Time is running out for eBay/Paypal to get a grip on fraud

Sellers will soon think the site isn’t worth the risk unless action is taken

There was a big response to our letter from the reader who lost around £1,100 after selling his Fender electric guitar on eBay. A shocking number of others reported being similarly scammed; others pointed out that Parcelforce would have been able to check the weight of the parcel at various points and should have been more helpful.

Reader DC said he now photographs the entire packing process. Readers could try this, but I’d still recommend cash in hand when selling high-value items. However, another reader was paid £300 cash after selling something on Gumtree and the cash turned out to be counterfeit – so be wary of that, too.

Ebay/PayPal need to get a grip of this growing fraud or sellers will start to realise the site is not worth the risk. Many users tell us they have already come to that conclusion.

We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at consumer.champions@theguardian.com or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number

Contributor

Miles Brignall

The GuardianTramp

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