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Internet Fraud Prevention Tips

The Internet offers a global marketplace for consumers and businesses.

But crooks also recognize the potentials of cyberspace. The same scams that have been conducted by mail and phone can now be found on the World Wide Web and in email, and new cyberscams are emerging. It’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between reputable online sellers and criminals who use the Internet to rob people. You can protect yourself by learning how to recognize the danger signs of fraud. If you are a victim or attempted victim of Internet fraud, it’s important to report the scam quickly so that law enforcement agencies can shut the fraudulent operations down.

Know who you’re dealing with. If the seller or charity is unfamiliar, check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau. Some Web sites have feedback forums, which can provide useful information about other people’s experiences with particular sellers. Get the physical address and phone number in case there is a problem later.

Look for information about how complaints are handled. It can be difficult to resolve complaints, especially if the seller or charity is located in another country. Look on the Web site for information about programs the company or organization participates in that require it to meet standards for reliability and help to handle disputes.

Be aware that no complaints is no guarantee. Fraudulent operators open and close quickly, so the fact that no one has made a complaint yet doesn’t meant that the seller or charity is legitimate. You still need to look for other danger signs of fraud.

Don’t believe promises of easy money. If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam.

Understand the offer. A legitimate seller will give you all the details about the products or services, the total price, the delivery time, the refund and cancellation policies, and the terms of any warranty.

Resist pressure. Legitimate companies and charities will be happy to give you time to make a decision. It’s probably a scam if they demand that you act immediately or won’t take “No” for an answer.

Think twice before entering contests operated by unfamiliar companies. Fraudulent marketers sometimes use contest entry forms to identify potential victims.

Be cautious about unsolicited emails. They are often fraudulent. If you are familiar with the company or charity that sent you the email and you don’t want to receive further messages, send a reply asking to be removed from the email list. However, responding to unknown senders may simply verify that yours is a working email address and result in even more unwanted messages from strangers. The best approach may simply be to delete the email.

Beware of imposters. Someone might send you an email pretending to be connected with a business or charity, or create a Web site that looks just like that of a well-known company or charitable organization. If you’re not sure that you’re dealing with the real thing, find another way to contact the legitimate business or charity and ask.

Guard your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.

Beware of “dangerous downloads.” In downloading programs to see pictures, hear music, play games, etc., you could download a virus that wipes out your computer files or connects your modem to a foreign telephone number, resulting in expensive phone charges. Only download programs from Web sites you know and trust. Read all user agreements carefully.

Pay the safest way. Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly. There are new technologies, such as “substitute” credit card numbers and password programs, that can offer extra measures of protection from someone else using your credit card.

here is a quick rundown of topic ;-) )

Fake cashier checks and money orders are not uncommon: Banks may cash or deposit fake checks and then hold you responsible when they discover the problem days later.

Beware of imposters: Someone might send you an email pretending to be connected with a business or charity, or create a website that looks just like that of a well-known company or charitable organization. If you’re not sure that you’re dealing with the real thing, find another way to contact the legitimate business or charity and ask.

Understand the offer: A legitimate seller will give you all the details about the products or services, the total price, the delivery time, the refund and cancellation policies and the terms of any warranty. When renting an apartment or condo, make sure you see the full contract prior to putting any money down.

Resist pressure: A legitimate seller/ business/ charity will be happy to give you time to make a decision. It may be a scam if they demand that you act immediately or won’t take “No” for an answer.

Guard your personal information: Don’t provide any personal information to any seller/ business/ charity unless you know exactly who you are dealing with. Be very guarded with your bank account and credit card numbers. Your social security number should not be provided to anyone unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has; tell the company representative that you will call the company’s main number back.

Pay the safest way: Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly. There are new technologies, such as “substitute” credit card numbers and password programs, that can offer extra measures of protection from someone else using your credit card.

How to Reduce the Risk of Being Scammed

Though there is no sure way to prevent yourself from being a victim of fraud (especially where online auctions are concerned).

However, the following measures can be taken to significantly reduce you chances of becoming a scammer’s next victim.
1. Prior To Bidding:
Check The Seller’s FeedBack:
Always remember to check a seller’s feedback rating before placing a bid, the feedback rating is your most useful tool in determining whether a seller is legitimate or not. You should never bid on sellers with low feedback, no feedback, or excessive negative feedback, especially in regards to high priced items.

Ask The Seller Questions:
This is not only useful in answering whatever questions you might have, but it can also give you an idea of what type of communication you can expect from the seller as well (is he/she fast, slow, detailed, vague, helpful, poor, rude, etc.). Remember, never place your bid until all of your questions have been answered.

