Be Cautious of Scams!
Posted by: info | September 28, 2007
Scams can happen to anyone at anytime with or without notice. A scam is a purchase of goods or services in which are not as shown, as stated or don’t even exist. With the Internet popularity and growth booming at all time highs, people are more likely to make purchases for goods and services via the Internet. in fact Internet purchases has and should continue to grow at alarming rates for the for-seen future. This all seems to be great and convenient to consumers. However, scammers are lurking and more than willing to rip off and take advantage of these consumers.
Scams are more sophisticated and advanced than ever before. Some experts can even have troubles differing from some of the best scammers. However, there are ways a consumer can protect their investments and make sure their online shopping is much more safer. Online shopping should be done in a similar way as to traditional store and retail shopping. A consumer will want to look for security while shopping online.
The trust and reliability factor is more important for online retailers. Websites like BBB Online, Cybertrust, Truste and valid Verisign can prove to be valuable asset for consumers to review and find information about a reliable website. Top websites who use safe, secure and protect privacy will display trusted and respected websites like these on their website. These seals and certificates stand for credibility.
Consumers can also read what other people have wrote and reviewed about a business from informative websites like Epinions. Testimonials and credible reviews from other consumers can be very valuable. The past experiences from prior customers can help a shopper make a great buying decision. A consumer can also learn what to expect from the online retailer they are buying from.
Popular buying and selling auction websites can also have scammers preying on victims. These scam artist are eager to get a customers private information. The scammers would like to have access to bank accounts and credit card numbers. They can also try to set up a bogus scam. They prey on people willing to pay for products or services that sometimes don’t even exist. Big ticket or large items are favorites for scammers.
A consumer can do almost any search for items such as boats, autos, tractors and etc. and find an item involved in some type of scam. These rip off artist try and get the consumer to pay for the item before receiving it. Then the consumer may set up a time to get the item or wait for it to be shipped and then realize the item doesn’t even exist. The problem is that these cam artist look like a real seller, they steal somone’s identity and use that person’s trust and feedback they have built up to complete the con. Most of the bigger auction sites offer some excellent tips to prevent scams. Here are a few common ways to avoid scams from online auction sites.
- Have a third party take the money and insure the goods.
- Put the money in an escrow account until the merchandise is received if possible. (Most scammers will not accept this.)
- Bring someone along to pick up an item from a buyer or seller’s home.
- Meet at a safe and secure public place.
- Make sure all required documents, such as titles, certificates and warranties are presented at the time the item is received.
This article isn’t trying to inform consumers to stay away from auction sites. These sites have some of the best deals on the Internet and are great for finding hard to get items. As a consumer it is just smart to learn the practices of all websites. It is just so easy for people to set up fake accounts, emails, addresses, names and websites. Con artist can have a website up and running in minutes. The online tools they have can make the website look and feel very legit. Just be very careful before posting private information online. Once any information is online it most likely can’t be deleted or removed.
If a consumer falls into a scam they should report the crime promptly. Inform the BBB Online, government at sites like http://www.ic3.gov/, http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting.htm. Reporting these crimes will also help future consumers avoid being ripped off.
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