller disappears, and no goods or services arrive.

How to identify purchase scams

Identifying online scams

In demand or hard to obtain products are often subject to online purchase scams. Always ask yourself. Does the deal seem too good to be true? Are you being asked for upfront payment before receiving the item? Does the seller have a profile or a reputation you can inspect? Are you able to inspect the product yourself before handing over the payment?

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Richard Irving

Protecting yourself from online scams

Purchase scams can happen to anyone looking to buy from an online platform. It’s worth familiarising yourself with signs of purchase scams. Always pay for goods using a debit or credit card. If using sites such as Facebook Marketplace, then try to meet up with the seller to exchanging the item and money. If a bargain seems too good to be true, then it usually is.

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Where do purchase scams happen

Scammers will target individuals on websites such as Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and eBay. Always be vigilante when using these sites and take the necessary steps to protect your money. Read the terms and conditions on eBay about buyers protection and ensure you always utilise this to help recover your funds in the case of a scam.

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Why WRS?

Supporting you is our priority. That’s why we provide personalised plans and care around the clock to our clients.

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Recovering over £40,000,000 for clients like you

Over the past 3 years, we’ve recovered more than £40,000,000 for our clients. It’s thanks to our team of solicitors and recovery claim specialists who trace and recover the investments you’ve lost from scams. Plus, we offer a no-win, no-fee service. You won’t pay a thing unless we recover your money.

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Join satisfied clients who’ve recovered their lost funds with WRS.

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Falling victim to fraud can be overwhelming and distressing. You deserve expert guidance and support every step of the way. That’s what we’re here for.  

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Frequently asked questions

  • Can purchase scams happen through websites?

    Yes, it’s very common for purchase scams to happen through websites. Fake websites can be set up to advertise products at very discounted prices, much cheaper than competitor websites. Even though people may not be familiar with the website, it’s common for them to take the risk because of the savings. Websites can look very legitimate, and you may even see paid social adverts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Instagram and Pinterest, which adds to the trust element.

    If you’re thinking about purchasing from a website you’re not familiar with, there are a few things you can do to identify whether it is legitimate to help you avoid purchase scams:

    Reviews – make sure to look at review platforms for the website. If you can’t find many reviews, or the reviews don’t look real, then avoid at all costs as this may be a purchase scam.
    Spelling errors – websites created in a rush will often feature spelling errors, or you may notice errors in the website URL.
    Payment methods – if the website does not provide secure payment options, or it’s requested you pay via bank transfer by getting in touch with them over email, it’s very likely this is a purchase scam.
    Contact details – if there is no address, phone number or email address available, only a contact form, this is a sign the website may not be legitimate.
    Secure website – when you’re browsing, look for a lock symbol next to the URL, as this means the website is encrypted. However, these can be forged by purchase scammers, so this alone does not suggest a website is legitimate.

  • I think I’ve been a victim of a purchase scam, what do I do?

    The first thing you should do if you think you’re a victim of a purchase scam is to contact your bank. If the payment hasn’t yet gone through they may be able to stop it. This is usually only the case immediately following a payment, however, it’s absolutely worth calling. Even if there’s a bit of time between the payment and when you suspect it may be a scam, make sure to contact your bank. If the payment was made using a debit or credit card, there may be some protection in place, so make sure to ask whether this is the case in your scenario.

    After this, if the item was being sold through a platform like Facebook Marketplace or Ebay, make sure to report the user to the platform. This can help to prevent the person from scamming anyone else.

    Lastly, at WRS, we may be able to help you recover the money lost through purchase scams, so get in touch with us to arrange a consultation with one of our experts.

  • Is my bank responsible if I’m a victim of a purchase scam?

    It is unlikely that your bank will be responsible if you’re a victim of a purchase scam. However, if you’ve made the purchase with your debit or credit card, there may be some protection in place.

    The only eventuality where a bank will be fully responsible for any banking fraud is if there was a data breach as a result of insufficient data protection. Purchase scams involve a person being persuaded to make a purchase through a variety of different methods and then voluntarily sending the money, which is unrelated to the bank.

    However, if you do think you’re a victim of a purchase scam, make sure to call your bank. If it’s soon enough after the payment, they may be able to prevent the payment from going through. Failing this, they will provide guidance on what to do next and will inform you if there is anything they can do to help. You may be able to claim the money back through your bank depending on the bank and what has happened, however, this isn’t always the case.

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