Know Your Item:
Make sure you know what you are bidding on before you place a bid. You should always know exactly what you are bidding on, including its relative value before placing your bid. Don’t always trust the seller’s description, it may seem like a deal if the seller sells you a clock for $20, that’s worth $50, but not if you can go to Wal-Mart and buy the same thing for $10.

Agree to and Accept Seller’s Terms:
Remember the seller sets the terms of the auction. If you do not agree with the seller’s terms, you shouldn’t bid on the item. Don’t expect the seller to change the terms just for you, simply because you’re the highest bidder (If the seller only sells locally and you live internationally, you can only bid if the seller agrees to let you bid before the auction is over.)
Know Shipping Costs:
Make sure you agree to shipping as well. If you think a seller should ship a different way, or is overcharging for shipping, you must ask him/her beforehand if they will ship another way. If you and the seller can’t agree on shipping then don’t place your bid.
2. After Placing Your Bid:
Obtain The Seller’s Contact Information:
The very first thing you should do after placing your bid is copy down any and all of the seller’s contact information. Therefore it is better to have it as early in the transaction as possible. Remember, you should always have a way (other than email) to contact your seller.
Set Your Personal Limit:
Decide beforehand the maximum amount that you are willing to pay for the item, and stick to it. Don’t get caught up in the heat of the moment, only to end up paying a lot more money then you originally intended.
3. After Winning The Auction:
Verify The Seller’s Contact Information:
You should try to verify the seller’s contact information before sending payment. Make sure you keep an eye out for any inaccuracies. (If a seller’s contact information were to state his location to be somewhere in Europe, yet his auctions claim his location to be somewhere in the United States; there may be some cause for concern.)
NOTE: If a seller’s contact information is at all fraudulent, you have no further obligations to complete the transaction. Furthermore the majority of scam artists use phony contact information in conducting their scams.
Send Traceable Payment (When Possible):
After confirming that the seller has a valid address, you should prepare to send payment. Whenever possible you should pay via a protected form of payment. Some forms of protected payment are:
Credit Cards: If you do not receive your item, or if it is not as described, and the seller refuses to correct the matter you have the right to initiate a credit card charge back. In many cases all of the funds can be recovered.

Valid Escrow Services: Escrow.com is probably the most secure escrow service available for internet auctions. An escrow service allows the buyer to receive his/her merchandise before the seller receives payment. Some sellers do not like escrows because payments can be delayed by up to 3 weeks.

Cash On Delivery (COD):This is a very rare form of payment for internet auctions, however it should be taken advantage of whenever available.

If protected forms of payment are not available, you should still try and have payment sent via some traceable means, these could include:

Online Electronic Payments: This includes services such as billpoint and paypal.com. These services keep a record of a transaction and will try to assist you if any funds are lost.

BidPay.com: A service provided by western union where a money order is sent to the seller on the buyer’s behalf (the buyer has to purchase it of course). This is a traceable method, however there is not very much that can be done in the event of your money being stolen.

Lastly if any of the above payments can not be utilized other forms of payment such as money orders, cash, cheque, are usually sent.

Money Orders, Cash, Check: When sending money orders, etc., buyer’s should have payment sent via registered mail or a priority postal service with delivery confirmation. Buyers should also utilize the signature confirmation option when available. If an item is never received the buyer can report the scammer for mail fraud.

NEVER USE WESTERN UNION OR SIMILAR SERVICES TO PAY FOR AUCTIONS.
These services are meant to be used between two parties who know each other personally. Western Union is not safe for auction payments, and I would estimate at least 9 out of 10 sellers who only accept Western Union for payment are commiting fraud.
Know Your Rights (US and Canada):
Some sellers try and trick their buyers into believing they have no rights when it comes to internet auctions.
For Example: Some sellers try to convince buyers that if insurance is not paid for the seller has no responsibility if the item is not delivered or arrives damaged. Other sellers have been known to purposely mislead buyers, later claiming the auction was not misleading to them and it was the buyers fault for not reading carefully.

Your Rights As A Buyer:

First, US and Canadian Federal Law prohibits the use of deceptive or misleading acts in commerce, which includes Internet auctions. Sellers are required to advertise your product or service and the terms of the sale honestly and accurately. If a seller fails to do so he/she is breaking the law.

Secondly, After the auction closes, sellers are required to ship the merchandise within the time frame designated during the auction or, if no time frame is specified, within 30 days. If a seller can’t meet the shipping commitment, he/she must give the buyer an opportunity to cancel the order for a full refund or agree to the new shipping date. Sellers are completely responsible for an items safe delivery whether or not insurance is purchased.
Leave FeedBack Only When The Transaction is Complete:
A seller’s most important resource is his/her feedback. You should never leave feedback until the transaction is completely finished. This means either both parties are satisfied or one (or both) parties refuses to participate any further in the transaction.
Often if you leave negative feedback too early the other party may become reluctant to assist you any further in the matter.