Jim Wilson
04-12-2007, 09:57 PM
I really cannot believe that I feel the urge to write this here but the fact is that one of my friends got taken by this scam and so I am compelled to warn others.
I will keep this one short, sweet, and to the point.
My friend found the perfect digital camera on eBay. The seller had lots of positive feedback and was offering all sorts of electronics. And best of all the price was drastically discounted by about 60% of what he could buy it for locally. And so he bid on the item. Since it was a dutch auction he was almost a guaranteed winner.
The seller contacted him and asked for the money to be wired via Western Union to an address in Miami. He followed the instructions to the letter and sent almost $1000 via Western Union as directed. After three weeks with no contact Al called me in order to assist him. I immediately recognized the scam.
1. In the first place the eBay ID suddenly was getting pummelled with tons of negative feedback. It was quite obvious that either the ID had been sold or stolen and was no longer the person/business that had earned over 600 positive feedbacks in under a year. In addition the user ID indicated "No longer a registered user"; eBay had done its job and suspended the account.
2. Next was the fact that the previous items from the seller had been software and now it had suddenly changed to expensive electronics. All of which, according to Al, had been listed in dutch.
3. Finally was the ever-so-slight clue with regard to payment. NEVER wire transfer a payment! It is really just that simple. And since he used cash instead of a major CC Al had no coverage.
Al is a relatively intelligent person and is usually pretty savvy when it comes to business-like things. But in this case he let his guard down and got taken.
NEVER fall so much in love with any item that it clouds your good judgement and common sense.
Anyone who buys or sells online is a potential target. So long as you go into every deal with this in mind you will be much safer as you proceed with transactions.
Jim Wilson
I will keep this one short, sweet, and to the point.
My friend found the perfect digital camera on eBay. The seller had lots of positive feedback and was offering all sorts of electronics. And best of all the price was drastically discounted by about 60% of what he could buy it for locally. And so he bid on the item. Since it was a dutch auction he was almost a guaranteed winner.
The seller contacted him and asked for the money to be wired via Western Union to an address in Miami. He followed the instructions to the letter and sent almost $1000 via Western Union as directed. After three weeks with no contact Al called me in order to assist him. I immediately recognized the scam.
1. In the first place the eBay ID suddenly was getting pummelled with tons of negative feedback. It was quite obvious that either the ID had been sold or stolen and was no longer the person/business that had earned over 600 positive feedbacks in under a year. In addition the user ID indicated "No longer a registered user"; eBay had done its job and suspended the account.
2. Next was the fact that the previous items from the seller had been software and now it had suddenly changed to expensive electronics. All of which, according to Al, had been listed in dutch.
3. Finally was the ever-so-slight clue with regard to payment. NEVER wire transfer a payment! It is really just that simple. And since he used cash instead of a major CC Al had no coverage.
Al is a relatively intelligent person and is usually pretty savvy when it comes to business-like things. But in this case he let his guard down and got taken.
NEVER fall so much in love with any item that it clouds your good judgement and common sense.
Anyone who buys or sells online is a potential target. So long as you go into every deal with this in mind you will be much safer as you proceed with transactions.
Jim Wilson