Ronnie wants to buy your jacket

Questions you'll answer

Quick facts

• Red flag: “I've sent £260 instead of £60 by mistake — please refund the £200 to my cousin's account.” — Overpayment scam: the original payment will bounce or be reversed, and your 'refund' is gone.
• Red flag: “Let's pay outside the app, it's cheaper for both of us.” — Off-platform payments lose you the platform's protection.
• Red flag: “My courier will collect — just confirm the delivery on this link: bit-ly-courier-check.” — Fake courier link — designed to steal your card or login details.
• Buyer pays through the platform and you post with tracking → Legit. That's how it's meant to work.
• 'Easy £500 — just let us move money through your account' → Ronnie. Money mule recruitment. It's a crime, and the risk lands on you.
• 'Your account is suspended, verify your bank details here' → Ronnie. Phishing. Check through the real app, never via a link.
• Buyer asks a question about sizing in the app chat → Legit. Normal buyer behaviour.
• 'Pay a £50 fee to unlock your seller earnings' → Ronnie. Advance fee scam. Real platforms don't hold your money hostage via DM.
• Myth: “Letting someone use your account to 'move money' is harmless if you don't keep it.” — It's money laundering. You can lose your bank account and face prosecution.
• Fact: “Buyer protection usually only works if you stay on the platform.” — Off-platform = no safety net.
• Fact: “Banks can sometimes recover money if you report a scam quickly.” — Not always, but your chances are much better if you're fast.

More in Side Hustles & Self-employment

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• The platforms are telling HMRC
• Pricing your work
• BOSS: 31 January

All 12 Side Hustles & Self-employment lessons

Related topics

• Work, Payslips & Tax
• Business Money Basics
• Scams & Fraud