Being aware of CBD scams on Amazon and eBay

In the UK it is so easy to purchase CBD Oil. It is not illegal, so why wouldn’t it be? CBD Oil is mentioned a lot more than it used to be. From entrepreneurs, sportspersons, working parents and even young teenagers, there are constantly new products being added to shop shelves. However, it is online purchasing that you need to be wary of.

 

Although mainly successful for most, it has unfortunately opened up a whole new world for scammers.

 

For now, we are going to concentrate on two of the largest online selling platforms, Amazon and eBay.

 

What are Amazon and eBay’s rules on selling CBD Oil?

 

Both platforms have a strict ‘no CBD’ policy in place. Although they work in different ways, and their policies vary, they both allow third-party sellers to list an item on their site. However, the seller is supposed to comply with the set rules.  If they do not agree or comply, the item will be removed.

 

On Amazon.co.uk, any type of CBD product is completely prohibited.

Their terms state the following;

 

• Listings for products containing cannabidiol (CBD), including but not limited to:

 

1. Full-spectrum hemp oil
2. Rich hemp oil
3. Products specifying they contain CBD

 

On eBay, the following applies:

 

• Narcotics, steroids, and other controlled substances (as classified by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 UK)
• For Ireland: Narcotics, steroids, and other controlled substances (as classified by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, 1984 and 2015, and the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010)

 

The end result is that it encourages scammers to list products that appear to contain CBD. These products will be very convincing to buyers, especially for those who have never tried a genuine CBD product before. They have nothing to compare it to.

 

The prices are very similar. Furthermore, they express that they contain the same amount of CBD in mg. However, they will sometimes only contain hemp oil.

 

How do CBD scams work on eBay or Amazon?

 

Like most platforms that sell products, a buyer will search for a specific item. In this instance, you will probably search for CBD oil. You are likely to see a list of the products referring to themselves as ‘hemp oil extract’, or in some cases, ‘hemp extract oil’.

 

The prices they are listed at would lead you to believe they are genuine CBD products, but in fact, that is not always the case. It is unlikely the products will contain any CBD at all.

 

The result of this means the seller will believe they are getting a £30 / £40 bottle of CBD oil, when in fact, they are receiving a product a lot lower in value, sometimes as low as £1.

 

What does a CBD oil scam look like on Amazon or eBay?

 

We have discussed how a scam can appear to be genuine to most. With this in mind, there are certain listings you should look out for.

 

Read the description thoroughly before purchasing. If it does not state that it contains CBD, you should avoid going ahead.

 

Even if it does include CBD in the description, they may not specify the volume. And let’s face it! The label won’t always represent the correct measures.

 

In conclusion, we recommend sourcing your CBD oil from a reputable company. Always do your research first?  If in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact the seller direct.  If they are not prepared to discuss it with you, this is another warning sign.

 

If you have any questions about CBD oil, we will happily speak with you on the phone and assist in any way we can.