• Stories of assorted Nvidia GPU scams maintain surfacing, and scammers discover new methods to trick consumers
• Some consumers declare to have obtained previous GPUs or a bag of rice as a substitute of the cardboard they anticipated to get
• Purchasing and promoting second-hand is riddled with difficult conditions, too — my pal bought scammed out of $1,900

It is positively not a purchaser’s marketplace for GPUs proper now, which could clarify why scams are operating rampant. I maintain listening to about new methods wherein scammers goal consumers (and sellers) of the greatest graphics playing cards, and actually, a few of them are really baffling.

Some individuals are getting baggage of rice and pasta as a substitute of a high-end GPU; others get a backpack; and a few get what seems like a graphics card, however the insides reveal that it will by no means work.

That can assist you navigate the impediment course of shopping for and promoting GPUs proper now, this is a information to all the primary scams to be careful for – and the right way to keep away from the destiny of two of my unlucky associates.

What sort of GPU scams are on the market?

I began noticing the scams within the early days following the launch of the RTX 5090. Whereas looking for one on the market on eBay, I observed lots of listings at MSRP – however checking these listings revealed that folks weren’t promoting the GPU, however quite a printed photograph of the cardboard. Sure, a photograph, for $2,000 and up.

Since then, I’ve heard of over a dozen progressive scams. Our sister web site Tom’s {Hardware} lately reported on an Amazon buyer who ordered a Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5090 graphics card, however upon arrival, discovered the field to be stuffed with pasta, rice, and an previous, dusty GPU.

I made the fantastic mistake of ordering a 5090 from Amazon Netherlands… from r/pcmasterrace

In the meantime, an unfortunate Micro Heart buyer bought a number of backpacks as a substitute of the Zotac Gaming RTX 5090 Strong OC they anticipated to obtain.

Northwest Pc Restore lately shared one other rip-off that appears to have migrated from the RTX 4090 to the RTX 5090. The restore store is receiving playing cards which have been stripped of the GPU and the reminiscence die, forsaking an empty shell that appears convincing sufficient … up till you attempt to use it, that’s.

One other {hardware} restore YouTuber, this time based mostly in China, was despatched 4 RTX 4090 graphics playing cards that have been reportedly in want of restore, however opening them up revealed modded RTX 3090 and RTX 3080s; three of the playing cards have been past saving (by way of Tom’s {Hardware}).

Shopping for second-hand is not rather a lot simpler. A pal of mine lately tried to purchase an open-box RTX 5080 from a neighborhood Fb group. He met up with the vendor, paid the total value, and went residence with a GPU that did not work. He is now having to show to the authorities for assist in recovering his cash.

I bought scammed shopping for at Micro Heart in Santa Clara at this time. from r/Microcenter

Even promoting your GPU makes you susceptible to scams. One other pal as soon as tried to promote his RTX 3090 through the GPU scarcity of 2021.

The particular person he met up with reportedly did not have money and as a substitute confirmed him their banking app, confirming the switch of £1,400 (round $1,900). It seemed authentic, so he believed it, however it was a pretend app, and the cash clearly by no means arrived. Checking Reddit exhibits me that this rip-off nonetheless exists to at the present time.

Tips on how to keep secure and get a authentic GPU

Most of the scams I outlined above originated from platforms you’d usually belief. Amazon and Micro Heart are each reliable, and but, issues like this will occur, so it is vital to remain vigilant.

On Amazon, I like to recommend shopping for from sellers you recognize and belief (or straight from Amazon). Smaller sellers, particularly these with unintelligible names, are greatest averted if the itemizing sounds too good to be true. The identical rule applies to retailers: look into return insurance policies and do not buy suspiciously low cost GPUs.

Given the rising variety of scams that contain the GPU field containing one thing apart from what you ordered, make certain to movie the entire unboxing course of. Ideally, begin filming the second you obtain the package deal, then present step-by-step as you open it. A photograph will not suffice, as that is too simple to tamper with. If shopping for in retailer, open the field in entrance of an worker and examine the contents.

Shopping for second-hand is usually a nightmare. Even assembly up with sellers would not at all times imply that you’re going to get a GPU that really works and is actual. Your greatest guess is to fulfill up at a spot that permits you to take a look at the GPU earlier than selecting it up, however that opens an entire new can of worms, as you may have to enter a stranger’s residence. A neater approach is to purchase by means of platforms that supply purchaser safety and movie your self receiving and opening the GPU.

As a vendor, do not be fooled by legit-looking banking apps or guarantees of sending you cash after they get residence. Use a platform that protects each you and the client. It may be a trouble, however it’s wild on the market proper now, so it is really for the perfect.

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