Do you enjoy selling your used items on platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist? While most transactions are smooth, the most frustrating experience is dealing with a dishonest buyer.
What is a "Dishonest Buyer" Scam?
This is when a buyer receives your item and then makes false claims (e.g., "it's damaged," "it's not as described") to demand a partial refund. They exploit the seller's fear of negative feedback and platform disputes. Even worse, some may swap your item with a broken or fake one and then file for a return.
Today, I'll teach you a very simple but effective method to identify these potential scammers before you ship your item, significantly reducing your risk of getting cheated.
The Core Idea: Verify the Shipping Address's Authenticity
A common tactic used by professional scammers is to have a mismatch between their physical location and the shipping address. They might be in one city but ask you to ship the item to a different city. This address could be fake or belong to an accomplice, making it harder for you to take any action if a dispute arises.
Our method is to use the buyer's IP address to see if their browsing location (city) matches the shipping address city.
Prepare a "Bait" Link
While communicating with the buyer, you can casually send them a link. This link can be anything, for example:
- "Here are some more detailed photos of the item." (Upload photos/videos to a cloud service and get a shareable link.)
- "Here is the official user manual for this model, you can check it out." (Find a link to the product's official manual.)
- "I can offer free shipping. Can you confirm if this courier serves your area?" (A link to a courier's website.)
The key is to make the link look normal and relevant to the conversation.
Shorten the Link with an IP Tracking Tool
Now, don't send the original link directly. Go to iplogger.icu, paste your "bait" link into the box, and generate a new, trackable short link.
Send the Link and Check the IP Address
Send this new short link to the buyer. Once they click on it, you can go to your iplogger.icu dashboard to see the IP address information of the click, including the most important detail: the geographic location (city).
Compare the Cities and Make a Judgment
Now, compare the two pieces of information:
- The city from the IP address: This is where the buyer is actually located.
- The city in the shipping address: This is where they want you to send the item.
🚩 Red Flag! Be Cautious If:
The IP address shows the buyer is in City A (e.g., Los Angeles), but the shipping address is in a distant City B (e.g., Miami), and they can't provide a reasonable explanation (like "I'm buying it for a family member").
This is a strong indicator of a "location mismatch," a major red flag for professional scammers.
What to Do If You Find a Mismatch?
You have a few options:
- Cancel the transaction: This is the safest approach. You can make up an excuse like, "Sorry, I can't find the item anymore," or "My family decided they want to keep it." Avoid directly accusing them of being a scammer to prevent unnecessary conflict.
- Ask them to change the address: You can politely say, "For transaction security, the shipping address needs to match your current location."
- Document everything: If you still decide to proceed, make sure to take a detailed video of the packing process. Record the item's serial number (if any), the entire packing procedure, and the final package with the shipping label attached. Keep all chat logs as evidence.
Conclusion
The goal of this method is verification, not confrontation. It gives you more control by leveraging information the buyer doesn't know you have. While it can't prevent 100% of scams, it can effectively filter out many opportunistic and dishonest buyers, making your online selling experience much safer and more pleasant.