Payment Bitcoin Scams

Individual Purchases

If a seller on a site like Craigslist or eBay is specifically requesting Bitcoin for payment, that can generally be a good indicator to be very cautious.

Never send Bitcoin to an online seller before receiving the goods/services you are paying for. Due to it’s anonymity and irreversibility, this can result in the fraudulent seller stealing your funds with little to no recourse available.

eBay Motors

This involves the potential sale of vehicles from one person to the next. This eBay scam is common and more detailed information may be found here: eBay security.

Scammers on Craigslist, Upwork, etc. may ask to process a transaction through “eBay” and will send an email that appears like it's from eBay requesting Bitcoin as payment.

Do not complete any payment unless it is through the official eBay payment portal. If you have any doubt that you’re victim to an eBay seller fraud, confirm your transaction and the accounts with eBay directly before completing any purchase.

Short Term Rentals

This Involves sites like AirBnB, Homeaway, or any other short term rentals for property or vehicles.

Scammers will ask customers to pay them directly via Bitcoin instead of through the payment portals on the official company website. Scammers may also state that they are not near the property and the initial payment in Bitcoin is proof that you are interested in the property.

These types of sites do not accept Bitcoin and all payments to renters should be made through the official company’s online payment portal only. Always contact the company support line directly if there are doubts or concerns before completing any rental or purchase.