Potential fraud online
Criminals use popular sites like eBay and PayPal to attempt to
take money from people. Below are some guides to keep safe on these
sites.
Safe use of eBay and PayPal
- Log into eBay directly from your web browser
by typing the address www.ebay.co.uk into your browser address bar,
do not use links, email links or shortcuts.
- Ensure your password is secure and is not
something that can be guessed easily like your date of birth, your
name or something that is common like you favourite football team.
Try to use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols that don’t
form a word.
- Read the adverts carefully, does it look too
good to be true? -it usually is. Where is the item? If it is abroad
be cautious. Check the advert carefully for methods of payment,
returns policy etc. You may be liable to pay tax on importation if
the item is outside the EU.
- Check the history of the seller. Don’t just
look at the feedback ratings, read the comments left by previous
sellers particularly for a similar item. Check the sellers return
policy.
- Ask questions of the seller by using ‘contact
seller’ through your eBay account avoid emailing them using
your normal mail account.
- Never respond to emails direct to your email
account about the item or the winning of any auction.
Never follow links from emails. Never respond to emails requesting
your log in or personal details. Always log into your eBay account
as in 1 above to confirm you have won. Ebay will never email
you offering a ‘second chance offer’. Always log into your account
and go to ‘my eBay’ to check for these.
- Use PayPal when paying for an item, it is
secure, you have cover if the item doesn’t turn up or is not as
described up to the full purchase price including delivery and it
costs the buyer nothing.
- Avoid using any money transfer
service such as Moneygram and Western Union to pay
for purchases. They are completely untraceable and are not
secure.
- Unless you have actually purchased the item from abroad
do not send money abroad to pay for an item you
have bought.
- Report all suspicious transactions, emails etc
to eBay/PayPal. Check their websites for their Security Centre
where there are loads of tips for staying safe online.