Canadians Warned Of eBay Scams
Posted December 5, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
You know something’s popular when it enters the language as a stand-in for everything like it. Kleenex is a perfect example. So is Xerox or Band-Aid. And in just a few short years, eBay has come to mean an online auction site.
But with success also sometimes comes trouble. There are plenty of thieves and scam artists out in cyberspace and while the site has a good reputation, there are ways the unwary can be taken advantage of by the unscrupulous.
Of course things are especially busy online right now with the holidays and a high Canadian dollar, but with those record numbers come a record number of scams.
Don’t freak out though, there are still a few things that can be done to make your online shopping a safe and efficient experience, and chief among them is to avoid what are known as “phishing emails,” messages that come from out of nowhere and ask you for important information.
“Particularly when you’re talking about being asked for your password or login directly from an email, you should never do that,” said Andrew Sloss, a spokesman for eBay Canada.
Step two would be to check out any seller’s feedback rating to see if they’ve burned others before.
“I generally look for a level of about 98 per cent positive feedback and that gives me a level of comfort that they’re a reputable seller,” Sloss adds.
Third, experts suggest no matter what you’re looking to buy it should be done through PayPal. If the seller isn’t game, walk away.
“This is an eBay company that allows you to pay safely and securely online and offers some coverage of up to $2,000 in the event that something goes wrong,” Sloss promises.
And perhaps most importantly you can get assistance from an eBay representative at any time by clicking the “live help” icon.
Here are a few reminders for those heading to the site to do some buying or bidding on what to watch out for.
The Item
There’s just about anything you can think of on offer. But almost as important as what’s written in the description is what’s not there. As lawyers frequently say on all those TV dramas, don’t assume facts not in evidence. If something isn’t listed on the item you want to buy, don’t assume it will be there.
Warranties
There’s no real way of knowing if a piece you’re purchasing is still under warranty, unless it specifically states it. Watch out for items that are out of the guarantee period. Sometimes, they’re not in working order at all.
Keep track of the seller
You can’t always know who the person you’re buying from is, and they can easily collect your money and disappear once it’s in hand. eBay has rules about this but it’s a good idea to check more closely the vendor’s I.D., and try to get some kind of contact info, including a phone number or an actual home address. A legitimate seller shouldn’t mind, especially if they’re located out of town. Also beware if you submit questions and don’t get the kind of answers you’re expecting.
Watch out for account hijackers
There are some users who can spoof or take over an email address, fooling you into giving them your money, even though they’re not the real seller. Compare the address on file with the place you’re sending your money and make sure they match. Also watch that the email addresses stay consistent.
Watch how you pay
Don’t do it in cash. If they don’t take PayPal or cheques, but demand a money order, cash or some other untraceable form of compensation, reconsider the deal.
Leave time for delivery
Ordering something in time for Christmas won’t do you much good if it doesn’t get here in time. Be sure the vendor can deliver the item when he or she promises. If not, consider paying extra for expedited shipping or look elsewhere.
