Avoid credit crad fraud


Buying or Selling on the Internet

The facts and figures from Symantecthat use free email services that do not
Security Response and the Internet Crimerequire a credit card to open an
Complaint Center are both fascinatingaccount.
and alarming. If you have thought aboutCheck Seller history and be wary if
buying or selling on the Internet,there is previous negative feedback.
especially with Internet Auction Sites,Use common sense when assessing the
make sure that you are aware of the bestmethod of payment.
practices and the potential pitfallsBe cautious and aware of laws governing
before you do. An identity is a terriblesellers is other countries,
thing to waste.international sales may have a dubious
How much for your identity?outcome
According to a Blog from SymantecAsk for written confirmation regarding
Security Response, the following is theexpected delivery and warranty or
cost for your identity on the blackexchange return options
marketTo avoid unexpected costs, find out if
$14-18 for your complete identityshipping and delivery are included or
$1-6 for a US Credit Cardadditional cost
$2-12 for a UK Credit CardNever give out your Social Security
$10 for a World of Warcraft AccountNumber, Driver's License Number, Bank
Internet Crime Complaint CenterAccount Numbers or personal information
The Internet Crime Complaint Centerto the seller, they do not need it
(IC3) was established as a partnershipBe very cautious of special offers that
between the National White Collar Crimearrive by unsolicited email, you are
Center (NW3C) and the Federal Bureau oftypically better to delete these without
Investigation (FBI) to receive, developopening them, especially if there are
and refer criminal complaints regardingattached files
the rapidly expanding arena of cyberDo not give your credit card information
crime. IC3 released the sixth annualover the phone
compilation of complaints received andDo not make purchases online if you are
referred to law enforcement orusing an unsecured wireless access point
regulatory agencies for appropriateIf you are a victim of fraud, report it
action.to your credit card companies and to the
The following statistics are based onauthorities immediately
the IC3 2006 Annual ReportBest Practice to Sell on Internet
Complaint submissions decreased byAuction Sites
10.4%, from 231,493 in 2005 to 207,492Take a little time to understand how
in 2006Internet Auctions work and what your
Total Dollar Amount of reported lossesobligations are as a seller.
increased from $183.12 Million in 2005Use secure web sites. If you sell from
to $198.44 Million in 2006your own web site, then investigate how
Most Common Reason for complaintsto offer secure credit card transactions
44.9% Internet Auction FraudPublicly list the actions that you will
19.0% Non-Delivered Merchandise and / ortake to insure the transaction and the
Paymentdelivery.
4.9% Check FraudList contact information and street
4.8% Credit / Debit Fraudaddress if you are a business. Provide a
Most Common Amounts of reported lossdaytime phone number and email address
39.3% reported loss between $100 tofor inquiries. Make it easy for the
$1000consumer to validate your authenticity.
31.6% reported loss between $1000 toTake care of your customers and ask for
$5000feedback, especially if the transaction
15.6% reported loss less than $100resulted in a satisfactory experience.
Of those who reported a loss, theBe cautious and aware of laws governing
Average (median) amount of the reportedbuyers in other countries, international
losssales may have a dubious outcome
$5100 Nigerian Letter FraudPost your policy regarding delivery
$3744 Check Fraudoptions and related fees, warranty or
$602 Internet Auction Fraudexchange return options, and payment
$585 Non-Delivered Merchandise and / orterms and conditions
PaymentBuild reciprocal links with other
$427 Credit / Debit Card Fraudreputable merchants to establish your
Most Common Methods of Contact:authenticity
73.9% EmailPost pictures of the merchandise
36.0% Web PageProvide detailed descriptions of the
17.7% Telephonemerchandise, including specifications,
12.0% Instant Messengerfeatures, new or used, etc. Research
10.3% Postal Mailother listings for similar merchandise
Best Practice to Buy on Internet Auctionto see what information your competitors
Sitesare providing so you will have some
Learn your obligations as a buyer beforeadditional insight into what your
you place a 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"Organized crime in America takes in
only available information is an emailover forty billion dollars a year and
address. Check with the Better Businessspends very little on office supplies."
Bureau if it is a business. Use Google- Woody Allen
search, Yahoo and other web sites to"There is no den in the wide world to
investigate the seller.hide a rogue. Commit a crime and the
Try to obtain a physical address. Beearth is made of glass. Commit a crime,
wary if the mailing address is a Postand it seems as if a coat of snow fell
Office Box number.on the ground, such as reveals in the
If there is a telephone number provided,woods the track of every partridge, and
call it to make sure that it is workingfox, and squirrel."
and legitimate.- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Send an email to validate that it is an"The scars of others should teach us
active email address. Be wary of sellerscaution.



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