Scams can be Avoided!

eBay should be commended for it's efforts to crack down and educate consumers on scams. Possibly the site can't policy every effort done by crooks phishing for your personal info, cracking down on excessive unethical business practices like excessive shipping and handling, or abuse of the Ask A Seller A Question.

Common Sense is The Best Weapon - Read On!

So, what can I do to protect myself and enjoy eBay? First, if you get a suspious email don't instantly respond to a embedded link. If you leave your mouse on it - the link will have words not even related to eBay, and thus lead to a form if clicked asking for your personal info. Unsure still.  Don't worry simply log on to eBay and check your e-mail.  Every so often it's a good practice to change your user info. 

Ever put a high bid on an item only to lose. Yet, a few days go by and an email informs you that the winning bidder dropped off. A red flag should go up. Contact the seller, look to see if they have a high feedback ratting. An honest seller will tell you that they never sent an email. It's a good habit to get into since people these days have multiple or back-up email accounts in case their Internet Service Provider has problems.

When paying use a service like Paypal. At least there's some recourse if indeed one is trying to defraud.  Use a Credit Card on high end purchases. Credit card companies hate losing money and will settle disputes. Western Union is not a wise move since anybody can claim money at the grocery store without showing very little proof of id.

Check the eBay user Id via the help glossary. People saying they want to buy items you don't offer or send a payment for merchandise you never offered are trying to get your id, etc. When you check eBay User ID - guess what = User Not Registered.

I got taken - What Can I do?

Contact eBay and send the entire email. Consult you local attorney general's office and lastly, the FBI Cybercrime Site. Of you paid by credit card - at least there's some security.

In closing, eBay isn't the only site facing these scams. Finally, this is nothing new. Remember the Nigerian Lottery Scams send to fax machines to various offices? Be wise and use common sense and eBay will be more enjoyable!

Thanks for reading my Article - MJM Covers & Postcards.