• Why is this info on this forum?
• quick advice

(back)A lot of people on this site ask all sorts of questions that relate to internet auctions and getting scammed as a buyer or seller. for sceptics, i wrote all the info located in this faq, none of it was copy&pasted

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-06 23:16:46

(back) * Evaluate how soon you need to receive the item you're bidding on, and whether you can tolerate it being delivered late, or even not delivered. Many complaints about Internet auctions fraud involve late shipments, no shipments, or shipments of products that aren't the same quality as advertised.

* Whether you're a buyer or a seller, read each auction site's Terms of Use before using it for the first time — sites may charge fees, follow different rules, or offer different protections.

* Carefully consider your method of payment. Learn what recourse you have if something goes wrong. Don't send cash, and don't use a money wiring service.

* Don't reply to "phishing" emails: messages that look like they've been sent by an auction website or payment service and ask for your password or other personal information.

* Know who you're dealing with. Avoid doing business with sellers you can't identify, especially those who try to lure you off the auction site with promises of a better deal. Confirm the seller's telephone number in case you have questions or problems.

* Know exactly what you're bidding on. Read and print a copy of the seller's description of the product closely, especially the fine print. Save copies of all emails you send and receive from the auction site or seller, too.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-06 22:41:46

(back)Be aware of "phishing": emails sent to you asking for your password or other personal information that look like they've been sent by an auction website or payment service. Usually, these emails are fishing for your information and are coming from someone who wants to hack into your account.

If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply. And don't click on the link in the message, either. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email. If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization mentioned in the email using a telephone number you know to be genuine, or open a new Internet browser session and type in the company's correct Web address yourself. In any case, don't cut and paste the link from the message into your Internet browser; phishers often make links look like they go to one site, but actually send you somewhere else.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-06 22:42:37

• Payment Options
• Credit Cards
• Online Payment Services
• Debit Card, Personal Check, Cashier's Check, or Money Order
• Wire Transfers
• Online Escrow Services and Bonding Services

(back)Successful bidders can choose among many options to pay for an item they have bought on an Internet auction — credit card, online payment service (which often accepts credit card payments), debit card, personal check, cashier's check, money order, or escrow service. Sometimes, the seller limits the types of payment accepted and posts that information in the auction listing. Many sellers require receipt of a cashier's check or money order before they send an item. Higher volume sellers often accept credit cards directly. To protect both buyers and sellers, some auction sites now prohibit the use of wire transfers as a method of payment.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-06 22:43:21

(back)Credit cards are a safe option for consumers to use when paying for items bought on an Internet auction: They allow buyers to seek a credit from the credit card issuer (also known as a "charge back") if the product isn't delivered or isn't what they ordered.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457

(back)Online payment services are popular with both buyers and sellers (paypal). They allow buyers to use a credit card or electronic bank transfer to pay sellers. They also may protect buyers from unlawful use of their credit cards or bank accounts because the online payment service holds the account information, not the seller. Many sellers prefer online payment services because the services tend to provide more security than, say, personal checks.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-06 22:44:19

(back)Many smaller sellers accept forms of payment that are cash equivalents. These sellers often wait to receive the payment (and may wait for a personal check to clear) before shipping the item. Buyers should use this type of payment only when they trust the seller. At the same time, sellers should ensure that checks and money orders they receive from buyers are legitimate before shipping the goods; they should be suspicious of checks or money orders for amounts that exceed the price of the merchandise. Unlike credit cards or some online payment services, cash equivalents (and wire transfers) cannot be reversed if something goes wrong.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457

(back)it is recommended that buyers not wire money (via a money transmitter or directly to a seller's bank account) unless they know the seller personally or can verify the seller's identity. Buyers should be suspicious of sellers who insist on wire transfers as the only form of payment they will accept. If something goes wrong with the transaction, you most likely will lose your payment and not have any recourse. In fact, to protect both buyers and sellers, some auction sites now prohibit the use of wire transfers as a method of payment.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457

(back)For big-ticket items like computers, cars, or jewelry, buyers should consider using an escrow service or purchasing from a bonded or insured seller to protect their funds. The primary purpose of online escrow services is to protect buyers and sellers from fraud. Escrow services accept and hold payment from a buyer — often a wire transfer, check, money order or credit card — until he receives and approves the merchandise. Then, the escrow service forwards the payment to the seller. The buyer pays the fee for an online escrow service — generally a percentage of the cost of the item.

