| eBay sales may have grown 51% last year over | | | | recommendations from Paypal's Protection for |
| the previous year, but general online complaints | | | | Sellers section include:Ship only to the address |
| jumped by 66.6% over the previous year to | | | | listed on the Transaction Details pageUse a |
| some 207,000+ complaints in 2004. The Internet | | | | shipping service with trackingCheck out the |
| Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a partnership | | | | buyer's reputationAccept payment from only one |
| between the FBI and the National White Collar | | | | Paypal account per buyerLimit credit card |
| Crime Center (NW3C), stated in its yearly report | | | | paymentsEnhancing Your Safe Seller ImageHere |
| that 71.2% of all complaints received pertained to | | | | are a few tips that will help improve your image |
| auctions.Online fraud is a growing problem on the | | | | as a safe seller for your bidders.Identify Yourself |
| internet and the auction segment is far from | | | | - Make use of the about me pages to let your |
| immune. The IC3 reports that most complaints | | | | customers know who you are, how long you've |
| consist of late or no shipment of products, items | | | | been in business and how much their business |
| that don't match advertised condition and bogus | | | | means to you. Be honest.Feedback Ratings - |
| payment or escrow services.If you decide to | | | | Auction buyers want to see 100% positive |
| offer "all items to be shipped within 24 hours", | | | | feedback.Methods of Payment - Make it easy for |
| make sure you keep your word, and go to great | | | | your customers to buy but consider convenience, |
| lengths to honestly represent and describe the | | | | cost and security in choosing any payment |
| item in your auctions. Your bidders will appreciate | | | | method you offer.Full Disclosure - Your auction |
| your honesty and it will eventually show up in | | | | listings should clearly state the condition of the |
| your feedback.As consumer fears increase, there | | | | item you're auctioning, your shipping/insurance and |
| are a number of common sense ways to help | | | | return policies.Bonding programs - A number of |
| protect you from fraud, as well as enhance your | | | | bonding programs are available on the internet. |
| reputation as a trustworthy seller and set you | | | | One of the more popular is BuySafe ( In a |
| apart from the crowd.Watch Out for Bad Checks, | | | | bonding program the seller agrees to certain |
| Money Orders and Cashiers Checks | | | | obligations such as shipping on time, representing |
| Years ago I had a buyer who complained rather | | | | the item correctly, and standing behind the |
| loudly when I didn't ship an item as soon as I | | | | transaction. In return the seller can display a seal |
| received the check in the mail. In hind site it was | | | | on their auctions showing bidders they are honest |
| a good decision to hold the shipment since the | | | | sellers and providing transaction insurance in some |
| check ended up being fraudulent. Bad checks, | | | | cases up to $25,000.Other programs you should |
| money orders, and cashiers checks are rampant | | | | be familiar with include:IDVerify |
| in ecommerce today. The simplest way to offset | | | | SquareTrade |
| the danger of bad paper is not to ship the auction | | | | Trust-eIf You Become a Victim of Online |
| item until the check, money order or cashier | | | | FraudYou need to know exactly what should be |
| check clears your bank for | | | | done in the event you are victimized. Make your |
| payment.OverpaymentsNever accept any | | | | plan now, before it happens. The most |
| overpayments for any item. One of the more | | | | recommended steps to take if you are victimized |
| popular scams today is for a buyer to send a | | | | are listed below but please keep in mind these are |
| cashiers check for an amount that is higher than | | | | general recommendations and you should have |
| the agreed upon final price. They then claim it was | | | | you own plan based on your needs.File a complaint |
| in error and ask the seller to kindly return the | | | | with your auction site |
| overage when the item is shipped. Off goes the | | | | File a complaint with the Federal Trade |
| item, the overage amount in good money, and | | | | Commission |
| the defrauded seller finds out too late the cashiers | | | | File a complaint with the IC3 |
| check was fake.Use an Escrow Service for High | | | | File a complaint with the National Fraud |
| Priced ItemsThe primary purpose of escrow | | | | Information Center |
| services is to protect buyers and sellers from | | | | Contact your local and state law enforcement |
| fraud. Basically what they do is to accept the | | | | agencies |
| money from the buyer and hold it until the buyer | | | | Contact the local and state law enforcement |
| receives and approves the merchandise. Please | | | | agencies in the perpetrator's home area |
| note that fake escrow services are increasing on | | | | File a complaint with the shipping company you |
| the internet. If a buyer contacts you after a sale | | | | used |
| and recommends an escrow service you are not | | | | It the perpetrator is a business and a member |
| familiar with BEWARE. At present eBay only | | | | of the Better Business Bureau you should also file |
| recommends one escrow company: For | | | | a complaint there.Further readingPaypal Seller |
| information go to Records, RecordsKeeps a copy | | | | Protection Policy (go to your Paypal account)FTC |
| of every transaction detail from the original | | | | recommendations read the entire 2004 IC3 |
| auction listing to the last email. You will need that | | | | Internet Fraud Report Important Fraud LinksFind |
| kind of proof to validate your claims if you should | | | | Your Local Police |
| find you need to file a complaint.Protect Yourself | | | | FBI Internet Fraud Unit |
| by Being EducatedAt the very least you need to | | | | FTC Internet Fraud Unit |
| be knowledgeable about your legal obligations as a | | | | USPS Mail Fraud Copyright 2005 Steven |
| seller and familiar with the fraud protections and | | | | Woodward - All Rights ReservedSteven |
| policies for the auction sites and payment | | | | Woodward is the owner, editor and publisher of |
| processing services you use. eBay and Paypal | | | | the Auction Sellers Network (ASN); a web site for |
| have extensive sections on their websites | | | | individuals and companies who are serious about |
| dedicated to fraud policies and protections. You | | | | utilizing the online auction marketplace for their |
| should take the time to read through these or | | | | business. In addition to topical articles, ASN |
| similar information pages for the sites and | | | | provides an extensive resource center, news |
| services you use on a regular basis and be very | | | | feeds, member forums and classified ads. |
| familiar with the material.A few of the key | | | | |