Mali Osmelak sues Vinted for £6,000 over account access issues

Mali Osmelak has taken Vinted to court after being unable to access almost £6,000 in sales from her online clothing business. The 29-year-old mother and Crohn's disease sufferer, who began selling clothes on the platform in 2024, filed her claim after weeks of unsuccessful attempts to complete Vinted's verification process. Her account was restricted shortly after she upgraded to a Vinted Pro seller account, designed for high-volume sellers.

Osmelak's case highlights a growing issue among Vinted users in the UK. According to reports, many sellers have faced account suspensions or difficulties accessing funds, prompting a wave of complaints. Vinted has 17 million users in the UK and claims that 98% of transactions are completed without issue. However, the verification process required for some sellers is proving problematic, especially for those like Osmelak who are trying to operate as businesses.

After eight weeks of being locked out of her account, Osmelak decided to take legal action against both Vinted and Mangopay, the payments company managing seller wallets. She spent £455 in court fees and filed her claim in small claims court. Shortly after filing, her account was verified, allowing her to withdraw her funds. Despite this, she continued with her case to recover her court fees and other expenses. In June, she won a default judgment against both companies, ordering them to pay her £1,207.50, but she has yet to receive the payment.

Osmelak's frustration continues as Vinted and Mangopay have applied to have the judgment set aside, with a hearing scheduled for December. “It’s been ridiculous and incredibly stressful,” Osmelak said. “I need that cash. I will fight it. I’m going to tell the court their system is completely broke.” Her experience raises questions about customer support and the reliability of online marketplaces, particularly for sellers transitioning to professional accounts.