Journal Entries
Surviving Ebay
Posted Jan 23, 2004
Ebay is a great place to buy and sell things. Because of its feedback system, you can guage most people's honesty and reliability. But like with all electronic systems, it can be hacked. So someone who seems to have a few hundred positive feedbacks might actually be a sweet talking scammer who will take your money first, and laugh in your screen after.
A recently exposes scam artist admitted bilking 2 million out of ebay in 2 years. Thats ok money for all the 'everybody elses' out there, but a 'you' and a 'me' ought to be a little more shopping-savvy.
So, first of all, Beware Expensive Items. If you limit your purchases to ten dollar items, it isnt likely that anyone will be trying to cheat you. But if you happen to need a cheap TV or scanner, just be wary, scam artists will be practically competing for your business.
How to tell a scammer from the real thing: Its tough. You cant rely on the feedback, becuase any theif isnt going to advertise his bad record. Usually they hijack other peoples good records and use that to trade through. Some scammers have up to a thousand names, all chock full of complimentary feedback.
Neither can you ask the fellow if he's a theif. Most likely he'll reply with some story about how he would never cheat you and risk his livelihood and twin daughters and gorgeous wife. Which would just make you feel guilty for asking.
The thing to do is watch the persons transacting. First of all, if he offers you a deal off the regular ebay platform, your warning lights should go off. If he offers sudden price cuts, sirens should start sounding. If he claims to operate out of some foreign country you've never heard of since high school, (or if you're in high school, then your last history class,) start backing away. If he insists you use a certain escrow service, turn around and start running. And finally, if you are, for some reason still going through with the trasaction, demand to see the goods before paying the full price.
NEVER, EVER, give the person any numbers: that is, the wire number if you're wiring over money, your account number, be it bank or otherwise, or even your phone number. A well informed online scammer can do a lot with your email and phone number.
Lastly, if you suspect someone of being a scammer, dont tell them so. Immediatly inform the authorities, and back away slowly. If you threaten or get dramatic, they might do the same back. And since they were able to steal so many other ebay identities, there's no reason they shouldn't be able to use yours.
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Latest reply: Jan 23, 2004
Microbes!
Posted Jan 4, 2004
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Latest reply: Jan 4, 2004
Surviving Ebay
Posted Oct 30, 2003
Ebay is a dangerous place full of sweet talking con men and people just plotzing to take your money and laugh in your screen after. A recently exposes scam artist admitted bilking 2 million out of ebay in 2 years. Thats ok money for all the 'everybody elses' out there, but a 'you' and a 'me' ought to be a little more shopping-savvy.
So, first of all, Beware Expensive Items. If you limit your purchases to ten dollar items, it isnt likely that anyone will be trying to cheat you. But if you happen to need a cheap TV or scanner, just be wary, scam artists will be practically competing for your business.
How to tell a scammer from the real thing: Its tough. You cant rely on the feedback, becuase any theif isnt going to advertise his bad record. Usually they hijack other peoples good records and use that to trade through. Some scammers have up to a thousand names, all chock full of complimentary feedback.
Neither can you ask the fellow if he's a theif. Most likely he'll reply with some story about how he would never cheat you and risk his livelihood and twin daughters and gorgeous wife. Which would just make you feel guilty for asking.
The thing to do is watch the persons transacting. First of all, if he offers you a deal off the regular ebay platform, your warning lights should go off. If he offers sudden price cuts, sirens should start sounding. If he claims to operate out of some foreign country you've never heard of since high school, (or if you're in high school, then your last history class,) start backing away. If he insists you use a certain escrow service, turn around and start running. And finally, if you are, for some reason still going through with the trasaction, demand to see the goods before paying the full price.
NEVER, EVER, give the person any numbers: that is, the wire number if you're wiring over money, your account number, be it bank or otherwise, or even your phone number. A well informed online scammer can do a lot with your email and phone number.
Lastly, if you suspect someone of being a scammer, dont tell them so. Immediatly inform the authorities, and back away slowly. If you threaten or get dramatic, they might do the same back. And since they were able to steal so many other ebay identities, there's no reason they shouldn't be able to use yours.
Discuss this Journal entry [6]
Latest reply: Oct 30, 2003
Leo
Researcher U519437
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