eBay Golden Rules – britishcarlinks.com

eBay is a great tool to find cars and parts but please be aware that there are scammers using eBay to find unsuspecting victims. Please take the time to read through these "Golden Rules" that I have put together after dealing on eBay for seven years. Feel free to link to this page or use the following text on your own web page - the more aware people are the harder it will be for the scammers!

This list is in no particular order - all the points are equally important!

1) eBay or PayPal will NEVER ask for your ID, password or any other personal or financial information in an E-mail. If you receive an E-mail that looks like it came from eBay or PayPal that does so – it is a fake! Do not click any links in the E-mail. Either delete it or forward it with full headers to spoof@ebay.com. They will shut down the scammers. Most of these E-mails will ask to verify your account or it will be suspended. Once again this is untrue – these are criminals trying to hijack your account!

2) Never deal with any offers outside of eBay. Scammers can pose as buyers or sellers trying to cut a deal with you outside of the eBay system. BEWARE! Most times these are scammers trying to rip you off with fake money orders, cashier's checks or bank drafts.

3) Beware of legitimate sellers hi-jacked accounts. If you are buying a big ticket item and a seller with good feedback who normal sells inexpensive trinkets is now selling classic cars at giveaway prices - BEWARE! This good sellers account has been hi-jacked by a scammer to rip you off. Even more obvious if the seller had only been a bidder prior to this auction – Beware!

4) If you are going to use an escrow site for a transaction only use www.escrow.com. 90% of online escrow services are fake! Escrow.com is not (Check the URL – make sure it is exactly www.escrow.com - fakes may be similar). The scammers will suggest a fake escrow site that they created themselves. Fake sites can also be checked at www.sos4auctions.com.

5) Try to limit your transactions to Canada, the UK and the USA. Many, but not all, of the scams originate from elsewhere in the world. Hotspots of trouble include, but are not limited to, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, Spain, France, Italy and Africa. Many times the scammer will claim to be in the USA only for a short period of time and that is why he is selling his $35,000 Austin Healey for only $10,000. (The BJ-7's and 8's are favourites of the scammers.)

6) Do not use Western Union to send payment for any auctions. A seller who insists on this for payment is most likely a scammer who will disappear with your cash. You will have no recourse.

7) Ebay does not run any “Win a Car” type contests. If you receive an E-mail that offers this it is a fake. Forward it to spoof@ebay.com.

8) Always know who you are dealing with. Take the time to read the feedbacks of both buyers and sellers you may deal with. Look for anything out of the norm. Multiple feedbacks from the same person. A sudden change in the type of feedbacks. Keep note 3 in mind (hi-jacked account).

9) Always get a shipping quote before the end of the auction. A seller that offers free shipping on an expensive item is a scammer! Especially something as large as a car. Some legitimate sellers pad their shipping costs as well to make more money. You want to know this before you bid.

10) Make sure the item you are bidding on has real pictures. – Scammers may steal photos from web sites, brochures or even other auctions so don't conclude an auction is legit based solely on the pictures. If you are suspicious – ask for a photo of a different angle of the item. Scammers will deny or ignore this request.

11) Beware of auctions that are restricted to pre-approved bidders. - The scammer just wants you to make contact with him so that he can offer you an incredible deal and start the scam process.

12) Always keep your guard up! Assume the worst with every bidder or seller until you see enough evidence to convince you otherwise. You are your best defense!

IF IT SEEMS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE – IT IS!!!

Click here to read an important warning about cashiers cheque scams.

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