Mercari has become a go-to app for buyers and resellers looking to buy and sell vintage clothes, electronics, and home goods. While most Mercari users want a fair trade, the platform’s popularity also attracts a few bad actors. These scammers use sneaky tactics to trick both buyers and sellers out of their hard-earned cash or inventory.
Protecting yourself starts with knowing exactly what to look for when you open the Mercari app. From fake customer support messages to shady off-platform payment requests, staying safe requires a sharp eye. You should always trust your gut if a deal feels a little too good to be true.
Thankfully, you can easily spot the red flags before any money changes hands. This guide will break down the most common Mercari scams and provide simple steps to keep your account secure.
Types of Mercari Scams
1- Listing Fake or Counterfeit Items as Authentic Scam
There are Scammers on Mercari that often list counterfeit or fake items like designer bags or high-end electronics, claiming they are real.
You’ll find dozens of posts on Mercari Subreddit where buyers are claiming they’ve purchased a branded item only to find out later that it’s fake. Here’s one example:
These scammers often use stock photos from official websites instead of taking their own pictures. This makes it hard to see the actual quality of the item you are buying.
If the price seems way too low for a luxury brand, it is likely a fake.
To stay safe, always look for the “Mercari Authenticate” badge on luxury item listings. This badge means independent experts checked the item for authenticity.
You should also ask the seller to provide a photo of the original receipt or serial number. If a seller refuses to send more photos, do not buy the item. Real sellers want you to feel confident in your purchase.
Moreover, always check the seller’s profile and read their past reviews before spending a lot of money. While buying fake items is a risk for buyers, sellers also face dangers like the return scam.
2- Return Scam
The return scam happens when a dishonest buyer tries to steal your item after receiving it. He will claim the item arrived broken or is not what he ordered.
Later, he will ask Mercari for a return and a full refund. Instead of shipping the original item back, he will send a box filled with trash or a broken version of the same product.
You can protect yourself from this scam by taking detailed photos of your item from every angle before you ship it. Also, document the serial number and any unique marks on the product.
Use Mercari’s official shipping labels so the app can track the package for you. If a buyer sends back a different item, these photos will serve as your proof to Mercari support.
Keeping a good record of the shipped orders is the best way to win a dispute if a buyer tries this trick.
3- Bait-and-Switch Scam
In a bait-and-switch scam, a seller lists a high-quality product but sends you something much cheaper. For example, you might buy a brand-new video game console but receive a broken one instead.
The seller hopes you will “rate” them quickly without checking the box. Once you rate a seller, Mercari releases the funds, and you can no longer get a refund.
Never rush to rate your seller the moment the package hits your porch. Open the box immediately and test the item to make sure it works as described.
Compare the item in your hands to the photos in the original listing. If the item is wrong or broken, do not rate the seller under any circumstances.
Contact Mercari support through the app within three days to start a return request. This stops the payment from going to the scammer. While checking your items is important, you must also watch out for buyers who offer too much money.
4- Overpayment Scam
The overpayment scam starts when a buyer offers to pay more than your asking price. They often send a screenshot of a fraudulent digital payment or a photo of a fake check for a much higher amount.
Then, they claim they made a mistake and ask you to send the “extra” cash back to them. By the time you realize the payment is fake, you have already sent them your real money.
You should never accept any form of payment that does not go through the Mercari app. Scammers use this trick because it takes banks several days to process checks and find fraud.
They want to rush you into sending money before the bank catches the error. A legit Mercari buyer will simply use the “Buy Now” button on the listing.
If a buyer on Mercari asks for your phone number or email to “send a check,” report them to Mercari immediately. While overpayment targets your cash, phishing scams aim for your entire account login.
Also Read: Best Reseller Sites Like Mercari
5- Phishing Scam
Phishing is a trick where scammers send fake emails or texts that look like they are from Mercari.
These messages often sound urgent and claim there is a problem with your account or a recent sale.
They provide a link that leads to a fake website designed to steal your password. If you enter your login details, the scammer can take over your account and steal your balance.
Always check the sender’s email address very carefully before you click any links. Real Mercari emails will only come from an official “@mercari.com” address.
If the email looks messy or uses a generic address like “mercari-support@gmail.com,” it is a scam. These fake sites often look identical to the real Mercari login page.
The safest habit is to ignore links in emails and go directly to the official Mercari app or website. Keeping your login safe is important, but you must also keep your transactions on the platform.
6- Request to Pay via a Third-Party App Scam
One of the most common Mercari scams is when a user asks to finish a transaction using an app like Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App.
They might say they want to “avoid fees” or claim their Mercari payment system is broken. However, paying outside of Mercari means you lose all “Buyer Protection.”
Also, if the seller never ships the item, Mercari cannot help you get your money back.
Third-party apps are meant for sending money to friends and family, not for business deals with strangers.
Scammers love these apps because the payments are usually permanent and cannot be reversed.
Once you send the money, the scammer will often block you and delete their account. You are left with no item and no way to recover your lost funds.
Always refuse any request to move the conversation or payment off the Mercari app. Staying on the platform protects your money until you receive your order.
7- Fake Customer Support Scam
The fake customer support scam involves people pretending to be Mercari employees to get your private information. They may contact you through social media, email, or even direct messages inside the app.
These scammers often claim your account is “under review” or has a security threat. They will ask for your password, a verification code, or your bank account details.
Remember, Mercari staff will never ask for your password or a one-time login code. Official support only talks to you through the “Help Center” in the app or verified email addresses.
If someone asks you to download a “security app” or send money to “verify” your account, hang up or stop chatting. These hackers want to lock you out of your account to steal your earnings.
If you need help, always start the conversation yourself through the official Mercari Help Center. This ensures you are speaking to a real representative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are scams common on Mercari?
While most sales go smoothly, scams are a reality on any online marketplace, be it Mercari or eBay. You will mostly see “bait-and-switch” scams or people trying to lure you off Mercari to pay via Venmo or Cash App. As long as you stay on the platform and check seller ratings, your risk of getting scammed stays very low.
How do I know if someone is scamming me on Mercari?
Red flags include prices that are “too good to be true” or profiles with zero reviews and weird usernames. If a buyer or seller asks for your phone number or wants to pay outside the app, stop talking to them immediately. Always trust your gut if a deal feels “off.”
Can I get a refund after being scammed on Mercari?
Yes, in certain cases, you will get a refund after being scammed on Mercari, but you must act fast. You have exactly 72 hours after item delivery to inspect your item and report an issue before the money is released to the seller. As long as you don’t rate the seller and you keep the transaction on the app, Mercari’s Buyer Protection will cover your refund.
