SCAM - WATCH OUT - UNPAID ITEM DISPUTE SCAM !!!!!!!

Here we go AGAIN!  Another scam!  First time I have seen this one. 

I received an email today supposedly from eBay with a subject line that reads: Unpaid Item Dispute #130029576623 - response required.  I happen to have an unpaid item dispute going on with a non-paying bidder so this email immediately caught my attention.  There is a link included in the email, the link says: "Review the submitted details regarding the payment".  I ALMOST clicked on the link, but decided to check the 'my messages' area on my eBay account.  There was no message there, which told me the email was a FAKE a PHONY a FRAUD and ANOTHER SCAMMER!  I forwarded it to eBay s 'spoof email' service who CONFIRMED that this too was another fake email.

BEWARE!!!!!! There are so many scams going on out there it makes me glad I have some eBay experience, or I would certainly be scammed!  I am told that clicking on the link included in the email could allow a Trojan horse or some other virus in that could take control of my hard drive, monitor my keyboard strokes, and/or delete my entire C drive!

Protect yourself, the following are some quick tips: 

1. eBay does not send out email messages with strange looking links in them, they are usually all the same link (PayPal does, but you should not use the link - go directly to PayPal for your account information, I have seen MANY false 'PayPal" emails).  Always check the 'my messages' section of your account before EVEN THINKING about responding to the email.
2. If you are worried about being trapped by a tricky email, open up a new email account specifically for ebay AND NEVER USE IT!  You can do ALL of your dealings with ebay through the my message section of your eBay account - you don't even need email (except to set up the account).  Any messages that you are sent that are trustworthy and that you would normally get through email will also appear in 'my messages'.
3. NEVER EVER use an email link.  As briefly explained above, you can and eventually WILL lose EVERYTHING on your computer and create a massive entangling web of a mess for a very long time if these intelligent bums get a hold of your credit card numbers, Quicken information, Quickbooks information, bank account numbers, trading accounts and passwords, etc.  If they are able to steal your identity, you will be dealing with the IRS as well!!!!
4. eBay is profitable and a lot of fun - spread the information around on these scammers and work to keep ebay a safe trading environment!

Thanks for reading this - the more people are informed, the less negative effect these con artists will have on OUR trading site!