Common eBay Scams To Watch Out For

Do you want to start buying on eBay? If you’ve never used eBay, you may not necessarily know that falling victim to an eBay scam is relatively easy. While eBay is considered a safe place to shop online, there are a number of eBay scams to be aware of. Knowing what these scams are before you shop on eBay will help reduce or eliminate your chances of becoming a victim.

Before we investigate some of the most common eBay scams you should be looking for, it’s important to mention why those scams exist. eBay is considered an online marketplace or an online auction website. Almost anyone with an internet connection and an eBay account can start eBay auctions. This is what makes it possible for scammers to catch innocent clients like you. While eBay is committed to fighting these scams and eliminating the people behind them, there are some people who are slipping through the gap. That is why you always want to be on the lookout for eBay scams.

Speaking of common scams to be aware of, one of the most common scams is selling a product that the seller doesn’t actually have. This type of scam is sometimes difficult to spot, but there are signs to look for. When posting for an eBay auction, an eBay seller must have photos of the item (s) they are selling, or at least accurate descriptions. For some items, such as books, CDs, or movies, eBay sellers are given the option to use a stock photo; one that is offered by eBay. All other items must have a real photo taken by the seller. If not, you may want to refrain from making the purchase as it could mean that the seller does not even own the item or items he is trying to sell you.

In addition to selling items they don’t even have available, another common eBay scam involves lying about the items they do have. For example, there are some eBay sellers, although a small number of them, who claim to have an item, such as a car stereo, that is in brand new condition, that’s not always the case. It’s not uncommon for some eBay sellers to lie altogether or reinforce the truth a bit. Unless you’re keeping an eye out, you might not find out until it’s too late. Hence, it is recommended not only to buy items from eBay that are accompanied by photos but also to view those photos. You will want to try to see if something really looks new or if it is in ‘like new’ condition.

Another common eBay scam you are looking for involves those who want your personal information. This type of scam is implemented in two different ways. First, there are a small number of merchants who will tell you they need your credit card information, but they shouldn’t. Whether you pay via PayPal, personal check, or money order, you must not give any personal information to eBay sellers, even if you purchase an item from them. If you’re not using PayPal, just send a check or money order to the address given to you, nothing else needs to be done.

The second eBay scam where you try to get your personal information is phishing. Phishing attacks are on the rise, making it easier to fall victim to them. In phishing scams, a scammer sends an email similar to eBay. The email is often accompanied by a message that there is something wrong with your account and that you must click the attached link, log in and fix the problem. This is a scam. What they are trying to do is request your eBay account information. Once that’s done, they may have access to stored personal account numbers, as well as the ability to use your eBay account to make fraudulent purchases.

The aforementioned scams on eBay are just some of the most common you can come across. While there are people on eBay trying to scam or take advantage of you, the chances of becoming a victim of eBay scams are actually quite low as long as you are careful.

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