On 1 November 2026, consumer advice centres and police forces in Germany again urged caution when trading on the platform Vinted . Investigations and reports from several federal states show that various types of fraud have persisted since 2024 and have continued to evolve technologically, affecting buyers and private sellers alike.
The main dangers include fake payment pages, phishinglinks and manipulative refund requests. The platform advises users to use only its internal payment system and not to click on external links. The “Buyer Protection” feature is intended to protect purchases, but is deliberately imitated by criminals; the consumer advice centre therefore urges particular caution with unsolicited emails or chat links.
One common scam involves pretending that a payment has been made or asking people to transfer money using PayPal’s so-called “Friends and Family” option. Consumer advice centres have documented cases in which buyers were then left with neither the goods nor protection from the platform. Also common are “refund scams” and phishing sites that ask for login details or credit card information.
Sellers face additional risks: advice centres regularly report unauthorised sharing of photos showing items being worn, as well as shipped goods being replaced on receipt with inferior or different items. The consumer advice centre therefore recommends presenting goods in a neutral way, using secure postage and documenting parcels being opened in the presence of the delivery driver.
Police headquarters in several regions advise people not to disclose personal information when contacted suspiciously, to notify their bank immediately about unauthorised payments and to report the incident to the police. Using the platform’s official help pages and checking ratings and profile history are also among the recommended precautions.
Those affected can face cumbersome legal proceedings, as perpetrators are often based abroad and gathering evidence can be difficult. The main protection is to remain vigilant: do not follow external links, use only official payment channels, contact your bank about unusual payment requests and keep evidence.
The joint warning from the consumer advice centre, Polizei and the platform itself highlights that, while second-hand marketplaces offer opportunities for more sustainable consumption, they continue to pose a systemic security risk to users. Specific advice and reporting channels are described on the help pages of the organisations involved.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).