Mercari scams: What you need to know

Mercari is a mobile-friendly marketplace where anyone can easily buy and sell new or second-hand items. The app has a simple listing process, a secure payment system, and a nationwide reach that make it attractive to people wanting to declutter, find unique deals, or earn some extra cash. 

Mercari users are looking for bargains and want things like pre-owned electronics, clothing, and appreciate Mercari’s simple, mobile-friendly format. Still, like any peer-to-peer marketplace, Mercari can attract scammers who wish to exploit the relationship between users. The app has several safeguards in place to protect buyers and sellers, but understanding how Mercari scams work can help you protect yourself. 

This guide will break down who Mercari scammers target and share practical steps to avoid common scams.

How Mercari scams happen (and who’s at risk)

Can you get scammed on Mercari? Yes, anyone can be a target. The platform is similar to Facebook Marketplace, where everyday users are both buyers and sellers. As the site grows more popular, more bad actors gravitate toward the platform. With this in mind, is Mercari safe? 

Generally, Mercari is a safe platform to use, but bad actors can still scam buyers and sellers if they’re not careful. Similar to Facebook Marketplace scams, Mercari scammers may use deceptive listings and offline communication to bypass the platform’s protections. While eliminating all the risk of scams is impossible, buyers and sellers should understand common Mercari scams and how bad actors operate. 

Common Mercari scams to watch out for

Online shopping can be risky if you’re not careful, and Mercari fraud can happen to buyers and sellers alike. Many of these scams occur on any online shopping platform, but here are the most likely ones you may encounter on Mercari.

Fake listings and counterfeit items

Does Mercari sell fakes? No, but scammers do create fake listings and sell counterfeit items on the platform. It’s common to see Mercari scammers create fake listings for high-demand items like designer handbags or gaming consoles, often at prices that seem too good to be true. Typically, a buyer will send a payment to the seller, then receive either a counterfeit item—convincing enough to fool inexperienced buyers—or nothing at all.

Fake customer support scams

Posing as a customer service representative is a common tactic for bad actors online. To fool their targets, scammers will impersonate Mercari support staff and may contact users through text, email, or in-app messages. They may also claim that your account was locked and you need to “verify” your account with personal information, such as a Social Security number or payment details, to regain access. 

They may also try to trick you by sending links or forms to “fix” your locked account. Don’t fall for it—these are all techniques used to steal your account password, payment information, and even your driver’s license and potentially commit identity theft.

Off-platform payment requests

It’s not uncommon for Mercari scams to involve third-party payment methods. A scammer may tell you that there is an issue with their account and suggest using an off-platform payment app. Bad actors try similar tactics when trying to run different off-platform scams, such as Zelle scams. 

Here’s how a Mercari scam might work: 

1. A buyer reaches out to a seller to buy an item. 
2. The seller urges the buyer to use an off-platform payment app, claiming it could save on fees or speed up delivery. 
3. After the buyer pays them, the seller never sends the item.
4. Because the buyer used an off-platform payment app, they lose Mercari’s buyer protections.

Overpayment scams

Many scams target buyers, but can you get scammed on Mercari as a seller? Yes, and another common scam involves bad actors sending sellers a payment for more than the item’s asking price. To “fix” their mistake, they ask the seller to refund the difference.

If the seller falls for the trick, the scammer reverses the original payment. Sometimes, the original payment is fraudulent. In any case, the seller is now missing an item and has also sent the refund to the scammer. 

Bait-and-switch scams

These scams are just what they sound like. A seller deliberately posts a listing that attracts buyers with a well-priced, high-quality item. Once a scammer draws a buyer in and the buyer pays for the item, the seller usually sends a lower-quality or damaged item. 

In most cases, the item the scammer sends is unrelated to the listing. Bad actors running this scam may also post unclear item descriptions or upload misleading photos. This way, they can still claim that the item technically matches the listing. 

Buyers can still open a dispute using Mercari’s in-app process, but they need to act quickly, as there are strict filing deadlines. 

Phishing scams

Like many scamming techniques, phishing schemes are always evolving. Bad actors can create convincing texts, emails, or login pages designed to capture your Mercari account credentials. Often, Mercari scammers use malicious links made to look like the platform’s login page. 

Instead of logging in, victims unknowingly transfer their login information to the scammer, who can then use the compromised account to trick other Mercari users.

Return scams

Mercari fraud doesn’t always happen during an initial online transaction. Sometimes, dishonest buyers request a return and claim they received the wrong item or that it was damaged. Instead of sending back the correct item, they send back something different—or even an empty package. 

Sellers end up losing both the original item they sold and the payment.

Fake or misleading tracking numbers

A buyer recently bought an item on Mercari, and the seller provided a tracking number. The buyer waits a few days and realizes their tracking information isn’t updating. After rechecking the tracking number, they discover that it isn’t valid. 

This is how some sellers scam buyers by using tracking numbers for a different customer’s package. The scammer’s goal isbto keep the buyer from realizing they were scammed until it’s too late.

Red flags that signal a Mercari scam

After hearing about all the risks of online shopping with Mercari, you may be asking: Is Mercari a scam? No, most transactions on Mercari are legitimate, but scammers may target buyers and sellers who aren’t cautious. Before buying or selling products on Mercari, review the user’s profile and watch for any red flags that could indicate a scam.

Watch for these warning signs before completing any transactions on Mercari: 

• Prices that are far below market value for brand-name or high-demand items. 
  
• Overly urgent or aggressive messages trying to convince you to act quickly. 
  
• Profiles with little or no history on the platform; they may also use deliberately vague descriptions or only stock images. 
  
