eBay Trading Card Sellers Warn Of Rising AI-Driven Refund Scam

Trading card sellers on eBay are warning other hobby enthusiasts about a new and increasing scam plaguing the platform as tech-savvy but ethically challenged buyers use AI tools to fake "proof" of damage in effort to extort refunds after delivery.

One such seller posted on X with images showing how their buyer allegedly used AI to show a slabbed card that had supposedly been shattered in transit.

Other sellers in replies said they had also had the same buyer do the same thing to them, posting screenshots of their own experiences with false claims of damage being lodge using AI altered images as "proof."

In these instances, it appears the buyer simply messaged the seller asking for a refund and provided the images rather than formally opening an Item Not As Described claim through eBay, which should be a red flag for most sellers.

Neo Cards & Comics on YouTube covered this story as well, with many in the comments advising their fellow sellers to always require buyers to return the item in a situation like this rather than just providing a refund - essentially calling their bluff if in fact the item isn't really damaged.

But should eBay be doing more to protect sellers and crack down on buyers who attempt this kind of refund extortion and abuse?

Some have suggested that eBay may eventually have to start having their own AI review images in return requests specifically to determine if they have been altered or generated by AI, but there are limitations to how well that might work especially since many AI checking tools still have high rates of false positives, not to mention potential hallucinations.

Others pointed out that AI can often be similarly abused by sellers who may use it to "clean up" raw cards to make the condition look better than it really is.

The problem of course is not limited to just one category (see this eBay community forum post wondering if alleged damage to a plastic figurine was AI generated) or one platform.

In just one example of many that could be provided, a Depop seller recently posted this thread on Reddit about a buyer who tried to claim the item they received was significantly damaged by providing images that many in the comments believed were likely AI generated.

Forter, a New York-based fraud detection company, recently told Wired they estimate that AI-doctored images used in refund claims have increased by more than 15 percent since the start of last year, and are continuing to rise globally.

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European law firm Browne Jacob provides the following suggestions for how retailers can fight this new evolution in fraud.

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• Require customers to submit evidence of the damage from multiple angles, or to record a video of the damage. 
• Implement multi-layered fraud detection systems, combining automated AI analysis with human review before any refund is issued.
• Train staff to recognise AI-generated content and escalate suspicious claims appropriately. 
• Update return and refund policies to include safeguards without alienating genuine customers (e.g., requiring goods to be returned before issuing refunds).
• Invest in technology that verifies image authenticity, checks metadata, and detects deepfakes.
• Monitor regulatory developments as well as standards for AI-generated evidence in legal proceedings.

Have you had buyers on eBay or other marketplaces attempt to extort refunds or file false claims against you using AI altered images as "proof" of damage? What do you think marketplaces should do to protect sellers from this kind of fraud? Let us know in the comments below!