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How to Avoid Internet Auction Fraud
In the early days of
Internet auctions you were much more likely to be conned
than you are today. Figures from the National Fraud
Information Center for the year 2000 stated that 78%
of Internet fraud at that time took place on online
auction sites. These days the big sites have taken steps
to make their auctions safer places for their users.
Despite it being safer to buy online
from auctions today, it still pays to be on your guard
when transacting in Internet auctions. Here are some
tips to ensure you don't get ripped off.
Only buy from sellers with good feedback
scores. This is definitely one of your best protections.
Indeed, this is a feature of Internet auctions which
can't be matched by other online retailers. This independent
rating system will give you a very good indication of
which sellers can be trusted. Just make sure that the
seller has carried out enough selling auctions for it
to be a reliable indicator.
Pay by the safest means you can. This
will generally be credit card. This way, if you do have
any problems you can seek redress through your credit
card provider. Again, this is a facility you wouldn't
normally have when buying from a private individual,
so make use of this extra security feature of online
auctions.
Only use the big name auction sites.
Stay clear of the small, out of the way sites that nobody's
heard of. The bigger sites have a reputation they want
to protect. That means they'll take any fraud complaints
seriously and deal with the culprits quickly because
it's in their interest to do so.
Make sure you work out exactly what
the product or service you're intent on buying is worth
to you. If you do this at the outset you'll be in a
better position to make sure you don't overbid and end
up paying more than the item's worth. It may sound stupid,
but there are plenty of people who'll testify to having
been caught up in a bidding frenzy. Auctions can be
exciting and addictive, but it doesn't make sense to
pay more for items at auction than those items can readily
be bought for elsewhere.
Remember that when you place a bid you
have, in effect, entered into a contract with the seller.
Don't place a bid if you don't really want the item.
If you don't adhere to this rule that pink, floral toilet
seat could be yours!
And finally, the golden rule for buying
on Internet auction sites - if it sounds too good to
be true, it very probably is.
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