**Five Vinted Scams Consumers Should Be Aware of Ahead of Christmas Shopping**

As the festive season approaches, many people will be scouring second-hand retailer Vinted for deals on gifts. However, with the December rush comes a spike in scams that can leave consumers out of pocket.

Simon Pretswell, CEO of football shirt retailer UKSoccerShop, is warning shoppers to slow down and be vigilant when browsing Vinted listings. "Scammers count on the Christmas rush," he explains. "They know people aren't paying full attention, so they use that to their advantage."

Pretswell's advice is simple: always prioritize secure payment methods, thoroughly check seller reviews, and trust your instincts. If a listing looks too good to be true or the seller seems suspicious, don't hesitate to walk away.

**1. Being Asked to Pay Outside of Vinted**

One of the oldest tricks on Vinted is asking buyers to pay outside of the app. Sellers may offer a "better price" if you pay by bank transfer or PayPal instead of through Vinted's system. However, this is exactly when people get caught out.

"Never agree to pay outside Vinted's system," Pretswell warns. "The moment you send money directly, you lose all the protection the platform gives you." If the item never arrives or looks nothing like the photos, there's often no route to a refund.

**2. "Too Good to be True" Bargains**

Black Friday and Christmas do bring real bargains, but scammers know this and use it to their advantage. Luxury items or brand-name goods that are suddenly listed for an unreasonably low price should raise red flags.

"If a bargain looks too good to be true, slow down," Pretswell advises. "Check what similar items actually sell for (not just what they're listed for). Genuine sellers know the value of what they've got."

**3. Empty Package and "Wrong Item" Scams**

Some sellers send an empty package or something worthless, then rely on tracking to show it was delivered. For more expensive items, Pretswell suggests filming yourself opening the package for clear evidence.

"This kind of proof can make a big difference in a dispute," he states. "If the tracking shows delivery but the parcel was empty or wrong, you'll have something to back yourself up."

**4. Hacked Accounts**

Scammers often hack established Vinted accounts around Black Friday and Christmas to sell fake or stolen goods. If your go-to seller suddenly has loads of high-value items for next to nothing, don't brush it aside.

"Often it's the change in tone or behavior that's the giveaway," Pretswell says. "The profile is real, but the person using it isn't." Be wary of suspicious messages or listings with polished stock images.

**5. Counterfeit Goods**

Christmas is prime time for counterfeit goods, from bags and trainers to beauty sets and tech accessories. Scammers push out fake items that look convincing but have telltale signs.

Pretswell advises buyers to stick to listings with real photos and good reviews, and be wary of anything using only polished stock images. Asking for close-up photos of labels and stitching can also reveal counterfeits.