| Wherever you go in the world and whatever your | | | | PayPal that they never received the item that they |
| profession is, there will always be scammers who are | | | | ordered. Without an independent third party offering |
| trying to take advantage of people and get them to | | | | delivery confirmation, even a signed statement from |
| commit money for stuff that is fake, dangerous or | | | | your customer will be completely worthless and you |
| which simply never arrives. Most eBay fraud happens | | | | will be left holding the bag. |
| when a seller does something to try to defraud their | | | | • Fake escrow. Escrow is a great service since it's |
| customers, but there are ways for those who are | | | | designed to protect both buyer and seller. An |
| customers to commit fraud as well. Here are a few | | | | independent third party holds the money until the item |
| things to avoid if you don't want to have problems: | | | | has been received and inspected by the customer. |
| • Don't send without Shipping Confirmation. If you | | | | Once the customer certifies that the item meets their |
| ship using the USPS, you can ship using their online | | | | expectations and everything is good, the money is |
| shipping service and it will automatically add on an | | | | released to the seller. One catch though: make sure |
| extra few cents for shipping confirmation (last I | | | | that you independently verify the escrow company as |
| checked, it was 13 cents, but it may have gone up). If | | | | being legit. Even if they send you a link that looks legit |
| you do the same thing at the post office, you would | | | | (i.e. for a place like Square Trade), do not just rely on |
| pay 55 cents for the privilege of having shipping | | | | the link. Take the time to log into the company's site |
| confirmation. However, why would you care anyway if | | | | independently and look to see the money is really |
| there is shipping confirmation? Fraud – that's why. | | | | there. Just as phishing can be used to steal information, |
| The reality is that in 99% of cases, your eBay | | | | it can also be used to make it look like money has |
| transactions will go through just fine, however, if you | | | | been paid which hasn't been paid. |
| don't have proof of delivery, and then people can | | | | • Stolen credit cards. There is a reason why |
| simply claim that the item never came and PayPal will | | | | PayPal requires confirmed addresses for shipping |
| refund the money to them and take it away from you. | | | | items and why they will not protect you if you ship to |
| Speaking of that. . . | | | | an unconfirmed address. If someone steals a credit |
| • Pick up deals should be paid in cash. Some people | | | | card number and has an item shipped to an |
| may consider it more convenient to get paid with | | | | “alternate” address, you will be responsible once |
| PayPal or to make a payment with PayPal, however | | | | the real owner of the credit card shows up and |
| there is a small problem with doing this. If the person | | | | makes a claim. There is nothing PayPal can do to |
| comes by and picks something up from you after | | | | protect you from this kind of eBay fraud. |
| having paid with PayPal, they can turn around and tell | | | | |