Before using an escrow service, both the buyer and the seller should verify that it is a legitimate, reputable company.

Some sellers may state that they are bonded or otherwise insured against fraud. If a buyer intends to rely on a seller's bonded status or the seller's insurance to protect against fraud, he should investigate the legitimacy of the bonding or insurance company and then make sure that the seller really is a member of — or certified by — that company. If a problem arises with a bonded seller, the buyer usually has to engage in a dispute resolution process with the seller before being able to submit a claim to the bonding or insurance company.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457

• Types of Fraud
• Escrow Service Complaints

(back)Most people who complain to the FTC about Internet auction fraud report problems with sellers who:

* fail to send the merchandise.

* send something of lesser value than advertised.

* fail to deliver in a timely manner.

* fail to disclose all relevant information about a product or terms of the sale.

Some buyers experience other problems, including:

* "bid siphoning," when con artists lure bidders off legitimate auction sites by offering to sell the "same" item at a lower price. They intend to trick consumers into sending money without delivering the item. By going off-site, buyers lose any protections the original site may provide, such as insurance, feedback forms, or guarantees.

* "second chance offers," when con artists offer losing bidders of a closed auction a second chance to purchase the item that they lost in the auction. Second-chance buyers lose any protections the original site may provide once they go off-site.

* "shill bidding," when fraudulent sellers or their partners, known as "shills," bid on sellers' items to drive up the price.

* "bid shielding," when fraudulent buyers submit very high bids to discourage other bidders from competing for the same item, then retract their bids so that people they know can get the item at a lower price.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457

(back)Another type of fraud occurs when sellers or buyers pose as escrow services to improperly obtain money or goods. The so-called seller puts goods up for sale on an Internet auction and insists that prospective buyers use a particular escrow service. Once buyers provide the escrow service with their payment information, the escrow service doesn't hold the payment: It is sent directly to the so-called seller. The buyer never receives the promised goods, can't locate the seller, and, because the escrow service was part of the scheme, can't get any money back.

In some cases, a fraudster poses as a buyer and, after placing the highest bid on an item, insists that the seller use a particular escrow service. The escrow service tricks the seller into sending the merchandise and doesn't send the payment or return the goods to the seller.

good info: »www.macintouch.com/readerreports···077.html
within that site:
How to recognise spoofed web sites: - »www.htmlgoodies.com/articles/spo···rls.html
How to spot Fake Escrow Services: »www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice···17b1.asp
13 Red Flags For Internet Auctions: »answercenter.ebay.com/thread.jsp···10021029

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-06 22:20:13

(back)Sellers can be victims of fraud when buyers send fake checks or money orders that are detected by the bank only after the seller has shipped the goods. A buyer might offer to use a cashier's check, personal check, or corporate check to pay for the item you're selling. Sometimes, the buyer sends a fake check or money order that exceeds the cost of the item that has been purchased. The so-called buyer (or the buyer's "agent") states that he made a mistake, or comes up with another reason for writing the check for more than the purchase price. In either case, the buyer asks you to wire back the difference after you deposit the check. You deposit the check, learn that it has cleared, and wire the funds back to the "buyers." Later, the bank determines that the check is fraudulent, leaving you liable for the entire amount. The checks were counterfeit, but good enough to fool unsuspecting bank tellers.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457

• TIPS FOR BUYERS...
• Before Bidding
• When Bidding
• Before Paying

(back)Despite complaints of fraud, online auctions remain a fun, efficient, and relatively safe way to shop — if you act prudently. Here's how:

Before Bidding

When Bidding

Before Paying

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-05 23:24:36

(back)Become familiar with the auction site. -- Never assume that the rules of one auction site apply to another. If the site offers a step-by-step tutorial on the bidding process, take it. It may save you frustration and disappointment later.

Find out what protections the auction site offers buyers. -- Some sites provide free insurance or guarantees for items that are not delivered, not authentic, or not what the seller claims.

Know exactly what you're bidding on. -- Read the seller's description of the item or service, and if a photograph is posted, look at it. Read the fine print. Look for words like "refurbished," "close out," "discontinued," or "off-brand" — especially when shopping for computer or electronic equipment — to get a better idea of the condition of the item. Sometimes this information and other important terms are in a contract that may be found by following a hyperlink in the listing to the seller's online store.

