Recognising scams on Tradera
Tradera is a popular online auction platform where many kinds of goods are sold and bought by auction and at fixed prices. Unfortunately, scammers have found it too. On this page we explain how to recognise common Tradera scams and how to protect yourself from them.
What is Tradera and how does it work?
Tradera is a Swedish online auction founded in 1999 that is now part of the PayPal group. The platform has millions of users mainly in the Nordic countries and is especially popular in Sweden. On Tradera, users can sell and buy items both by auction and at a fixed price.
- User accounts - Every user has a profile showing reviews and previous deals.
- Auctions - Sellers can list items for auction where buyers place bids.
- "Buy now" feature - Sellers can set a fixed price on items, at which the item can be bought directly.
- Payment intermediation - Tradera offers several payment methods, the most popular of which are PayPal, invoices and bank transfers.
- Review system - Buyers and sellers can review each other after a deal, which helps assess trustworthiness.
- Following and watch - Users can follow auctions and set watches on items of interest.
The most common scams on Tradera
- Manipulating the auction - The seller uses fake accounts to raise the item’s price or creates artificial competition.
- Counterfeit goods - A counterfeit branded item is sold as genuine, significantly below the market price.
- False listings - The photos do not match reality, or the item’s condition is described as better than it is.
- Undelivered items - The seller accepts the money but never sends the item.
- Payment-bypass scams - The seller asks you to pay by a method outside Tradera, whereby the buyer loses the Tradera platform’s and PayPal’s buyer protection.
- Identity theft - Scammers create profiles using the names of well-known users or brands.
- Forged receipts - The seller claims to have sent the item and presents a forged postal receipt or tracking code.
- Scam bids - A genuine seller falls victim to a scam bidder who wins the auction but never pays for the item.
Phishing carried out in Tradera’s name
Tradera has itself warned its customers about increased phishing messages. Be alert if a message (email, text message or Tradera message) asks you to click a link to a fake website, give your email address or phone number "to complete the deal", or "confirm your account" by handing over personal details. One common approach is that the other party claims to have booked a transport or courier and asks you to confirm it via a link. Typically the message also urges you to act quickly. Remember that Tradera never asks for sensitive information in messages and does not direct you to another website to make a payment. If you receive such a message, do not click the link.
Tradera’s buyer protection (köparskydd)
Tradera’s buyer protection refunds the buyer if the item is not delivered or differs significantly from the description. Buyer protection is mandatory when the price of an item bought from a private seller is at least 200 kronor, as well as always when paying with Klarna and when buying from foreign companies. A practical tip: when you pay with an integrated payment method (invoice, PayPal or card), Tradera has better opportunities to monitor the payment and buyer protection covers the deal. Avoid paying outside Tradera by direct bank transfer, because then you are left without buyer protection.
How to recognise a trustworthy seller on Tradera?
On online auctions, the seller’s trustworthiness is a cornerstone of the buyer’s safety. With these tips you can assess a seller’s trustworthiness:
Trustworthy sellers have plenty of positive reviews. Pay attention to the number, recency and detail of the reviews. Check especially whether the seller has reviews about similar items to the one you are buying.
Trustworthy sellers have often been on Tradera longer and sold several items. Newly created accounts selling valuable items are riskier.
Trustworthy sellers provide several high-quality photos of the item from different angles. Beware of listings with only one photo or where the photo is clearly a product image copied from the internet rather than a photo of the item itself.
The auction’s starting price may be low, but if the "Buy now" price is significantly below the market price, be careful. Offers that are too good are usually scams, especially with electronics and branded goods.
Counterfeit goods on Tradera
Counterfeit goods are a common problem on online auctions. Here is how to recognise counterfeits:
- Unrealistically low price - Genuine branded goods and electronics hold their value well. If the price is a fraction of the normal one, it is probably a counterfeit.
- Poor quality in the photos - Check the item’s details, materials and finish in the photos. Poor-quality seams, blurry logos and cheap materials point to a counterfeit.
- Incorrect packaging images - Compare the packaging with the official product packaging. Even small differences in spelling, logos or packaging texts can reveal a counterfeit.
