How to avoid marketplace scams in the UK
UK marketplace fraud costs £2.3bn a year (UK Finance) and 1 in 3 listings could be a scam (TSB). Most scams exploit the moment money changes hands.
Key points
- Never move to off-platform payment (bank transfer, gift cards, PayPal Friends & Family).
- Be wary of buyers who "overpay" or pressure you to ship before payment clears.
- Prefer a marketplace that holds the payment until the item is confirmed — like SilentSale.
How SilentSale protects both sides. SilentCover is SilentSale’s shared-protection model: both the buyer and the seller contribute a small amount, and the payment is held securely until the buyer confirms the item is as described — then it is released to the seller. Both sides are protected equally. For in-person deals, PIN Pickup holds the payment until a PIN is exchanged at the meetup, so no one relies on cash changing hands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common marketplace scam?
Being pushed off-platform to an untraceable payment, or paying for an item that never arrives. A held-payment model prevents both.
How does SilentSale reduce scams?
Verified accounts, up-front checks, and payment held until the buyer confirms — protecting both sides.
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