Security Centre
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Safest payment methods
eBay recommends paying for your purchases with PayPal as it believes it is one of the safest ways to shop online. |
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PayPal - eBay believes this is the safest way to pay for your eBay purchases. Sellers don't see your credit card number or bank account details which limits the risk of fraud and identity theft. If you pay with PayPal and the item doesn't arrive or it’s significantly not as described by the seller, the item may be eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection of up to $20,000. Terms & conditions apply.* Sign up for a PayPal account now  |
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Pay on pick-up - For some items you will also have the option to pay for and pick up the item in person. We recommend cash or bank cheque after meeting the seller and inspecting the item. |
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Not recommended payment methods
Although the following payment methods are allowed on eBay, eBay believes they are not the safest ways to pay online and therefore are not recommended. |
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Bank deposit - You can deposit your payment directly into the seller's bank account either online or at a bank. This requires sharing of banking details which may increase the risk of your identity being stolen and there is no buyer protection offered if the item doesn’t arrive. Sellers can find it harder to reconcile their payments leading to mistakes and delays in posting. |
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Cheques and money orders -Personal cheques, bank cheques and money orders can be used on eBay. However funds may be difficult to recover in cases of fraud. Sellers are also at risk of receiving forgeries, especially if the cheque or money order claims to be from an overseas bank. |
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Escrow -An escrow service holds your money until you receive and approve the item. Make sure you use only a reputable escrow agent, such as Escrow Australia. |
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Credit card -This carries some risk as you have to provide your credit card details to the seller. However, financial institutions typically provide some level of purchase protection for credit card buyers through chargeback. Contact your credit card provider to learn more about how you could be covered. Find out how to connect your credit card to fund your PayPal account. |
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Banned payment methods
These methods of payment are not allowed on eBay as they are unsafe and may result in fraud. |
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Instant cash wire transfer- Services such as Western Union and MoneyGram are a good way to transfer cash between friends or family but are not suitable for eBay purchases. Fraudsters may try to get you to pay using Western Union or MoneyGram. Sometimes they’ll even email you 'proof' that eBay says it’s ok. eBay does not allow sellers to ask for payment by Western Union or MoneyGram. These methods are hard to trace and there is no recourse or protection if the item is not delivered. |
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Cash in the mail -
Sending cash in the mail is a bad idea as recognised by Australia Post. There is no way to prove the payment was made and you are ineligible for any buyer protection reimbursement. |
Safe buying tips
- Always get to know the seller’s reputation before you buy or bid on their items. You can do this by reviewing their feedback rating and asking the seller questions.
- If you are considering paying with a method that does not offer buyer protection think carefully about how hard it would be to get your money back if the item is not delivered as promised.
- If the seller insists on you paying with a banned method (like Western Union or MoneyGram) then it is likely the seller may be a fraudster.
- Sellers must accept the payment methods stated in their listings, if they don’t they are violating eBay's Misleading and Discouraging Payments policy.
