Other sites include a mobileappcalled Mercari.

If you’re wondering whether or not Mercari is a legitimate business, the answer is yes.

People will frequently find a way to turn even innocent sales activities on sites like these into a scam.

A conceptual illustration of a Mercari scammer.

Lifewire / Theresa Chiechi

There are several ways to protect yourself even on a technically safe site like Mercari.

What Is the Mercari Scam?

There is no single scam associated with Mercari.

There are also heavy restrictions on the types of products sold, which sellers can sometime unknowingly violate.

Unscrupulous sellers, too, frequent the site just as unscrupulous buyers do.

Mercari is a mobile app foriOSandAndroidusers.

The Japanese company was founded with the idea of creating a mobile marketplace for buyers and sellers.

New, used, and handmade items are all sold on the site.

Others insist their specific situation must be part of a scam.

How Does the Mercari Scam Work?

Once that action is complete, the seller can then rate the buyer.

How Do Scammers Find Mercari Victims?

Scam sellers will offer fake or fraudulent goods for sale.

How Do I Avoid Getting Involved in a Mercari Scam?

Sellers have fewer options because they can’t refuse to sell to someone.

Take multiple photos of all the products you ship.

Ensure you are in compliance with sales rules.

Keep your feedback scores as high as possible.

Do your research to confirm items are legitimate.

Check the seller’s feedback and scores left by other buyers.

Ask questions using the private messaging system.

I’m Already a Victim.

What Should I Do?

The standard recourse for a victim of a Mercari scam is to file a complaint through Mercari customer service.

If you feel the site itself has somehow perpetuated the problem, stop using the site.

How Do I Avoid Being Targeted for a Mercari Scam?

Your best bet is to be proactive and stay vigilant.

Those programs are designed to help spot fraudulent sites or detect suspicious activity on your machine.