Here are a few tried and true methods for protecting yourself in the world's most fun (unless you get burned) market place -- Ebay!  Nothing can be more disappointing then to go try it, only to wind up with a horrible buying experience or having your identity stolen.  So, here, in a quick guide for buyers and sellers, are some critical security lessons to keep your experience a positive one!

There is a critical point I must make up front:  Buyers and Sellers BEWARE!  This message is out there in many forms, but sometimes it just doesn't arrive in time for new Ebayers!  So, please take note and REMEMBER:   NEITHER Ebay nor Paypal will EVER send you an email asking you to verify your account or asking you to divulge any other personal information or passwords.  NOT EVER!  So please, don't fall for this insidious identity or account theft device. 

Ebay and Paypal already have your home address, telephone numbers and your credit information.  They have no need to email you concerning your account and they simply DO NOT DO IT --EVER.  Ebay and Paypal also have no need to ask you for account names or passwords either and will NEVER do so.  You would never give a stranger your house keys -- your passwords are keys to your account.  Keep them safe and away from strangers.  Paypal or Ebay, should they need to contact you, will call or get in touch by snail mail if there is a problem.

Members will, with disgusting regularity, get emails telling them that they have paid via paypal for some extravagant item like a snow mobile, a swiss watch, expensive jewelery, expensive golf clubs -- the items they say you "bought" run the gammet.  Of course, they conveniently provide a live link for you to click on to refute the purchase, stop the shipment, etc..  Don't panic and most importantly DO NOT CLICK THE LINK.  The email (and related purchase) is bogus -- if you check your PayPal account FIRST you will see that there was never a purchase of that amount and for that item charged to your account.  Clicking on the link can download a password sniffer onto your computer or take you to a fake website that looks real where you will be asked for account information to verify the cancellation   THEY ARE STEALING THE INFORMATION TO ACCESS YOUR ACCOUNT).  The least it will do is provide thieves with the idea that you have an account and might be vulnerable to a more clever lie.  As with all fraudulent or possibly fraudulent emails -- forward them to spoof sites at eBay or PayPal.  If they are real (and of the hundreds I have received they have never been real) there is plenty of time to deal with them after PayPal or eBay advise you they are authentic.

And now another twist to the above scam is one in which you receive reciepts for purchases you never made.  Again, the same rules apply -- NEVER click on a link in an email and enter your account information.  If you receive an email, purporting to be from Paypal, confirming your purchase of an expensive item (a stereo, an expensive watch, etc.) you will see immediately that it conveniently provides a link for you to click if you did not order the item...DO NOT panic and click that link, this is also NOT REAL!  It is yet one more way in which scam artists are attempting to get you to click on the imbedded link and put in your Paypal access information.  The site can also record and forward your keystrokes providing Paypal account access information to the scam artist (those keys to your account I mentioned earlier...).  He or she will then access and plunder your Paypal account (and sometimes associated bank accounts).  Some of these emails are very convincing -- DON'T BE FOOLED!!!  If in doubt, FIRST look to see if a payment has been made for the item cited.  If so, get in touch with Paypal immediately, if not, it is a spoof like all the rest (generally the case).

In fact, while I am on the subject, your bank and your credit cards will not send you email concerning your account(s) either.  NEVER.  If you receive such correspondence in an email and are in doubt -- don't click links in them -- call your bank.  Better yet, print off the email and go into the bank!  These types of emails as known as "phishing" or "spoofs."  If you recieve one, don't click on the links, just forward them to either Spoof email addresses.  Both companies work hard to track and shut down fraudsters, if not reported, they just go on trying to victimize unsuspecting Ebayers.  So, when you forward an email to the spoof sites you are saving fellow community members!

Ahhh...now I have that out of the way, here are a few other important points to make your Ebay shopping happy and safe! 

1.  Before bidding and/or buying, be sure to check item price, shipping costs (sometimes they are very high indicating the profit is hidden here).  Check the return policy (if I hate it, can I get my money back?).  Make sure all are in synch with your expectations before you bid.  Ultimately, as angry as it can make a buyer, failure to read the details puts the responsibility for a bad purchase more likely on you.

