Is this order or prize text from eBay a scam?
Scammers impersonate trusted retailers like eBay with fake order-problem, prize and gift-card messages. A text, email or message that looks like it's from eBay can be genuine — but it can just as easily be a scam built to look identical. The good news: a few quick checks almost always tell a real eBay message from a fake.
Genuine eBay links only ever go to ebay.com, ebay.com.au. Below is exactly what a real eBay message looks like, the scams currently circulating in its name, the red flags that give a fake away, and a real example to compare against. Got a message in front of you? Check it now for an instant verdict.
What a real eBay message looks like
Genuine messages from eBay only ever link to ebay.com, ebay.com.au.
- Emails from eBay always use an @ebay.com or @ebay.com.au address
- Genuine eBay messages about purchases or sales only appear inside your My eBay inbox or the official eBay app
- Real eBay emails never ask you to click a link to complete payment or release funds
- eBay will never send an SMS from a random mobile number asking you to pay outside the site
- Account or order updates arrive from the same sender address every time and contain your actual item title or order number
Crucially, eBay will never tell you that you've won a prize you didn't enter, or ask for card details to 'release' an order, over SMS.
Common eBay scams
- Scammers send a fake 'invoice' or 'payment received' email that looks like it is from eBay but contains a link to an off-platform payment page
- Buyers are told the seller will only accept payment via direct bank transfer or gift cards instead of using eBay's checkout
- Fraudsters pose as eBay or PayPal support and claim there is an issue with your listing or recent purchase that must be fixed immediately by logging in through their link
Red flags to watch for
- The message asks you to pay or send money outside eBay using bank transfer, Western Union or cryptocurrency
- The email address ends in something other than ebay.com or ebay.com.au, such as ebay-secure-login.com
- Urgent language claims your account will be suspended unless you click the link right now
- The message contains spelling errors or odd formatting that real eBay transaction emails never show
- You are directed to a website that is not ebay.com.au to complete the purchase or resolve a problem
Scam text examples
Here's a real example of a scam message impersonating eBay, with the tell-tale red flags highlighted. Compare it against anything you've received.
Subject: Payment issue with your recent eBay purchase Hi, your payment for the Samsung Galaxy Watch has not cleared. Please complete the transaction here: ebay-invoice-resolution.com to avoid cancellation.
What gives it away:
- The message asks you to pay or send money outside eBay using bank transfer, Western Union or cryptocurrency
- The email address ends in something other than ebay.com or ebay.com.au, such as ebay-secure-login.com
- Urgent language claims your account will be suspended unless you click the link right now
- The message contains spelling errors or odd formatting that real eBay transaction emails never show
- You are directed to a website that is not ebay.com.au to complete the purchase or resolve a problem
Not sure about your message?
Paste the suspicious eBay text or email and get an instant scam verdict, free.
How to verify a message from eBay
- Log in at ebay.com.au or through the official eBay app and check messages in My eBay
- Type ebay.com.au yourself in the address bar rather than clicking any link in an email
Where to report a scam impersonating eBay
Received — or fell for — a message impersonating eBay? Report it. It helps authorities and carriers shut the campaign down for everyone who gets the next one.
- Scamwatch — Report the scam to the ACCC's national scam service.
- ReportCyber — Report cybercrime and financial loss to the police.
- ACMA — Report scam texts and spam SMS or calls.
- Forward to 7226 (SPAM) — Forward the scam SMS to short code 7226 so your carrier can block the source.
- IDCARE — Free identity and cyber support if your details were taken.
Frequently asked questions
I received an eBay email with a payment link — is it a scam?
Yes. Real eBay payments are completed only inside the official site or app at checkout; any email asking you to click a payment link is fraudulent.
Can eBay ask me to pay via bank transfer?
No. eBay policy requires all payments to be made through its platform using PayPal or an accepted card. Requests for bank transfer are always scams.
How do I check if an eBay message is genuine?
Log directly into ebay.com.au or the official app and look for the message in your My eBay inbox. If it is not there, it is fake.
Where should I report a fake eBay invoice email?
Forward the email to spoof@ebay.com and report it at scamwatch.gov.au so authorities can track the impersonation campaign.
Related scam types
Scams impersonating eBay usually fit one of these patterns. Learn how each works:
Related brands
Other retail names scammers impersonate — check a message from one:
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice — always verify with eBay through an official channel.