“Second chance” auction scams spreading
Buying items online through popular auction sites such as eBay has become a major stream of commerce. But while bidding online, don’t buy into the spreading scam involving “second chance” auctions.
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is among law enforcement officials who’ve heard so many complaints that they’re sounding the alarm.
Here’s how it works. Online shoppers are offered another chance to buy an item they might have viewed or bid on. The victims are contacted by a con artists, then lured to an illegitimate auction site to purchase a the item, which usually doesn’t exist.
The scams surfaced on eBay and investigators believe that the scammers are contacting losing bidders of an auction, redirecting them to a site unregulated by eBay, and then enticing them to pay through anonymous payment methods. Scammers might also obtain the e-mail address of victims by researching profiles and bids, matching victims with e-mails and contacting them off of eBay.
Another method involves phishing, which occurs when a scammer sends e-mails to spam lists. The victims are told to log onto eBay via a link that redirects them to a fake Web site. The scammer then has access to vital information enabling him or her to take over the eBay account. Phishing can be compounded by unscrupulous eBay sellers who offer to sell lists of prior buyers with their e-mail addresses.
To help consumers, eBay has a Security and Resource Center for registered users that consumers can use to educate themselves about potential scams. Consumers also can install an eBay toolbar on their Web browsers to alert them if the eBay Web site is the real McCoy or just a phishing attempt.
February 17th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Great article!!! Just to add, there’s a new wave of eBay online scams other than this “second chance” scams that involved blind auctions. It is more difficult to track down due to the nature of the auction.
February 18th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
It’s a jungle out there.
I ran across a couple key tips that might be worth keeping in mind when tempted to buy online. One is a Buy Now price that seems almost too good to be true. Another is little or no feedback on the seller. Or any indication that the seller is in a foreign land. Many of the scammers are working from places like China, Pakistan and Nigeria.
Thanks for the reminder about blind auctions.
February 22nd, 2007 at 1:17 pm
It is up to us to protect ourselves and avoid being victimized by these treacherous scammers. If you wewhat necessary precautions to take, then surely you will continue to enjoy your shopping experience at eBay.
Want to share some important reminders to follow to protect from being scammed, avoid credit card scam