2.  Check the Feedback (how successful is this seller?).  Feedback above 96% is a good seller -- the closer to 100%, the better.  If you still are not sure, read what the negatives are before bidding.  For instance, if the complaint is slow shipping, ask yourself if this will be a problem for you.  If it is an issue, ask the seller how often they ship, if it isn't indicated in the ad.  If it will take too long, look for another seller selling the item you want who ships faster.  If the seller doesn't respond -- take it as a sign that this seller is not the right one for you.

3.  As you can see, feedback is important.  So, Buyers -- be sure to leave feedback for your seller and don't be surprized if a seller will not leave feedback until you have left it first.  Most veteran eBayers have had feedback used as ransom enough to never leave it before you leave yours.  Like it or not, it is the culture on eBay today -- fair or not, it is the way it is.  And while we are on the subject of feedback --  Never leave negative feedback before attempting to get resolution from the seller first.  Negative Feedback is a last resort, post negotiation, not a first resort.  Feedback is to let others know that all went well or that you failed to clear up issues with the transaction with the seller. Why use it if you never even try to get resolution?  For more information on this subject, please check out my guide on Feedback.

4.  When bidding on auctions, determine the maximum amount that you are willing to pay for an item you want and then don't bid beyond that.  This is a critical discipline if online purchases through auctions are to yield true bargains for you.  Bidding wars are exciting but they also tempt you into bidding far more than the item is actually worth to you in a more lucid or sensible moment.  To help you avoid temptation, when you do bid, bid once at the absolute maximum you are willing to pay in the last minute of the auction.  Then the bidding from that point will be done by computer, only as necessary to win the item.  You won't pay your top bid unless others are warring with you for the item.  You remain sensible with the purchase because you have already declared your maximum bid.

5.  If you can, save your bidding until the last few (1-2) minutes if you have a high-speed connection.  However, for those with dial up connections - remember that someone with a cable modem can place a bid in as little time as 2 seconds!  Never bid early unless you want to take away the "Buy it Now" option and force the sale to go through an online auction.  If  you have dial up connections, it is almost impossible to compete with high speed -- in those cases it is wise to make use of a bid sniping service if you must have the item.  The computer to computer communication with a sniping service is faster than any other so the liklihood you can win is there if you have a high enough price in mind. 

6.  Paying for items (Sellers, accept all forms of payments to bring in a wide base of customers -- it is worth the risk).  Buyers: 

     -  Never send cash in the mail, most sellers are honest and good people, however cash in the mail is never a good idea.  You have no proof you actually sent it and no recourse if it never arrives or you are ripped off.

     -  Checks, although often accepted, are not the best paper payment method.  Waiting for it to clear takes time and can delay shipping.  Although a fairly safe method of paying with good sellers, if a "check washing" fraudster gets hold of your personal check, they can often chemically remove the ink (and the amount you wrote) and replace it with a much higher amount.  This is a favorite fraud for drug addicts and compulsive gamblers -- beware.  At best, a washed check is an inconvenience, at worst, a horrifying experience that takes time to fix.  If you prefer to write checks, open a small checking account for that purpose.  Alternatively, write your checks with new (and inexpensive), indelible inks designed to stop check washing.  For sellers, be careful about bounced check fees - they can be expensive but are very rare.

     -  Money Orders, are great.  They are same as cash, always available to buy at every bank, post office and even some retail outlets.  However, they are often inconvenient to purchase (drive, go to the store, wait in line, etc.).  The cost for a money order is about equal to Paypal fees.  So, why not open a Paypal account.  Strangely, some sellers only accept payment through Paypal.  So, beware of bidding on auctions that only accept PayPal if you do not have an account and do not intend to get one.  Sellers -- beware of limiting your sales by limiting the instuments of payment you accept.

     -  Paypal -- is your trusted online solution.  Paypal has built in fraud protections (please read terms carefully). Paypal can protect you from online fraudulent ads and unscrupuloous sellers.  The payment is lighting fast from you to seller.  Paying fast means you receive your goods fast too.  The fees are very reasonable for the service and convenience too - a PERFECT solution and, with few exceptions, sellers love it and love you for using it!

