SCAMS - Don't be duped

WOW WHAT A BARGAIN

So you're looking for something expensive ... a plasma TV, a computer, or maybe a vehicle.  You do a search on eBay and are amazed at some bargains you run across.  Well, you've heard the stories about all of the AWESOME DEALS that can be made on eBay ... and by golly, it sure seems to be true.

You email the seller and they offer to end the auction right now and sell it to you at an outstanding price.  You think you've won the lottery, and do the happy dance.  Sometimes they will even claim that the item has been inspected by eBay and is residing in an eBay warehouse.  This is a total lie.  Ebay has no inspection team and has no warehouses.

Next they will ask you to send a Money Order.  You comply and then wait for your item to be delivered.  And you wait.  And then you go to check on that seller and find that he/she is NARU (Not A Registered User.)  Frantic phone calls and emails to eBay results in emails explaining to you how to avoid fraud and offer absolutely no help whatsoever to you as the buyer.

WHAT CAN YOU DO

Unfortunately, there's little to no recourse for you.  You can call the police department in the town where you sent the Money Order.  If it's a slow day or you happen to get ahold of a friendly officer, he might drive by the address and check if it's valid.  You can also put the address into Google and see what information you might be able to find.  Chances are, it's an apartment and your "seller" is no longer there.  Police departments are so overworked, that it is very unlikely that you will be able to get any assistance from them.

IN SUMMARY

• If a deal is too good to be true, be very wary
• If you have to "hurry" because the opportunity will soon go away, say no thank you
• If a seller wants to sell a very expensive item outside of eBay, just say no.
• If an auction requires "Pre-Approved" bidders, that might be fine, or it might be a scam.  If they will sell the item on eBay, then it's most likely OK.  But if they're using that feature to try to make an off-eBay deal, just say no.

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