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