From Bargain To Scam? Vinted Red Flags Every Parent Should Know This Christmas

Money is tight for so many of us right now. Around Christmas, especially, second-hand apps like Vinted can feel like a total lifesaver… Cheaper kids’ clothes, winter coats, gifts that don’t blow the budget.

And because these platforms feel legit and established, you assume there’s a safety net. You assume this kind of thing just wouldn’t be able to happen.

But my recent experience has shown me that while the platform itself is real and widely used, scammers are absolutely using it to make money. I don’t want to bash Vinted because there are loads of genuine buyers and sellers on there, and in many cases, you can get your money back if you’ve been scammed, but I do want to make people more aware of how these scams work so you don’t have to go through the heartache and hassle in the first place!

I’m sharing exactly what happened, the red flags I missed, and what you can do if you’re in that horrible “have I just thrown my money away?” limbo. This is for you if you’re already worried you’ve been scammed, and for you if you’re about to hit “buy” and want to avoid the same mistake.

I’ll also update in the comments of this post with what actually happens in my case, because at the time of writing, I’m still half-hoping my coat turns up!

What Happened With My Vinted Purchase

I bought what I thought was a lovely Damson Madder coat for myself. The listing looked decent, the price was good but not ridiculous, and in that “this will be perfect for winter” and “wow, what a bargain” rush, I just went for it.

Only afterwards did everything start to feel off.

First, I realised the seller had been blocked. After I’d paid. One minute they were there, the next their account was showing as blocked. That usually means the platform has flagged something: rule-breaking, suspicious behaviour, or multiple complaints.

Then, I flagged this to Vinted, but the customer service bot calmed my nerves, and I thought I would wait a few hours. I thought I would quickly message the seller to ask when the item will be sent to seeif I could get a response… But as predicted, the seller never replied to any of my messages. No “thanks for your purchase”, no update, nothing. Assuming that because they had blocked. Or maybe they blocked themselves so we couldn’t chat.

Next, a few hours later on the same day of purchase, I got an email from Evri to say that the delivery details had changed to my next-door neighbour. Not by me. I hadn’t requested that, and I hadn’t agreed to it. I checked the tracking details and logged into Evri to change the address back to my doorstep.

Turns out, changing the address like that can be a way to muddy the waters so that later, if you complain, the scammer can hide behind “well, tracking says it was delivered”.

I did a bit of research on this because I didn’t understand how a seller could access these settings, and it turns out that with the tracking code and postcode, anyone can change the safe place preferences!

The final straw was when I saw the exact same photo of the coat reappear on Vinted the next morning, at the same price, but under a completely different account. Same picture, different username. That “new” seller also had a man’s name followed by random numbers, no profile picture, no reviews, no history. In hindsight, it screams “throwaway account”.

I also cannot view the listing I bought from, so that’s another red flag right there!

At this point, I’m assuming one of two things is going to happen: either I’ll receive a fake coat, or I’ll get some random item. A cheap T‑shirt, a bit of rubbish, even just a piece of paper, in a tracked parcel so they can say, “Look, I sent something.”

Shall we have a bet in the comments on what I am going to receive in a few days? If it’s a genuine Damson Madder jacket, I will eat one of the sleeves!

That “empty parcel / wrong item” trick is sadly a real scam people use, so my hopes are low on this.

It’s Not Just Vinted: My Etsy Hoodie Experience

To make it worse, this wasn’t the only time I’ve recently run into something dodgy while Christmas shopping second-hand.

My daughter asked for a really expensive hoodie for Christmas. I was trying to be sensible and find a second-hand one, so I started looking on Etsy after I’d already bought the coat on Vinted.

I found the hoodie listed with the official product photos. You know, the glossy images straight from the brand’s website. This time, after my Vinted experience, I messaged the seller to ask if the item was genuine.

They replied very nicely and said, “Of course, it’s handmade by us.”

Which basically admitted it was a fake. It wasn’t the same company that actually makes the hoodies, and they were using the official photos to sell their own copy. I also looked at this seller’s reviews, which were terrible 1-star accounts of items not arriving, and when they did arrive, they were really poor quality fakes.

Again, this was on a platform we think of as “safe” and “legit”. The platforms themselves are genuine, but that doesn’t mean every seller is. I still absolutely love Etsy and Vinted, both of which are my go-to shopping choices; I just want to make that clear.