6.  First, keep in mind that in the cases of perceived buyer and seller fraud, each is more often the result of miscommunication rather than true fraud.  Before you contact the buyer or seller -- seek to understand.  Revisit the ad and read it carefully.  Does it promise the item that was delivered or purchased?  If not, start with a factual communication to the seller, explaining what you believe was wrong and what you believe would be an acceptable solution ) i.e., return for full or partial refund, etc..  If this avenue fails, the seller does not respond or harasses you -- you may indeed have buyer or seller fraud.  If you paid with PayPal -- seek their assistance.

7.  If it is Buyer fraud:  A Person bids, wins (a contract now exists) and bidder never pays.  These are Non Paying Bidders (NPBs).  Every seller faces this eventually when you sell on Ebay.  Ebay provides great tools for dealing with NPBs -- and they can be managed.  Remember to keep your interactions with the NPBs crisp and professional - always.  Take these required and important steps to recover your fees and sort it out for yourself:

     -  After your specified deadline for payment (and make sure your ads contain one), contact the buyer (be polite) and ask for payment.  Politely give a date by which you expect payment. 

     -  If no response (check your spam filters and junk mail folders to be sure the buyer has not attempted to contact you).  If no response and no payment is received by the deadline, file a NPB complaint with Ebay.  Then follow through by placing the NPB in your Blocked Bidders list located in Sellers Resources.  Having to chase any non-paying bidder for payment more than once is not something any seller should deal with.  Generally NPBs bring other problems to you too, and you don't need the constant complaining and misery.  So blocking them from future sales is in your best interest.  I would also strong;y recommend that you block any customer who canot communicaqte with you civilly or is problematic in the dealing.  Having to deal with a problem customer once is fate - twice or more it becomes a waste of precious time and energy.

     -  Next, Ebay will seek to mediate payment through your NPB report. In the event they fail, the follow through for Ebay is to return your final value fee (FVF) for the incomplete sale.  Be sure to check into your disputes and click the appropriate line to get you FVF returned when the time is up.

8.  Seller Fraud:  Here are some simple ways to guard against seller fraud:

      -  Check feedback before dealing with any seller, as discussed above.  Then attempt honest communication!!

      -  Ask questions before bidding.  If the ad is incomplete in any way -- ask before you buy so you are sure what you are bidding on is what you are looking for and want to buy.  What is not said, can be as important as what is said.  I also believe that good sellers will answer you and help you feel at ease too.

      -  If negative feedback is necessary, always leave FACTUAL negative feedback for unscrupulous sellers - it serves as a crital warning to the community that this one is to be avoided.  Negative feedback makes it tough for fraudulent sellers to continue working on Ebay over the long term.  However, if you are new to eBay make sure you are leaving negative feedback because the transaction was fraudulent NOT as a critique of your item. 

9.  Beware of fake escrow accounts for high priced items.  If you are about to purchase an expensive item, it is very wise to take a few minutes to visit Ebay's Help section and read, Using Escrow.  It HONESTLY could save you a fortune.

10.  Only answer your eBay messages inside of eBay (they are real messages inside eBay).  Download the eBay tool bar.  Its free and it will warn you when you are about to visit a suspected fraudulent site!

OK, now you are armed to guard your accounts and can feel more secure in your Ebay experiences... Millions buy and sell on Ebay every day and enjoy it without incident -- now you can too. 

This short review concerning your self protection should be only one lesson on how to keep yourself and your family safe while online.  Now you have read this overview, please take time occassionally to read more about security precautions available on the Ebay and Paypal websites as well as those provided through your internet service  provider's security package (AOL, Comcast, AT&T, Earthlink, etc.).  Each provides key information to keep you updated on possible threats.  Each also provides updated tools specifically developed to help you keep you and your family safe from online predators of all descriptions.  These tools (such as the Ebay Account Guard tool bar), are often made available to customers free of charge, too! 

Happy shopping and Happy Bidding!!  Please drop by my auctions and sales (Pepper120851) at The Write Place.  Feel free to drop me a note if you have any questions. 

Happy Holidays and Happy and Safe Ebaying, Pepper120851

If this article is useful too you, I sure would appreciate it if you would scroll down and leave a helpfulness vote  I surely would appreciate it because it is nice that people appreciate your effort to share critical learning and information!  I sincerely thank you in advance for your time!

Happy Ebaying, Pepper120851