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Though there is no sure way to
prevent yourself from being a victim of fraud (especially where
online auctions are concerned).
However, the following measures
can be taken to significantly reduce you chances of becoming a
scammer’s next victim.
1. Prior To Bidding:
Check The Seller’s FeedBack:
Always remember to check a seller’s feedback rating
before placing a bid, the feedback rating is your most useful
tool in determining whether a seller is legitimate or not. You
should never bid on sellers with low feedback, no feedback, or
excessive negative feedback, especially in regards to high
priced items.
Ask The Seller Questions:
This is not only useful in answering whatever questions
you might have, but it can also give you an idea of what type of
communication you can expect from the seller as well (is he/she
fast, slow, detailed, vague, helpful, poor, rude, etc.).
Remember, never place your bid until all of your questions have
been answered.
Know Your Item:
Make sure you know what you are bidding on before you
place a bid. You should always know exactly what you are bidding
on, including its relative value before placing your bid.
Don’t always trust the seller’s description, it may seem
like a deal if the seller sells you a clock for $20, that’s
worth $50, but not if you can go to Wal-Mart and buy the same
thing for $10.
Agree to and Accept
Seller’s Terms:
Remember the seller sets the terms of the auction. If
you do not agree with the seller’s terms, you shouldn’t bid
on the item. Don’t expect the seller to change the terms just
for you, simply because you’re the highest bidder (If the
seller only sells locally and you live internationally, you can
only bid if the seller agrees to let you bid before the auction
is over.)
Know Shipping Costs:
Make sure you agree to shipping as well. If you think a seller
should ship a different way, or is overcharging for shipping,
you must ask him/her beforehand if they will ship another way.
If you and the seller can’t agree on shipping then don’t
place your bid.
2. After Placing Your Bid:
Obtain The Seller’s Contact Information:
The very first thing you should do after placing your bid is
copy down any and all of the seller’s contact information.
Therefore it is better to have it as early in the transaction as
possible. Remember, you should always have a way (other than
email) to contact your seller.
Set Your Personal Limit:
Decide beforehand the maximum amount that you are willing to pay
for the item, and stick to it. Don’t get caught up in the heat
of the moment, only to end up paying a lot more money then you
originally intended.
3. After Winning The Auction:
Verify The Seller’s Contact Information:
You should try to verify the seller’s contact information
before sending payment. Make sure you keep an eye out for any
inaccuracies. (If a seller’s contact information were to state
his location to be somewhere in Europe, yet his auctions claim
his location to be somewhere in the United States; there may be
some cause for concern.)
NOTE: If a seller’s contact information is at all fraudulent,
you have no further obligations to complete the transaction.
Furthermore the majority of scam artists use phony contact
information in conducting their scams.
Send Traceable Payment (When Possible):
After confirming that the seller has a valid address, you should
prepare to send payment. Whenever possible you should pay via a
protected form of payment. Some forms of protected payment are:
Credit Cards: If you do not receive your item, or if it is not
as described, and the seller refuses to correct the matter you
have the right to initiate a credit card charge back. In many
cases all of the funds can be recovered.
Valid Escrow Services: Escrow.com
is probably the most secure escrow service available for
internet auctions. An escrow service allows the buyer to receive
his/her merchandise before the seller receives payment. Some
sellers do not like escrows because payments can be delayed by
up to 3 weeks.
Cash On Delivery (COD):This is a
very rare form of payment for internet auctions, however it
should be taken advantage of whenever available.
If protected forms of payment are
not available, you should still try and have payment sent via
some traceable means, these could include:
Online Electronic Payments: This
includes services such as billpoint and paypal.com. These
services keep a record of a transaction and will try to assist
you if any funds are lost.
BidPay.com: A service provided by
western union where a money order is sent to the seller on the
buyer’s behalf (the buyer has to purchase it of course). This
is a traceable method, however there is not very much that can
be done in the event of your money being stolen.
Lastly if any of the above
payments can not be utilized other forms of payment such as
money orders, cash, cheque, are usually sent.
Money Orders, Cash, Check: When
sending money orders, etc., buyer’s should have payment sent
via registered mail or a priority postal service with delivery
confirmation. Buyers should also utilize the signature
confirmation option when available. If an item is never received
the buyer can report the scammer for mail fraud.
NEVER USE WESTERN UNION
OR SIMILAR SERVICES TO PAY FOR AUCTIONS.
These services are meant to be used between two parties who know
each other personally. Western Union is not safe for auction
payments, and I would estimate at least 9 out of 10 sellers who
only accept Western Union for payment are commiting fraud.
Know Your Rights (US and Canada):
Some sellers try and trick their buyers into believing they have
no rights when it comes to internet auctions.
For Example: Some sellers try to convince buyers that if
insurance is not paid for the seller has no responsibility if
the item is not delivered or arrives damaged. Other sellers have
been known to purposely mislead buyers, later claiming the
auction was not misleading to them and it was the buyers fault
for not reading carefully.
Your Rights As A Buyer:
First, US and Canadian Federal
Law prohibits the use of deceptive or misleading acts in
commerce, which includes Internet auctions. Sellers are required
to advertise your product or service and the terms of the sale
honestly and accurately. If a seller fails to do so he/she is
breaking the law.
Secondly, After the auction
closes, sellers are required to ship the merchandise within the
time frame designated during the auction or, if no time frame is
specified, within 30 days. If a seller can’t meet the shipping
commitment, he/she must give the buyer an opportunity to cancel
the order for a full refund or agree to the new shipping date.
Sellers are completely responsible for an items safe delivery
whether or not insurance is purchased.
Leave FeedBack Only When The Transaction is Complete:
A seller’s most important resource is his/her
feedback. You should never leave feedback until the transaction
is completely finished. This means either both parties are
satisfied or one (or both) parties refuses to participate any
further in the transaction.
Often if you leave negative feedback too early the other party
may become reluctant to assist you any further in the matter.
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