• Poor grammar, misspellings, or inconsistent communication usually suggest that the user isn’t legitimate. 
  
• Sudden requests for personal information, such as email addresses or phone numbers, before the purchase. 
  
• Unwillingness to use Mercari’s in-app messenger or approved payment methods. 
  
• Constant excuses involving supposed delays, system errors, or shipping issues.
  

What to do if you’ve been scammed on Mercari

If you used Mercari and think you were scammed, acting quickly can limit the damage bad actors can do. In some cases, Mercari may cover the fraudulent transaction and help you get your money back. Here are the steps you should take after getting scammed on the platform: 

Report the scam in-app

1. Open the Mercari app and locate the transaction details. Then, tap Contact Us and explain the issue to the representative. 
2. Include any messages, tracking information, or screenshots to help the Mercari team with your case.

Reach out to Mercari customer support

1. Go to Mercari’s official help center and click Contact Us to file a formal complaint.
2. Only use the app or official website to speak with customer service. 

File a chargeback with your bank or credit card company

1. Buyers who paid with a credit or debit card should contact their bank immediately. 
2. Provide as many details as possible about the situation, along with any proof of the issues you described.

Understand what Mercari will and won’t cover

1. Any transactions or payments made with off-platform payment apps aren’t eligible for refunds. 
2. The Mercari Buyer Protection policy applies only to transactions made through the platform.

Report the incident to law enforcement

1. In high-value scams, it may be beneficial to file a police report or report the incident to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

If you’ve been targeted by fraud on Mercari, you can call Mercari customer support at 888-325-2168 to report the issue. You should also notify law enforcement to create an official record of the incident. You can get more guidance on how to avoid money transfer fraud by visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s website. 

Be vigilant, protect your online privacy, and don’t exchange your personal information with anyone.

How to avoid Mercari scams in the future

Like many online companies, Mercari has systems in place to help buyers and sellers avoid scams. While the platform can’t stop all scams, its protections include:

• ID verification that prevents scammers from withdrawing funds to an account associated with a different name. 
  
• A rating system for buyers and sellers, which allows you to see another user’s reputation before starting any transactions. 
  
• Product monitoring allows users to find and remove counterfeit products and protect themselves.
  
• An escrow payment plan involving a third party that holds the buyer’s funds until they receive the item. 
  
• Buyer protections, which include a 3.6% fee on the item price and up to 72 hours to report any order issues to their support team.

Despite these protections, Mercari users shouldn’t just rely on the platform to keep their personal information safe. They should also be proactive and use precautions when using the internet. There are steps that both buyers and sellers can take to avoid getting scammed:

For Buyers

• Always stay on-platform. Only communicate and pay within the Mercari app to qualify for Buyer Protection. 
  
• Research the seller. Check the seller’s ratings and number of completed transactions, and read recent reviews.
  
• Inspect listing photos. Try to avoid listings that use stock photos or low-quality images, as they can be intentionally misleading. 
  
• Ask for more images. You can request additional images to get better angles of the item and check for damage. Scammers may refuse if they don’t actually own the item.
  
• Never share your personal information. Sellers should never need your payment details or personal information to complete a transaction. Don’t share your information outside of the Mercari app. The more information scammers get, the more exposed your digital footprint becomes.
  
• If it’s too good to be true – it probably is. Be skeptical of listings with deep discounts on high-demand items, as they are often a red flag.
  
• Don’t rate the seller too early. Scammers may ask you to rate the experience before you receive the item. Don’t do it. Once you rate the seller, you won’t be able to request a refund.

For Sellers

• Ship only after payment is confirmed. Don’t accept “proof of payment” screenshots; users can send fake images. Use the Mercari app to confirm purchases. 
  
• Use tracking with delivery confirmation. Use tracking and delivery confirmation as proof if a buyer claims they never received the item.
  
• Document your item’s condition. Take several clear photos of the item’s condition before shipping to protect yourself against false return claims.
  
• Watch for overpayment scams. Scammers may try to send extra money for “shipping” or “insurance” reasons. Decline these offers and only accept the sale price, which should include all shipping and insurance costs.
  
• Decline off-platform sales – Fake buyers may try to convince you to move the transaction off Mercari to avoid detection. Always say no to these requests. Mercari accepts most major credit cards, PayPal, and Venmo.
  
• Never send refunds outside of the platform. A buyer may claim they paid too much for the item. Always issue refunds within the Mercari app.

These steps will help buyers and sellers lower their risk of falling for Mercari scams, while keeping their transactions covered by Mercari protections. Check the Mercari help center for more information about how to protect yourself from fraud.

FAQs

Are there scams on Mercari?

Yes, there are scams on Mercari due to bad actors. The online marketplace is generally safe to use for buyers and sellers who are cautious and aware of common Mercari scams. Scams usually include fake listings, phishing attempts, off-platform payment requests, and more. 

What happens if you get scammed on Mercari?

If you get scammed on Mercari, immediately report the issue through the app. Contact your bank if you believe your payment details were compromised, and include all the evidence you gathered (messages, transaction receipts, or tracking numbers). Mercari may offer buyer or seller protection based on the situation, but coverage isn’t guaranteed.

How can I report fraud on Mercari?

You can report any suspicious activity in the app or by calling their hotline at 888-325-2168. In some cases, you should also file a report with law enforcement and the FTC.

Can Mercari ban scam accounts?

Yes, Mercari will remove accounts involved in fraudulent activities once its team confirms it. However, vigilance is always necessary, as scammers may create new accounts to continue their illegal activities.