Try to determine the relative value of an item before you bid. -- Be skeptical if the price sounds too low to be realistic. "Brick-and-mortar" stores and price comparison sites may be good for reality checks.

Find out all you can about the seller. -- Avoid doing business with sellers you can't identify, especially those who try to lure you off the auction site with promises of a better deal. Don't trust emails alone. Some fraudulent sellers have used forged email headers that make follow-up difficult, if not impossible. Get the seller's telephone number as another way to get in touch. Dial the number to confirm that it is correct.

Some auction sites post feedback ratings of sellers based on comments by other buyers. -- Check them out. Although these comments and ratings may give you some idea of how you'll be treated, comments sometimes are submitted by the seller or "shills" paid by the seller. In other cases, a seller may build up his reputation by selling many low cost items before making fraudulent sales of higher cost items.

Consider whether the item comes with a warranty, and whether follow-up service is available if you need it. -- Many sellers don't have the expertise or facilities to provide services for the goods they sell. If this is the case with your seller, be sure you're willing to forfeit that protection before placing a bid.

Find out who pays for shipping and delivery. -- Generally, sellers specify the cost of shipping and give buyers the option for express delivery at an additional cost. If you're uncertain about shipping costs, check with the seller before you bid.

Check on the seller's return policy. -- Can you return the item for a full refund if you're not satisfied with it? If you return it, are you required to pay shipping costs or a restocking fee? Sometimes the return policy is found in the listing, but other times you may have to access it by following a hyperlink in the listing to the seller's online store.

Email or call the seller if you have any questions. -- Don't place any bids until you get straight — and satisfactory — answers.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-06 22:47:49

(back)Establish a top price and stick to it. -- This can help ensure that you get a fair price and protect you from "shill bidding." Don't bid on an item you don't intend to buy. If you're the highest bidder, you're obligated to follow through with the transaction. Some auction sites bar "non-paying" bidders, also known as "deadbeats," from future bidding.

Save all transaction information. -- Print the seller's identification, the item description, and the time, date, and price of your bid. Print and save every email you send and receive from the auction company or the seller.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-06 22:49:01

(back)Protect your identity. -- Never provide your Social Security number or driver's license number to a seller. Don't provide your credit card number or bank account information until you check out the seller and the online payment or escrow service, if you're using one, and ensure their legitimacy. Examine the online payment and escrow service's privacy policy and security measures. Never disclose financial or personal information unless you know why it's being collected, how it will be used, and how it will be safeguarded.

Protect your funds. -- Know what form of payment the seller accepts. If the seller accepts only cashier's checks or money orders, decide whether you're willing to risk sending your payment before you receive the product. Never wire money to a person you don't know or whose identity you can't verify. If the seller insists on using a particular escrow or online payment service you've never heard of, check it out. Visit its website. Be suspicious of any site that is generally of poor quality with misspelled words or claims that it is affiliated with the government. Call the customer service line. If there isn't one — or if you call and can't reach someone — don't use the service. Before you agree to use any online payment or escrow service, read the service's terms of agreement. If it's an online payment service, find out whether it offers buyers any recourse if sellers don't keep their end of the bargain, whether it prevents sellers from accessing their funds if buyers are not satisfied with the product, and who is responsible for paying for credit card charge backs or transaction reversal requests. If the online payment service cannot recover the loss from the seller, it might try to recover its loss from you, using the credit card or bank account information in its file. To limit your exposure, consider reserving a separate credit card, stored-value card, or bank account to use just for your online transactions. Be suspicious of an online escrow service that cannot process its own transactions and requires you to set up accounts with online payment services. Legitimate escrow services never do this.

Check with the Better Business Bureau, state attorney general, or consumer protection agency — where you live and where the online payment or escrow service is based — to see whether there are any unresolved complaints against the service. A lack of complaints doesn't mean that a service doesn't have any problems. Many scammers change their company names often.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-06 22:50:28

• Know Your Legal Obligations
• Advertising Your Product
• Dealing with Bidders
• Arranging for Payment
• Look Out for Fraudulent Checks or Money Orders

(back)Under federal law, you're required to advertise your product or service and the terms of the sale honestly and accurately. You can't place "shill" bids on your item to boost the price or offer false testimonials about yourself in the comment section of Internet auction sites.

