Buying or Selling on the Internet

The facts and figures from Symantec Securitycommon sense when assessing the method of
Response and the Internet Crime Complaint Centerpayment. Be cautious and aware of laws governing
are both fascinating and alarming. If you have thoughtsellers is other countries, international sales may have
about buying or selling on the Internet, especially witha dubious outcome Ask for written confirmation
Internet Auction Sites, make sure that you are awareregarding expected delivery and warranty or
of the best practices and the potential pitfalls beforeexchange return options To avoid unexpected costs,
you do. An identity is a terrible thing to waste. Howfind out if shipping and delivery are included or
much for your identity? According to a Blog fromadditional cost Never give out your Social Security
Symantec Security Response, the following is the costNumber, Driver's License Number, Bank Account
for your identity on the black market $14-18 for yourNumbers or personal information to the seller, they do
complete identity $1-6 for a US Credit Card $2-12 for anot need it Be very cautious of special offers that
UK Credit Card $10 for a World of Warcraft Accountarrive by unsolicited email, you are typically better to
Internet Crime Complaint Center The Internet Crimedelete these without opening them, especially if there
Complaint Center (IC3) was established as aare attached files Do not give your credit card
partnership between the National White Collar Crimeinformation over the phone Do not make purchases
Center (NW3C) and the Federal Bureau ofonline if you are using an unsecured wireless access
Investigation (FBI) to receive, develop and refer criminalpoint If you are a victim of fraud, report it to your credit
complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena ofcard companies and to the authorities immediately
cyber crime. IC3 released the sixth annual compilationBest Practice to Sell on Internet Auction Sites Take a
of complaints received and referred to lawlittle time to understand how Internet Auctions work
enforcement or regulatory agencies for appropriateand what your obligations are as a seller. Use secure
action. The following statistics are based on the IC3web sites. If you sell from your own web site, then
2006 Annual Report Complaint submissions decreasedinvestigate how to offer secure credit card
by 10.4%, from 231,493 in 2005 to 207,492 in 2006transactions Publicly list the actions that you will take to
Total Dollar Amount of reported losses increased frominsure the transaction and the delivery. List contact
$183.12 Million in 2005 to $198.44 Million in 2006 Mostinformation and street address if you are a business.
Common Reason for complaints 44.9% InternetProvide a daytime phone number and email address
Auction Fraud 19.0% Non-Delivered Merchandise and /for inquiries. Make it easy for the consumer to validate
or Payment 4.9% Check Fraud 4.8% Credit / Debityour authenticity. Take care of your customers and
Fraud Most Common Amounts of reported loss 39.3%ask for feedback, especially if the transaction resulted
reported loss between $100 to $1000 31.6% reportedin a satisfactory experience. Be cautious and aware
loss between $1000 to $5000 15.6% reported loss lessof laws governing buyers in other countries,
than $100 Of those who reported a loss, the Averageinternational sales may have a dubious outcome Post
(median) amount of the reported loss $5100 Nigerianyour policy regarding delivery options and related fees,
Letter Fraud $3744 Check Fraud $602 Internetwarranty or exchange return options, and payment
Auction Fraud $585 Non-Delivered Merchandise and /terms and conditions Build reciprocal links with other
or Payment $427 Credit / Debit Card Fraud Mostreputable merchants to establish your authenticity Post
Common Methods of Contact: 73.9% Email 36.0%pictures of the merchandise Provide detailed
Web Page 17.7% Telephone 12.0% Instant Messengerdescriptions of the merchandise, including specifications,
10.3% Postal Mail Best Practice to Buy on Internetfeatures, new or used, etc. Research other listings for
Auction Sites Learn your obligations as a buyer beforesimilar merchandise to see what information your
you place a bid. Find out what actions the seller willcompetitors are providing so you will have some
take to insure the transaction and the delivery.additional insight into what your customers may need
Research the seller, especially if the only availableto see and compare
information is an email address. Check with the Better__________________ Words of Wisdom
Business Bureau if it is a business. Use Google search,"Organized crime in America takes in over forty billion
Yahoo and other web sites to investigate the seller.dollars a year and spends very little on office supplies."
Try to obtain a physical address. Be wary if the mailing- Woody Allen "There is no den in the wide world to
address is a Post Office Box number. If there is ahide a rogue. Commit a crime and the earth is made
telephone number provided, call it to make sure that itof glass. Commit a crime, and it seems as if a coat of
is working and legitimate. Send an email to validate thatsnow fell on the ground, such as reveals in the woods
it is an active email address. Be wary of sellers thatthe track of every partridge, and fox, and squirrel." -
use free email services that do not require a creditRalph Waldo Emerson "The scars of others should
card to open an account. Check Seller history and beteach us caution.
wary if there is previous negative feedback. Use