How do I confirm a seller's photos aren't stolen from another company's website or listing?
Short answer: A reverse image search on the specific photos is a quick, practical way to check whether they appear elsewhere online, potentially revealing they belong to a different company or an older, unrelated listing — combine this with requesting a fresh, specifically timestamped photo showing something unique to your transaction, which a fraudster reusing stolen images generally can't provide.
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Source Scrap →Why reverse image searching is a genuinely useful check
Stolen or reused photos, particularly stock images or images lifted from a legitimate business’s actual website, often surface elsewhere when searched — this simple, free check can reveal that a photo doesn’t actually depict the seller’s own material at all.
What a fresh, specific photo request accomplishes
Asking for a new photo showing something unique to your specific transaction, like a piece of paper with a specific date or your name written on it alongside the material, is something a genuine seller with real stock can easily provide, while someone using stolen generic images typically cannot.
What to do if you find a match elsewhere
If a reverse image search reveals the photo belongs to a different, unrelated business or listing, this is a serious red flag worth treating as strong evidence of a fraudulent listing — proceed with significant caution or decline the transaction entirely.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Listings on ScrapTrade tied to verified business accounts reduce the likelihood of stolen or reused imagery being used to misrepresent available material.
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