( 
)
Please visit: http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general/alerts.htm
Consumer Alerts
Scam Artists Posing As Sellers on eBay
Consumers should be on the alert for scam artists posing as sellers on eBay, the California-based Internet auction site, who victimize bidders through bogus second chance offers. To avoid falling victim to this scam, we offer some tips and precautions below.
In the emerging fraud scheme, scam artists try to lure bidders interested in a product away from the e-Bay web site by using “My Message,” which allows seller and buyers to communicate on the auction site. Through posted messages, legitimate sellers are able to build a positive reputation from customer ratings, product reviews and favorable reports on business transactions.
Manipulating the eBay messaging system, the scam artist posing as the seller contacts bidders to announce the winning bid fell through and offers a second chance to buy the product by wiring the purchase price to the non-eBay email address provided. The scam artist is counting on consumers being tricked into a direct sale and being lured by the positive feedback seen on eBay. However, the message is actually from a con artist who assumed the identity of the legitimate seller who already sold the item to the winning bidder. The second chance bidder who falls for this scam is left empty handed, paying for a product that will never arrive.
Here are tips to protect yourself:
* Stay on eBay's web site. Using the site and its service affords you certain protections, like the eBay feedback system or buyer protection program.
* Do not wire money to a seller. Both Western Union and MoneyGram International encourage you to not use their services when paying for eBay purchases.
* Do not send a check directly to a "seller" who contacts you after the auction has ended and offers to sell you the item on which you originally bid.
* Use a payment method specifically designed for Internet auction sites, like PayPal or BidPay.
* Report suspected fraudulent activity to eBay's Customer Support. This includes reporting anyone who solicits you to buy or sell your items off eBay's site.
To report fraud to the California Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission at: https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01
Better Business Bureau at: http://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/complaintlink.aspx
California's Attorney General at: http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/consumer_complaint.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alright lets get down to the real deal now
As a buyer you should Google products & use a real online stores & use your credit card so you are protected from fraud.
Most people use ebay and get excited because they are bidding on items, its a rush huh.
Price watch things and see how cheap you can find it online at a real store with real protection from fraud.
Then make your comparison to the crap ebay sells and you will see it is overpriced.
Here is a great loophole in eBay and Paypal if the Seller is an idiot.
And don't you make this mistake if you want to sell items.
If a buyer purchases on item on ebay and has it shipped out to them, Paypal and Bidpay both require a tracking number and signature upon delivery otherwise the seller is not protected from fraud.
So if you are a stupid seller and send the item out in regular mail or you have it shipped and not require a signature then a buyer can simply claim he/she never received the item and Paypal & Bidpay alike will refund the money to this buyer.
If you mail things out to an unconfirmed address with Paypal or mail and item to a different address under Bidpay it will also not be covered even if you get tracking numbers and require a signature.
Crazy stuff huh.
So as a buyer you can defraud sellers for sending items without proof of signature and tracking numbers or if they do send it correctly to an unconfirmed address. All you have to do is file the claim and you can defraud sellers all day long with this system. So if you plan to sell items don't be stupid.
Have you ever wondered why shipping is so much on ebay?
Well, now you know that it is because of the shipping requirement. So if you go online to a store then you can have it sent out cheaper and wow you are protected from fraud by your credit card. So do the math you pay more on eBay.
But if you don't believe in Karma and find a stupid seller then it might just be free stuff for you on eBay.
Here are some good laughs for everyone
Google: ebay sucks
Read some blogs and laugh at how crappy this auction service is from real users
Read some blogs and laugh at how crappy this auction service is from real users
Guide created: 08/26/06 (updated 01/11/09)
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 