- Missing certificates of authenticity - Many luxury brands’ products come with a certificate of authenticity, a serial number or other identifying details.
- The seller’s reluctance to share more photos or details - If the seller refuses to send more photos or give, for example, the serial number, be especially careful.
Auction scams and how to recognise them
As an auction platform, Tradera is exposed to particular auction-related scams. Recognise these common auction scams:
The seller or their helpers take part in the auction to raise the price. This is against Tradera’s rules but common. Check the bidders’ histories - if the same users repeatedly bid on the same seller’s items but do not win them, it may be shill bidding.
Scammers place high bids on items but never pay for them. This causes the seller trouble and wastes the seller’s time. Although this does not directly affect buyers, it is a sign that there are untrustworthy users on the platform.
Some sellers use bots or helpers to place bids just before the auction ends, which creates pressure to make an impulsive higher bid. Be especially on your guard against rapidly rising bids in the final minutes.
The seller cancels the auction when the price does not rise high enough, or contacts the losing bidders to bypass the platform. Check the seller’s history of auction cancellations - several cancellations can be a warning sign.
Payment-bypass scams on Tradera
In a payment-bypass scam, the scammer tries to get the payment outside Tradera’s system. Here is how to recognise these scams:
- Contacts outside the auction - The seller makes contact by email or phone and proposes doing the deal outside Tradera.
- Promises of a discount - The seller promises a discount if you pay outside Tradera, claiming to save the commission costs.
- Rushing - The seller creates a sense of urgency, claiming others are interested in the item and that you should act quickly.
- Unusual payment methods - Scammers favour payment methods where getting the money back is difficult: cryptocurrencies, Western Union, gift cards or bank transfers to unknown banks.
- Friendliness and overemphasised trust - Scammers can be especially friendly and appeal to emotions or build up false trust.
Safe use of Tradera
- Always use Tradera’s official payment methods - They provide buyer protection and the possibility of getting your money back if problems arise.
- Read the seller’s reviews carefully - Several negative reviews or their absence are warning signs.
- Ask for more information and photos of the item - Trustworthy sellers answer questions appropriately and quickly.
- Bid with consideration - Set a clear budget for yourself and stick to it during the auction.
- Use PayPal when possible - PayPal offers an extra layer of buyer protection that can save you if problems arise.
- Do not share personal information - The seller does not need your bank details or personal identity code. A delivery address and payment are enough.
- Be especially careful in international deals - Foreign sellers involve a greater risk, and making a complaint can be more difficult.
What to do if you are scammed on Tradera?
If you suspect you have been targeted by a scam on Tradera, act quickly according to these instructions:
First, it is worth trying to resolve the issue directly with the seller through Tradera’s messaging service, so that the conversations are saved in the system.
If the problem is not resolved with the seller, file an official complaint with Tradera’s customer service as soon as possible. Attach all evidence: photos of the item, the chat history with the seller and payment receipts. You can report a suspicious listing using the "Report for review" function found in every listing or by email to abuse@tradera.com.
If you paid with PayPal, file a complaint through PayPal too. PayPal’s buyer protection is often an effective way to get your money back in scam cases, and its complaint period is 180 days.
If you paid by bank or credit card, contact your bank or credit card company as soon as possible and request a chargeback. Many banks and credit card companies offer purchase protection.
If it is a clear scam and you have lost a significant sum of money, file a police report. Online scams are crimes, and the police can investigate them, especially if the same scammer has scammed several people.
Tradera’s special features and scam risks
- The auction system - The auction increases the risk of an emotional reaction and can lead to rash decisions in a competitive situation.
- Nordic focus - Tradera is especially popular in Sweden, but there are users in other Nordic countries too, which can complicate international complaints.
- Used collectibles - Many collectibles and antiques are sold on Tradera, whose authenticity can be difficult to verify.
- Language barrier - The service is mainly in Swedish, which can cause challenges for Finnish users.
- PayPal integration - PayPal owns Tradera, which is why PayPal payments are common and provide extra security.