Scams and Fraudulent Transactions
05-03-2012 00:00:00
The great advantage to marketing your animals or products online is to reach more people. In most instances you can make great new contacts and even make a new friend. However, use common sense when selling or buying items online. Below are a few hints and tips on how to avoid being the victim of a scam.
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If a potential buyer offers to buy an item over the offering price, and their location is far away this is a warning sign. Often scams will want to pay over the price asked and want you to send the difference.
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Be cautious of International buyers and sellers. Shipping costs and related expenses are very pricey. Do some research and be sure you are dealing with a legitimate buyer.
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If a seller wants you to send money to eBay or to go to an Ebay auction page and purchase an item this is a scam.
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If you receive a generic e-mail with very vague information that could work for a variety of items for sale take this as a warning.
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809 area codes are a scam, be wary of anyone leaving a message and asking you to call them back at this area code without a little bit or research. You do a reverse phone look-up at switchboard.com to check the owner of the number in some cases.
- Never give out your financial information. Asking for bank account info or credit card info over the phone or via e-mail is a sure fire sign of a scam.
If you receive an scam you can report it to the following:
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Internet Fraud Complaint Center
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Fraud Tips from the IFCC
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Internet Crime Schemes
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Canadian Complaints Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
- Federal Trade Commission Consumer Complaint Form
