High riskMarketplace

eBay Second Chance Offer Scam

After an online auction ends, scammers send a fake second chance offer claiming the winning bidder backed out and that you can now buy the item. The email looks official but pushes you to pay off-platform by bank transfer or another irreversible method, bypassing the marketplace's buyer protection. The item usually does not exist, and once the money is sent it is very hard to recover. Genuine offers stay within the platform's own checkout and messaging.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Auction impersonation scam
Main red flag
An email offers you an auction item you lost and asks you to pay off-platform by bank transfer.
What to do first
Do not pay outside the platform; verify any offer by logging into your account directly, not via the email link.

What this scam usually looks like

After an online auction ends, scammers send a fake second chance offer claiming the winning bidder backed out and that you can now buy the item. The email looks official but pushes you to pay off-platform by bank transfer or another irreversible method, bypassing the marketplace's buyer protection. The item usually does not exist, and once the money is sent it is very hard to recover. Genuine offers stay within the platform's own checkout and messaging.

Marketplace scams target both buyers and sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and classified listings. Fraudsters fake payments, send bogus "buyer protection" emails, push deals off-platform, or use overpayment tricks to make you ship goods or send money for nothing.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: An email offers you an auction item you lost and asks you to pay off-platform by bank transfer. Do not pay outside the platform; verify any offer by logging into your account directly, not via the email link.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Concert Ticket Scam or the Overpayment Scam, browse the Marketplace Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Top category
online shopping is consistently among the most-reported fraud types to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: "Good news! The winning bidder for the item you bid on has backed out, so we'd like to offer you a Second Chance Offer at your last bid. To claim it, please complete payment by bank transfer within 24 hours to secure the item. Reply here to arrange, as our checkout is currently down: [unfamiliar link]."

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: An email offers you an auction item you lost and asks you to pay off-platform by bank transfer.

Red flags to watch for

  • You are asked to pay by bank transfer or another off-platform method instead of the marketplace's normal checkout.
  • The message claims the original winner backed out and creates urgency with a short deadline.
  • The sender's email address or link does not match the marketplace's genuine domain on close inspection.
  • You are told the official checkout is 'down' or unavailable, steering you to pay another way.
  • The deal feels conveniently perfect for an item you recently lost, which scammers can see from public listings.

What to do

  • Log into your account directly through the official app or website to check for any genuine offer.
  • Pay only through the marketplace's official checkout so buyer protection applies.
  • Inspect the sender address and any links carefully, and avoid clicking through from the email.
  • Report the suspicious message to the marketplace using its official reporting tools.

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you paid by bank transfer, contact your bank immediately to report it and ask about recovery options.
  • If you entered login or card details, change your password and contact your card provider.
  • Forward the email to the marketplace's phishing reporting address and then delete it.
  • Keep copies of the message and any payment, and report the fraud to your national reporting service.

What not to do

  • Do not pay by bank transfer or other off-platform methods for a second chance offer.
  • Do not click links in the email; reach the marketplace by typing its address yourself.
  • Do not let the short deadline rush you into paying before you have verified the offer.

Similar scams

Medium risk Marketplace

Concert Ticket Scam

Scammers advertise resale tickets for sold-out or popular events on social media and marketplaces. After you pay, often by a method that is hard to reverse, you receive no valid ticket, or a duplicate that will not scan at the door.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Overpayment Scam

A buyer, employer, or 'client' sends you a payment or cheque for more than they owe, then asks you to send the extra back. The original payment is fake or is later reversed, leaving you out of pocket for the refund you sent.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Marketplace

Fake Escrow Scam

In a high-value marketplace deal, the other party insists on a specific 'escrow' or 'secure payment' website to hold the funds, but the site is fake and simply collects your money or card details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Are second chance offers ever real?
Genuine ones can exist, but they appear inside the marketplace and use its official checkout. An offer that pushes you to pay off-platform by transfer is a common warning sign of a scam.
Why do scammers want a bank transfer?
Bank transfers are fast and very hard to reverse, and they sit outside the platform's buyer protection. That combination is exactly why fraudsters prefer it over the normal checkout.
The email looks official. Can I trust it?
Scam emails often copy real logos and layouts. Check the sender address and links closely, and verify by logging into your account directly rather than trusting the message itself.
What if I already paid for a second chance offer?
Contact your bank straight away to report the transfer and ask about recovery. Report the message to the marketplace and to your national fraud service, and keep all evidence.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.