Purchase Scams
You pay for goods or services that never arrive. These scams often exploit popular online marketplaces and social media selling platforms.
PlayStation 5 Console — Brand New
£479.99
£89.00
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (247 reviews)
Common examples
Fake online shops
Copycat websites that take payment but send nothing.
Social media sellers
Fraudulent sellers on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
Marketplace fraud
Fake listings on eBay, Gumtree, or Vinted.
Ticket scams
Non-existent concert or event tickets.
Warning signs
- Prices significantly below market value
- Seller insists on bank transfer not PayPal or card
- No verifiable business address or contact
- Poor grammar or copied product descriptions
- Pressure to buy immediately
Your rights
Under the new APP fraud reimbursement rules, banks must reimburse victims of purchase scams where payment was made by bank transfer, in most circumstances.
Client Success Story
"I found what looked like a legitimate car dealership website and paid a £6,800 deposit via bank transfer. The car never existed. The 'dealer' stopped responding the same day the money left my account. My bank said it was an authorised payment and refused to help. Refund United escalated the case and recovered the full amount."
James W.
Birmingham · Purchase scam victim
Amount recovered
£6,800
How we helped: We argued that the bank's Confirmation of Payee check had returned a mismatch warning that was not adequately communicated to the client, and that the payment pattern matched known purchase fraud indicators. The Financial Ombudsman agreed and the bank refunded in full.
