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| SPOOF E-MAILS-121 |
Spoof or "phishing" emails and websites are becoming an increasing problem for unsuspecting internet users. Spoof e-mails claiming to come from 121Offer or other popular websites. These e-mails are generally known as 'spoof' or 'phishing' e-mails. The people who send these e-mails hope that unsuspecting recipients will reply or click on a link contained inthe e-mail and then provide sensitive personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers or bank account details. "To protect yourself, remember that 121Offer will never ask you for your private information, such as credit card information or your account password, in an email. |
| Account Take-overs / Identity Theft: |
A customer's login and password are compromised. This occurswhen a customer logs into a site designed to look like a genuine website. Personal details such as full address, date of birth, mothers maiden name, credit card numbers, bank account details are requested and supplied by the unsuspecting customer. The fraudster is then able to either 'hack' into the account or/and open an account using the 'stolen' identity. |
| Shill Bidding: |
Method by which an auctioneer bids on his or her own auction to inflate the price. |
| False Adverts: |
Using trading accounts set up with false identities. Any member of an auction site is able to place an advert offering an item for sale.These frauds are simply committed by fraudsters placing adverts to sell items that they do not have or they have no intention of selling. The 'buying member, having won the auction, will then transfer money into an account specified by the fraudster with no item of property being exchanged. |
| Second Chance' Fraud: |
Scammers are impersonating sellers in an attempt to hoodwink users of the online auction site into handing over payment for non-existentgoods. If the person who wins an auction on the site fails to buy the goods,the second highest bidder of an auction may be offered the option to purchasegoods at his / her offer price. In some cases fraudsters are e-mailing the second highest bidder claiming the winner has 'pulled out'. The fraudster requests themoney is paid direct into an account and victim does not receive the goods. |
BUYING SAFETY |
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| Check The Seller's Feedback: |
| Feedback is a way for previous customers to rate the sellerand this is worth checking prior to purchasing an item. Most online auctionsites have a feedback system and it's a great way to see if your seller has agood trading history. |
| Check The Item(s): |
| Review the description, pictures, model and the normalretail price of the goods. Ensure you know what you are buying prior to placinga bid. The old adage "if the price is too good to be true, it usually is"applies especially on high value/desirable items. If you are unsure about anyaspect of the item you are purchasing then contact the seller. Good sellerswill always be happy to answer reasonable questions. |
| Check The Small Print: |
| How will the item be delivered and what is the cost? Acommon ploy by some unscrupulous sellers is to offer items at a cheap price butinflate the shipping costs. This practice seems more prevalent with overseassellers but it certainly isn't restricted to them. Will the item be insured intransit? Where is it being shipped from and how long will delivery take? Byanswering the above questions prior to bidding then you can ensure you won't beworried later on. |
| Check How To Pay: |
| Online payments are necessary and usually safe but only if you choose the right method and take care to protect yourself. You need to check what form of payment the seller will accept and whether there will be any associated costs. Never Pay With Cash! The best methods of payment from the view point of the customer are through companies such as Moneybookeror PayPal. is another secure way of making payment. Using the companies above will also ensure that the seller will not see your credit card number and details. By paying via Credit Card you will be entitled to additional protection subject to your card issuers Terms & Conditions. |
| Check Your Bid: |
| How much are you willing to pay? Consider any add costs such as delivery etc. and then if you are still happy with it place your bid. Remembering that if the bid is accepted then you will be expected to complete your side of the deal and pay. |
