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When your customer and/or merchant is nothing but a handle on an Internet website, the likelihood of falling victim to deceit greatly increases. In an age of credit card fraud and telephone scams it is imperative that sellers and buyers protect themselves.

A great deal of fraudulent sellers and buyers manipulate eBay auctions. Among these frauds are the receiving of payment and failing to send merchandise, the selling of stolen or counterfeit items, and buyers forging emails to sellers claiming that a payment has been made. Some perpetrators go as far as to set up fake eBay websites that request log in information; allowing them to hack into an account.

eBay’s feedback system is one method of defense. By leaving feedback on a buyer or seller, you alert others of the level of honesty in their business practices. However, this feedback system does have its faults. For instance, giving a ‘neutral’ rating might cause a seller to retaliate by leaving a ‘negative’ rating. Therefore, some feel it is in the eBay user’s best interest to give feedback only after the buyer/seller has already done so.

Be sure to look at the feedback comments for an eBay seller before bidding. If a seller has a 100% positive feedback history and has only purchased items that cost one cent this should raise a red flag.

In addition to eBays’s feedback system, utilize methods of fraud protection include using third party websites that educate buyers about possible stolen goods being sold on eBay, inform buyers of trustworthy eBay sellers, using software that alerts users of a fake eBay log in menu, and using PayPal in order to make certain that payments are sent and/or received.

Every precaution should be made to ensure a safe selling or buying experience on eBay. If you are unsure about a user’s credibility, check their feedback and utilize as many resources as you can to confirm the trustworthiness of the seller.

Article by: Bruce Moilan

Attention eBay® Sellers: Increase your credibility...and your bottom line! Sellsi™ helps build trust in online auctions. By representing only the best eBay® sellers, Sellsi has created a network of the most reputable merchants on the web. The Sellsi Seal™ instills confidence and adds credibility to the seller when displayed in eBay® auction listings. It's an indispensable tool used to boost sales and increase positive feedback. Learn more at http://www.sellsi.com.