Luxury Resale Scams: How to Avoid Fake Designer Goods and Shop Safely

Buying preowned luxury goods should feel exciting not stressful. There’s something special about finding the piece: the Chanel you’ve been thinking about for years, a rare Louis Vuitton you missed the first time around, or a Hermès that feels like a milestone. The resale market opens doors to all of that. And beyond access, there’s a financial logic to it too buying pre-owned luxury can often be one of the smartest investments in fashion, particularly when you understand which pieces retain value.

But as it’s grown, so have the luxury resale scams.

The reality? Luxury resale is now a global, high-value market and where there’s demand, there are bad actors trying to exploit it.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about confidence.

Here’s what we see happening in the resale space and how you can protect yourself when investing in designer.

1. The Rise of the “Super Fake”  

Counterfeits aren’t what they used to be. Today’s high-grade replicas can look convincing at first glance, especially online, where you can’t feel the leather, weight the hardware, or examine stitching in person.

What to watch for:  

• Prices that feel dramatically below market value

• Sellers reluctant to provide close-ups of stitching, hardware engravings, serial numbers or date codes

• Vague phrases like “100% authentic” with no explanation of authentication

• A mix of professional stock imagery and inconsistent personal photos

How to protect yourself  :

• Ask for detailed, close-up images in natural lighting

• Compare fonts, spacing and stitching carefully

• Buy from retailers who explain how they authenticate, not just that they do

This is particularly important with high-demand brands like Hermès, where detail and craftsmanship are everything. If you’re considering one, our guide to buying pre-loved Hermès bags — including authenticity checks and pricing considerations breaks down exactly what to look for.

If something feels rushed or evasive, pause. Genuine sellers don’t mind scrutiny - in fact, they expect it.

2. Social Media Impersonation  

Instagram and TikTok have become major resale marketplaces, but they’ve also become prime territory for impersonation scams.

We regularly see fake accounts copying real resale businesses, lifting imagery, and messaging buyers directly.

Red flags:

• Recently created accounts with little posting history

• Usernames that are almost identical to established businesses

• Comments disabled or limited

• Requests to “continue on WhatsApp” or move the conversation off-platform quickly

• Pressure tactics: “Someone else is about to pay - transfer now” 

How to protect yourself:

• Check the account’s history and tagged posts

• Cross-reference the username with the brand’s official website

• Never rely solely on screenshots of reviews

• Avoid sending payment via direct bank transfer to unknown sellers

Luxury purchases deserve time and clarity. Urgency is often a tactic.

3. Fake Receipts & Authenticity Cards  

This one surprises buyers the most. A receipt or authenticity card can look reassuring, but counterfeit documentation is incredibly common. Fraudsters know buyers feel safer when paperwork is involved.

What to watch for  :

• Receipts without full store details

• Fonts or formatting that look inconsistent

• Documentation that doesn’t align with the age or model of the bag

• Claims that original paperwork was “lost” but replaced

The truth - documentation supports authenticity. It does not prove it. The bag itself, its construction, materials, craftsmanship, tells the real story.

4. Payment Manipulation  

Not all resale scams involve fake products. Some exploit payment systems instead.

Red flags  :

• Requests to pay via bank transfer only

• Being asked to mark PayPal payments as “Friends & Family”

• Sellers unwilling to provide formal invoices

These tactics remove buyer protection.

How to protect yourself  :

• Use secure, buyer-protected payment methods

• Keep written records of conversations

• Avoid anyone actively trying to bypass platform safeguards

If someone is asking you to remove your protection, that protection is likely needed.

5. Bait & Switch Listings  

Sometimes the item you receive isn’t quite the item you saw. Lighting, filters and vague descriptions can disguise wear, repairs or even entirely different pieces.

Protect yourself by:

• Requesting timestamped photos

• Asking for images in natural daylight

• Clarifying condition grading before purchasing

• Requesting videos if you’re unsure

Transparency is a sign of professionalism. Reputable sellers are open about flaws - it builds trust.

6. Fake Authentication Services  

As authentication has become more talked about, some scammers have created fake third-party “authentication” websites to appear legitimate.

Red flags:  

• No visible company information or physical presence

• No independent reviews

• Links sent directly by the seller with no external footprint

Before trusting an authentication service, research it independently. A credible service will have a recognisable reputation within the resale industry.

How to Buy Pre-Owned Luxury with Confidence  

Luxury resale should feel empowering - not intimidating. If you’re new to the preowned market, we’ve put together a complete guide on how to buy a secondhand designer bag with confidence from understanding condition grading to knowing what questions to ask before you commit.

A few principles we always encourage:

• Buy from established resale retailers with a clearly explained authentication process

• Take your time - excitement shouldn’t override due diligence

• Ask questions. The right seller will welcome them

• Trust your instinct if something feels unclear

At Sign of the Times, authentication isn’t a marketing line - it’s foundational to what we do. Every piece that reaches our floor or website has been carefully assessed before it’s offered to you. Because in luxury, trust matters as much as craftsmanship.

The preowned market gives you access to iconic design, rare finds and conscious luxury, but informed buyers are confident buyers. Understanding the risks doesn’t make shopping less exciting. It makes it smarter.

If you’re investing in a designer piece, you deserve transparency, expertise and peace of mind. Shop knowing exactly what you’re buying and explore our authenticated preowned collection online or visit us in-store.