Reporting a scam or fraudulent listing
How to report a suspicious listing or user to Herpify, what information to include, and what happens after you report.
Suspected fraud? Report it now
Every report helps us protect the community and stop scammers before they can target others. You don't need to be 100% certain. If something feels wrong, let us investigate.
🚨 Report immediately if:
- • Seller pressures you to pay off-platform
- • They request gift cards, crypto, or Western Union
- • Photos appear stolen (reverse image search confirms)
- • You've already paid and now can't reach them
When to report
Report a listing or user if you suspect fraud, misrepresentation, animal welfare violations, or illegal activity. You don't need to be certain before reporting — if something feels wrong, let us know and we'll investigate. Common reasons to report:
- Listing appears to be a scam (pressure to pay off-platform, requests for gift cards, etc.)
- Photos are stolen from other websites (reverse image search confirms this)
- Seller claims to be overseas and offers free shipping or delivery by "courier agent"
- Animal described as captive bred but the seller cannot produce any documentation
- Listing appears to be for a wild caught or illegally held animal
- Seller is abusive, threatening, or harassing
- You paid for an animal that was never delivered or doesn't exist
How to report a listing
On any listing page, click the "Report" link near the bottom of the page. Select the most relevant reason from the dropdown, add any detail that will help our team investigate (timestamps, specific claims the seller made, links to matching images elsewhere), and submit. You'll receive an acknowledgement email.
How to report a user
Go to the user's profile and click the "Report this user" link. From a conversation in Messages, click the three-dot menu next to the user's name and select "Report". Include as much context as you can — screenshots of suspicious messages are particularly helpful.
What information to gather
The more evidence you can provide, the faster we can act. Before reporting, collect:
- Screenshots of all messages with the seller (especially payment requests)
- The listing URL
- The payment method the seller requested, and any account details they provided
- Proof of payment if you've already paid (receipt, bank statement)
- Results of a reverse image search if you believe photos are stolen
- Any external contact details the seller shared (phone number, external email, social handles)
What happens after you report
Our moderation team reviews every report. We typically act within 24 hours for high-priority fraud reports and within 48–72 hours for less urgent reports. Depending on what we find, we may remove the listing, restrict the account, permanently ban the user, or escalate to relevant authorities. We'll update you by email once a decision has been made, though we may not be able to share all details of the outcome.
Getting your money back
Herpify is a marketplace — we connect buyers and sellers but don't hold or process payments. We cannot directly refund money paid to a scammer. Your best recourse for financial recovery is: (1) file a dispute with your payment provider if you paid by card or PayPal Goods & Services, (2) report to your country's consumer protection authority, (3) file a police report. Keep all evidence and don't delete any messages.
Important note
This is why paying via methods without buyer protection — gift cards, crypto, Western Union — is so dangerous. There is no dispute mechanism. Always use protected payment methods.
Evidence collection checklist
Gather this evidence before reporting for fastest investigation
Screenshots
- All messages with the seller
- Payment requests or instructions
- The original listing page
Reverse image search
- Check Google Images for stolen photos
- Screenshot matching results
- Note the original source URL
Payment evidence
- Receipt or bank statement
- Payment method details requested
- Account details they provided
Red flags noted
- Off-platform payment pressure
- Overseas seller, local pickup claim
- External contact details shared
The more evidence, the faster we act: High-priority fraud reports with comprehensive evidence are typically reviewed within 24 hours.
How to report
Choose based on what you're reporting
Report a listing
For fraudulent or suspicious listings, stolen photos, illegal species, or misrepresented animals.
Report a user
For scammers, threatening behavior, harassment, or suspected criminal activity.
You'll receive an email acknowledgement immediately when you submit a report. Our moderation team reviews high-priority fraud reports within 24 hours.
Common scam patterns to watch for
Report immediately if you see these red flags
Off-platform payment pressure
Seller insists on paying outside Herpify messages, requests gift cards, crypto, or "friends & family" PayPal to avoid buyer protection.
Stolen photos
Listing photos appear on other websites, social media, or breeder pages. Use Google reverse image search to verify.
Overseas seller with local pickup claim
Seller claims to be in your country but uses overseas phone numbers, broken English, or mentions a "courier agent" for delivery.
Urgency and pressure tactics
"Pay now or I'll sell to someone else," "limited time offer," or refusing to answer questions about the animal's history or health.
Too good to be true pricing
High-value morphs or rare species priced far below market value. Scammers use low prices to attract victims quickly.
Trust your instincts: If something feels wrong, it probably is. Report the listing and walk away. There will always be another animal.
Prevention: Always use protected payment methods
The single best protection against scams is choosing a payment method with buyer protection and dispute mechanisms.
Safe payment methods
- PayPal Goods & Services (dispute protection)
- Credit card (chargeback protection)
- Bank transfer via trusted escrow
Never use (no protection)
- Gift cards (iTunes, Steam, Google Play)
- Cryptocurrency (irreversible)
- Western Union / MoneyGram
- PayPal Friends & Family (no buyer protection)
⚠️ If a seller insists on an unsafe payment method:
Walk away immediately and report the listing. Legitimate sellers have no reason to refuse secure payment methods.
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Your reports help protect the community
Every report is reviewed by our moderation team within 24–48 hours. We take user safety seriously and act on verified complaints.