The “Empty Parcel” Or “Random Item” Scam (The One I’m Expecting)

Here’s how this particular scam usually works:

You think you’re buying a genuine item – a branded coat, trainers, a bag. The seller sends a parcel with your name on it and a tracking number. On paper, it all looks legitimate. The app shows it as shipped and then delivered.

But when you open it, instead of your lovely coat, you find something completely different or completely worthless: a cheap, unrelated item, old paperwork, a magazine, even just a folded bit of paper.

The scammer’s hope is that:

• You’ll be too busy, embarrassed or overwhelmed to complain.
• You’ll confirm the order as “received” before properly checking.
• They can argue, “I did send something, here’s the tracking”, if you open a dispute.

If you’re reading this while waiting for a parcel and your stomach is in knots, wondering if that’s what’s about to happen to you: you’re not alone, and you’re not silly. Scammers rely on the fact that we’re tired, distracted, rushed and trying to save money. And that we trust the platform more than we probably should.

Red Flags I Missed (So You Don’t Have To)

Looking back, there were a few things I wish I’d paid more attention to before buying:

• The seller’s profile was bare: a man’s name with random numbers, no profile picture, no reviews, nothing that said “real person”. I usually check thoroughly, but this was 5 am in the morning, and I was about to get up to get myself ready for my school commute! It was a rushed, affordable impulse buy, basically.
• The photos were very good, actually. But they are usually limited and don’t show labels or close-up details.
• The price was good. Not outrageously low, but good enough to make me feel a bit “lucky”.
• I didn’t message the seller with any questions before buying, like asking for extra photos or confirming when they can send, which is usually my way of understanding if they are taking my purchase seriously.

On Etsy, with the hoodie, the red flag was the use of official brand photos, and the seller happily admitted it was “handmade by us” when I asked if it was genuine.

None of these things alone proves anything. But together – brand item, no reviews, random username, limited photos, no communication – they start to form a picture.

If you’re scrolling late at night or early in the morning (when I assume customer service teams are not working,) trying to grab a bargain before payday, it’s very easy to miss these signs. That doesn’t make you silly. It makes you human.

What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed On Vinted

The good news is: on platforms like Vinted, you often can get your money back, especially if you act quickly and keep everything inside the app. Here’s what I’d do.

1. Don’t Confirm The Order As Received

That “everything is OK” button in the app is for when you’ve actually got the right item in your hands, and you’re happy with it. Until then, leave it alone. Confirming too soon can make it much harder to get help.

2. Start Collecting Evidence Straight Away

Before anything disappears, grab:

• Screenshots of the listing (photos, description, price).
• Screenshots of the seller’s profile (username, join date, reviews, or lack of).
• Screenshots of your messages, even if you or they never replied.
• Screenshots of the tracking information, especially if the address has changed.
• Screenshots if you’ve seen the same photos reused by another account.

Keep all of this somewhere safe. You might need it.

3. Message Vinted Support Early

Don’t wait until everything has gone completely wrong. If you’re already getting a bad feeling – seller blocked, address changed, no replies – start a conversation with Vinted support through the app as soon as possible.

Explain:

• What you bought and when.
• Why you are concerned (blocked seller, reused photos, address change, no replies.)
• That you’re worried this may be a scam.

The earlier you flag it, the sooner they can look into it and, in many cases, help you get your money back if something is wrong.

4. If You’re Already Suspicious, Film The Unboxing

If you’re expecting the “piece of paper in a parcel” trick, plan to record yourself opening it. One continuous video showing:

• The label with your name and address.
• You opening the parcel.
• Exactly what’s inside.

This can be powerful evidence if you need to prove that you received something completely different or worthless.

5. If The Item Arrives And It’s Wrong Or Fake

If you open the parcel and it’s not what you ordered – whether it’s a fake, a damaged item, or just random junk:

• Take clear photos straight away: the packaging, the label, the contents.
• Don’t remove tags, wash it or try to fix anything.
• Go into the app and open a dispute as soon as you can.
• Explain clearly what you ordered, what you received, and why you believe it’s a scam.
• Attach your photos and video if you have them.

This is usually the route to getting your money back, as long as you stay within the platform and follow their process.

