Cryptocurrency Payment Scams

Individual Product or Service Purchases

If a seller on a site like Craigslist or eBay specifically requests Bitcoin or cryptocurrency as payment, that can be a good indicator to be extremely cautious. 

Never send Bitcoin to an online seller before you have received the goods or services for which you are paying. Because of the anonymity and irreversibility of the transaction, the fraudulent seller may steal your funds with little to no recourse.

eBay Motors

This pertains to the potential sale of vehicles from one person to the next. This eBay scam is fairly common, and more information can be found here: eBay safety. 

Scammers on Craigslist, Upwork, and other similar sites may request that a transaction be processed through “eBay,” and then send an email that appears to be from eBay, requesting cryptocurrency as payment. Make no payment unless it is made through the official eBay payment portal. 

If you have any doubts that you are a victim of eBay seller fraud, confirm your transaction and accounts with eBay directly before proceeding with any purchase.

Short Term Rentals

This includes sites such as AirBnB, Homeaway, and any other short-term rentals of property or vehicles. 

Customers will be asked to pay scammers directly via Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency rather than through the payment portals on the official company website. Scammers may also claim that they are not close to the property and that your initial payment in Bitcoin is proof that you are interested in it. 

These sites do not accept Bitcoin or cryptocurrency, and all payments to renters must be made through the official company’s online payment portal. Before completing any rental or purchase, always contact the company’s support line directly if you have any questions or concerns.