Online marketplace scams on the rise, as scammers target buyers looking for spring deals
The latest Barclays Scams Bulletin shows that online marketplace scams are on the rise as fraudsters increasingly target shoppers seeking deals on these platforms. The Bank is advising caution as decluttering for spring begins and is calling for tech companies to do more to stop scams at source.
New research from Barclays reveals one in four consumers (23%) plan to sell their unwanted items on online marketplaces this spring.
However, the surge in popularity of these shopping platforms has meant fraudsters are employing tactics to exploit buyers and sellers online. Nearly two in five (38%) consumers have either fallen victim to, or know someone who has been targeted, by an online marketplace scam.
Barclays data shows that of all scam claims made so far this year, almost half (49%) were scams that originated on an online or social media marketplace, an increase of more than six percentage points compared to the same period in 2024.
Gen Zs most at risk
Younger generations are more likely to use online marketplaces to seek out a bargain and sell unwanted items. One in three of those aged 18-34 (30%) say they shop on these platforms compared to one in five of those aged 55+ (18%)
Older shoppers are also more wary of the potential pitfalls, with seven in 10 (71%) reluctant to buy products via online social shopping platforms due to concerns around safety, quality and reliability.
So far this year, Barclays scam claim data shows three in four (74%) scam reports made by customers aged 20 and under originated on online or social media marketplaces, compared to 44% among 51-60 year olds .