6. If The Tracking Says “Delivered” But You Don’t Have It

If tracking shows it’s been delivered but you haven’t got anything, or it’s been sent somewhere you didn’t choose (like straight to my neighbour):

• Contact Vinted support through the app immediately.
• Explain that the address was changed without your consent, or that you never received the parcel despite what tracking says.
• Share any screenshots that show the original delivery details vs the changed ones.

Again, the sooner you involve them, the better your chances of a refund.

7. Speak To Your Bank Or PayPal If Needed

If you’ve gone through the platform’s process and you’re still stuck, it can be worth speaking to your bank or PayPal about a chargeback or dispute. Explain that you believe you’ve been the victim of fraud and share your evidence.

How To Avoid Falling For The Same Trick Next Time

None of this is about blaming buyers (or making you not use Vinted – I still love it!) But a few small habits can make it harder for scammers to succeed, especially when we’re all trying to stretch every pound.

Before you buy:

• Take 30 seconds to look at the seller. Do they have any reviews? A profile picture? A bit of a bio? Have they sold similar items before? A completely blank account selling high-value items is a risk.
• Look closely at the photos. Are there clear shots of labels, tags and details, or does it all look a bit too glossy and “catalogue”? On Etsy or similar, are they using official brand photos but claiming the item is “handmade by us”? That’s a huge red flag.
• Trust your gut on price. There’s a difference between a fair second-hand price and something that makes you think, “How is it that cheap?”
• Keep everything inside the app. If someone suggests paying by bank transfer or PayPal friends & family “to save fees”, walk away. Your protection depends on the transaction staying on the platform.
• Once it’s shipped, keep an eye on the tracking. If the address changes or something looks odd, contact support straight away and don’t confirm receipt until you’ve opened and checked the item.

Quick Checklist: Common Vinted (And Resale) Scams To Watch For

If you’re skimming this with a baby on your hip and dinner in the oven, here’s the scannable bit.

1. Empty Parcel / Random Item Scam
   You order something decent. A parcel arrives with tracking, but inside is junk – a random T‑shirt, old paperwork, even just a piece of paper. The seller relies on tracking to “prove” they sent something.
2. Fake Branded Item Scam
   Designer or premium brand listed at a tempting price. Photos look like stock images, no close-ups of labels or stitching. On sites like Etsy, sellers might use official brand photos but say the item is “handmade by us”, which is basically admitting it’s a fake.
3. Account Hop / Duplicate Listing Scam
   The same photos keep appearing under different usernames. New accounts with no reviews, no profile picture, selling high-value items. Old accounts get blocked, new ones pop up with the same images.
4. Off-Platform Payment Scam
   Seller suggests bank transfer or PayPal friends & family to “save fees” or because “the app is playing up”. Once you pay outside the platform, your protection is gone, and the item may never arrive.
5. Address Change / Misdelivery Scam
   The item is marked as shipped, but the delivery address has been changed or entered incorrectly. Tracking shows “delivered”, but not to you. The seller hides behind the tracking.
6. Rushed Confirmation Scam
   Seller pressures you to confirm the order as received quickly – sometimes before you’ve even collected or opened the parcel. Once you confirm, it’s much harder to get help if there’s a problem.
7. Damaged Or Different Item Scam
   Listing shows a nice, good-condition item. You receive something heavily worn, damaged, or a different size/colour. The seller claims it was “shown in the photos” or that you “didn’t read the description”.

If any of these ring alarm bells with your current order, pause, gather evidence, message the platform’s support, and use their dispute process before clicking anything.

Second-Hand Is Still Brilliant, But Be Savvy

I’m still a big fan of buying second-hand. It’s better for the planet, it’s kinder on the bank balance, and you can find some absolute gems – especially for kids and Christmas.

But experiences like this are a reminder that we have to shop with our eyes open, even on legit platforms that feel safe.

If you’re here because you think you’ve been scammed, I’m really sorry. It’s a horrible, sickly feeling. Take a breath, collect your screenshots, and start messaging support sooner rather than later. In many cases, you can get your money back if you act quickly and keep everything inside the app.

And if you’re here before you hit “buy”, let my mistakes be your warning. Check the seller, look at the photos properly, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal that doesn’t feel quite right. There will always be another coat, another hoodie, another “bargain”.

Your peace of mind – and your Christmas budget – are worth more than any too-good-to-be-true listing.

Last Updated on November 26, 2025 by Lucy Clarke