On marketplaces such as Kleinanzeigen, buyers and sellers meet without knowing each other personally. Fraudsters exploit exactly that by working with advance payments, gift cards or fake payment pages. This guide shows the typical warning signs on both sides, explains the differences between payment methods and describes what to do if you have a suspicion.
Short answer: The most common warning signs are advance payments for transport or insurance, payment by gift card and links to supposed payment pages. The Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg advises not to pay transport costs in advance. According to its description, PayPal buyer protection only applies to the option “send money for goods and services”, not to “send money to friends and family” (page status: 28.04.2026). In case of doubt, a personal handover against cash is the safest choice.
The most important points at a glance
- If a buyer demands money for transport or insurance in advance, that is a clear warning sign.
- Payment by gift card, where you are asked to send a code by email, belongs to the known scams.
- Links to supposed payment pages can capture card details, so check every address before you enter anything.
- According to the Verbraucherzentrale, PayPal buyer protection only applies to the appropriate payment option.
- Report suspicious listings to the platform operator and file a report if you suspect fraud.
Caution with advance payments
Advance payments are the most frequent trap, because the money is gone at once and the goods never arrive. The Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg describes several variants that differ in their justification but all lead to the same aim. The table below summarises them.
| Scam | Warning sign | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Advance payment for transport | A supposed buyer abroad asks for a transfer to a freight company | Withdraw from the sale and do not pay transport costs in advance |
| Advance payment as a buyer | Goods are offered through fake shops or hacked accounts, and the money goes to the fraudsters | Pay only by secure routes and check the offer independently |
| Payment by Western Union | Supposedly for bail or transfer costs, and the money is hard to recover | Do not send money through transfer services to strangers |
| Overpaid cheque | You are asked to pay back the difference, and the cheque bounces later | Never return the difference before the cheque has been credited |
Gift cards, links and the shipping trick
Another known variant involves gift cards. A supposed buyer abroad wants to give you a gift card and asks you to buy it and send the code by email. Once passed on, such a code is generally lost. Link traps also exist: a supposedly failed payment leads to a fake page that asks for card details including the security code. The Verbraucherzentrale also mentions cases with QR codes that lead to input pages, as well as fake “pay securely” links.
In the shipping trick, you receive money from a hacked account and send the goods, for example to a parcel station. Later the bank demands the money back, and you have lost both money and goods. As a buyer, a manipulated account can also cause harm when payments flow to a third person. Check therefore whether the payment really comes from the account holder before you ship anything.
Payment methods and buyer protection
Not every payment method offers the same protection. With PayPal, buyer protection depends on the option chosen. According to the Verbraucherzentrale, “send money to friends and family” carries no buyer protection and no refund. Protection only applies to the option “send money for goods and services”. If a seller insists that you use the friends and family option, that counts as a warning sign.
With hacked accounts, money received must be paid back, even if it has already been transferred. If you receive a payment that does not clearly match the transaction, you should not ship the goods hastily.
Recognising fraud when you sell
As a seller you often meet buyers who want to pay quickly, ask for shipping abroad or give unusual details. The Verbraucherzentrale points to contradictions, for example a seller in Hamburg with a Spanish bank account. Such inconsistencies are not proof, but they are a reason to look more closely. Do not hand over goods without secure payment, and do not share payment data in messages.
Recognising fraud when you buy
As a buyer, fake offers and advance payments are the greatest danger. The Verbraucherzentrale gives the basic rule of not paying transport or insurance costs in advance. Personal handover against cash or secure payment routes are the preferred solution. Also check offers that sit well below the usual price, and compare photos, descriptions and profile details.
Why platforms alone do not protect you
Marketplaces check users and listings, but they cannot review every message. Responsibility for the payment therefore often rests with you. A hint from the platform is a good starting point, but it does not replace your own check. Anyone who judges a transaction by gut feeling often misses the small deviations that reveal fraud.
Fraudsters also use time pressure. An offer that is only valid for a few minutes, or a buyer who insists on “today or never”, is meant to push you into a quick decision. Do not let yourself be rushed. A genuine transaction can cope with a short pause to check the payment route and the details.
Frequently asked questions
Is a personal handover always safe?
It is regarded as the preferred route, because you can check goods and money directly. Even so, inspect banknotes carefully and, for larger amounts, meet in a public place and bring someone with you.
Must I pay transport costs in advance if the buyer insists?
No. The Verbraucherzentrale expressly advises against paying transport or insurance costs in advance. If the buyer demands exactly that, the sale should not go ahead according to its recommendation.
Whom do I report suspicious listings to?
The Verbraucherzentrale recommends reporting suspicious listings to the platform operator. If you suspect fraud, you can file a criminal complaint, in Hamburg for example through the online police station. Secure emails and screenshots beforehand.
What do I do if I have already paid?
Inform your bank immediately and file a report with the police. Secure all messages, profile details and payment receipts. The sooner you act, the more likely it is that payments can still be stopped or recovered, although the outcome depends on the individual case.
What to do now
- Check the offer or the buyer for contradictions, for example in bank details, address and the language of messages.
- As a buyer, never pay transport or insurance costs in advance and use only clear payment routes.
- As a seller, do not release goods before the incoming payment has been clearly checked.
- Do not click links in messages that ask for payments or card details, and open the platform yourself instead.
- Report suspicious listings to the platform and file a report if you have suffered a loss.
Related guides
- Recognising fake online shops
- Parcel phishing: how to recognise fake delivery notifications
- Defective online order: how to complain correctly
- Hacked social media account: the first steps for students
- Consumer rights in everyday life: protection against fraud and unfair contracts
Sources: Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg: fraud schemes on Kleinanzeigen (page status: 28.04.2026)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