You're prohibited from auctioning illegal goods; some auction sites have further prohibitions on sales of other items. While many auction sites monitor to ensure that illegal items are not being offered, the responsibility for ensuring that a sale is legal rests with the seller and buyer. Some auction sites post a list of prohibited items.

You are required to ship merchandise within the time frame specified during the auction, or within 30 days, if a time frame is not specified. If you can't meet the shipping commitment, you must give the buyer an opportunity to agree to the new shipping date or cancel the order for a full refund. To learn more about your responsibilities when shipping products, see A Business Guide to the Federal Trade Commission's Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-05 23:29:11

(back) * When describing your item and its condition, state whether it's new, used, or reconditioned.

* Anticipate questions buyers might have and address them in the description of your item or service.

* When possible, include a photograph of the item. There's much truth to the saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words."

* Specify the minimum bid you're willing to accept.

* Specify who will pay for shipping, and whether you'll ship internationally.

* State your return policy, including who's responsible for paying shipping costs or restocking fees if the item is returned.

* Let prospective bidders know whether you provide follow-up service; if you don't, tell them where they can get it.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457

(back) * Respond as quickly as possible to bidders' questions about the item you're auctioning or the terms of the sale.

* When the auction closes, print all information about the transaction, including the buyer's identification; a description of the item; and the date, time, and price of the bid. Save a copy of every email you send and receive from the auction site or the successful bidder.

* Contact the successful buyer as soon after the auction closes as possible; confirm the final cost, including shipping charges, and tell the buyer where to send payment.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457

(back) * If you accept credit card payments from the buyer directly, bill the credit card account only after you've shipped the product.

* If a buyer insists on using a particular escrow or online payment service that you've never heard of, check it out by visiting its website or calling its customer service line. If there isn't one, or if you call and can't reach someone, don't use the service. If the service claims to be affiliated with a government agency, that's a sign of a scam.

* Before agreeing to use an online payment or escrow service, read the terms of agreement. If it's an online payment service, find out who pays for credit card charge backs or transaction reversal requests if the buyer seeks them.

* Examine the service's privacy policy and security measures. Never disclose financial or personal information unless you know why it's being collected, how it will be used, and how it will be safeguarded.

* Don't use an online escrow service that does not process its own transactions, but that requires you to set up accounts with online payment services. Legitimate escrow services never do this.

* Check with the Better Business Bureau, state attorney general, or consumer protection agency — where you live and where the online payment or escrow service is based — to see whether any unresolved complaints are on file against the service. But remember that a lack of complaints doesn't guarantee that the service has no problems.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-05 23:32:43

(back)Sometimes, your bank may not alert you that a fake check or money order has been returned until after you have shipped the merchandise. If you are suspicious about a check because it is written by a third party or for any other reason, call the person who wrote the check to verify that they have authorized it. If you receive a check or money order for an amount that exceeds the successful bid, and the buyer asks that you wire the excess funds back to him or to a third party, do not wire the money. Instead, return the check to the buyer, and do not ship the merchandise.

If you accept payment by check, ask for a check drawn on a local bank, or a bank with a local branch. That way, you can make a personal visit to make sure the check is valid. If that's not possible, call the bank the check was drawn from and ask if it is valid. Get the bank's phone number from directory assistance or an Internet site that you know and trust, not from the person who gave you the check.

worried?
check here: »www.usps.com/postalinspectors/mofeatur.htm
search here: »search.reviews.ebay.com/Fake-Mon···0QQuqtZg

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-06 22:14:44

(back)If you have problems during a transaction, try to work them out directly with the seller, buyer, or site operator. If that doesn't work, file a complaint with:

* the attorney general's office in your state.

* your county or state consumer protection agency. Check the blue pages of the phone book under county and state government.

* the Better Business Bureau.

* the Federal Trade Commission. File a complaint online at ftc.gov.

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457

(back)all information is supported by the following agencies:



















»www.google.com/search?q=ebay+wes···official
»www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/nigeria.asp
good story: »www.darrowart.com/wp/?page_id=415

got feedback? got feedback?

Any feedback you provide is sent to the owner of this FAQ for possible incorporation and shown publically as well.

by uid1307457
last modified: 2006-10-06 22:27:55