Top 5 Auction Scams and How to Avoid Them
Online auction scams have become a widespread challenge, despite governments trying to raise awareness about this issue. Here's the Top 5.
eBay Scams
There are a plethora of eBay scams out there that you need to be aware of. Whether they are about insurance, buyer protection plan, or PayPal, most of them are extremely dangerous.
The eBay buyer scams represent the biggest category of these fraudulent moves. It is because of the convenience of purchasing stuff online, which makes victims let their guards down.
Full List of eBay Scams Below
If you are looking for a car, watch out for many eBay Motors scams also going around. Cars represent a big expenditure, so paying attention to the tips is critical. Better safe than sorry.
Last but not least, keep an eye open for questionable offers that lead to eBay gift card scams.
Without further due, educate yourself about eBay fraud and protect your wallet from massive hits, especially during these hard times. Here is a full list of eBay scams:
eBay Gift Card Scams
Beware of many eBay gift card scams happening, especially this time of the year. Here are 9 of them.
eBay Seller Scams
You could be a victim of many eBay seller scams happening on the website. eBay fraud it's been prevalent lately so here are 4 scams to avoid:
eBay Buyer Scams
Watch out for many eBay buyer scams you could be a victim of. This article will expose how eBay fraud works and how to avoid it.
eBay Motors Scam: 7 Variations
The eBay Motors Scam is very prevalent these days. Whatever car you want to deal with online, beware of these 7 types of eBay fraud.
eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection
Watch out for a fake eBay vehicle purchase protection. Read the article here to protect yourself.
eBay Order Confirmation Scam
Click here to read about the eBay Order Confirmation Email aka eBay Order Number scheme. Here is how it works:
eBay Scammer Trap
How the scam works: Here you go again, you're browsing eBay's website looking for a popular thing to purchase – clothing item, bike, laptop, etc. You finally find it and are happy with the product and specifically with the price! While you're clicking the item to read the description of the item, you're being taken […]
eBay Trading Assistant
How the scam works: If you do eBay transactions and one day receive an e-mail containing an offer similar to the one below, delete it right away (the following is a real message received from a scammer, including its grammar mistakes): “I found your profile using eBay Trading Assistant Program and I'm offering a long […]
Auctions: Selling Items
How the scam works: This is a very common scam on websites like eBay or Craigslist. Scammers will post a hot item for sale, but set a higher starting price than usual, so nobody will bid. You're interested in the item, but don’t want to overpay. Since nobody else is bidding, you contact the seller […]
Auctions: Buyer’s Protection
How the scam works: You love buying on eBay and Craigslist and pride yourself as being the deal-finder out of your circle of friends. One day, you receive an official-looking email, which seems to be from a website's Buyer's Protection Plan. They inform you the seller in your latest transaction was an online crook–and you will […]
Auctions: Buying Items
How the scam works: You are trying to purchase an item on eBay and are getting ready to pay through PayPal. The seller contacts you and tells you he's having a problem with his PayPal. He says he'll give you a bank account number and ask you to add it to your profile. Then you […]
Auctions: Cell Phones Buy
How the scam works: You bought a smartphone (iPhone, Blackberry, or Android) and are excited about it. You were offered a warranty (just in case it breaks and the phone needs to be replaced), but figured you were spending enough so you opted not to take it. That's not always a bad idea, but it was for […]
Secondary E-mail Address Scam
How the scam works: If you are selling items on Ebay or Craigslist on a regular basis, you might get approached by another seller with a request. He will ask you for help in order to boost his business. He will be willing to give you a few hundred dollars if you can add his e-mail […]
Auctions: Payments
How the scam works: You are a tech junkie – you just upgraded to a new MacBook Air and are looking to ditch your old laptop online. It's only a couple of years old, so you think you can easily get $450 for it. You pop onto eBay or Craigslist and hear from a buyer who […]
Auctions: Second Chance
How the scam works: (with video below) You've been watching an eBay item for weeks now and just placed your bid shortly before the auction is over. Let's say it's a camera you really wanted to get your spouse for Christmas and it's so close you can almost taste it. You're counting down the minutes […]
