Not only bargains lurk on eBay, but also nasty scams.
We list the tricks and explain how to protect yourself from them.
Both on
eBay
and on
eBay Classifieds
romp
fraudsters
.
The
nasty tricks
are often not recognizable as such.
A closer look at the
seller's
profile
often helps
.
Kassel - The online platform
eBay
is ideally suited for
looking for
bargains
or for offering them.
It doesn't matter whether you focus more on high-quality new goods or have a weakness for curious
junk
- you can find almost everything on eBay.
Nevertheless, caution is advised, as the virtual flea market also has
fraudsters
who use some
tricks
to get the
money from
unsuspecting
customers
and bidders.
The
ZDF
recently published a
documentary
entitled “Attention eBay - The Tricks of Fraudsters”, in which common scams are presented.
We list the nasty scams and explain how you can protect yourself.
Tricks on eBay: Buyer Protection Fraud
With what is known as
buyer protection
, eBay offers customers the
guarantee
that an item
can be returned or exchanged
in the event of an error or
defect
.
One would think that one would be adequately protected with it.
However, according to the documentation, there were already sellers who
postponed
a requested
exchange
until the 30-day period had passed.
Both
eBay
and the payment service PayPal did not intervene in this case.
Anyone
who is dissatisfied
with their
purchase
and threatens
to fall victim to
such
tricks
should therefore react as quickly as possible and report the whole thing immediately.
If you
paid
via
PayPal
, it can be helpful to indicate the bad purchase here first.
The online payment service has a buyer protection of
180 days
and thus six times as long as eBay.
+
EBay is not all about honest sellers.
Often, buyers fall for scammers' tricks.
(Symbol photo)
© Monika Skolimowska / ZB / dpa
Branded products on eBay: If the price is too low, it is probably a trick of fraudsters
Sure, every now and then you can actually get a real bargain on eBay, but you shouldn't be too naive and always question offers.
He is in the
documentation
of the
ZDF
warned that behind the pretense of
brand-name products
often stuck with seductive prices counterfeiting.
Here it is worthwhile
to compare
the prices on other
platforms
.
If the product is
significantly cheaper
on
eBay
, it is most likely a
trick
of scammers.
In addition, you should take a
closer look at
the
reviews of
the product and dealer.
Pick-up tricks are particularly popular on eBay classifieds
The
eBay Classifieds
App
is suitable for small
sales
of products, which are usually handed over personally and paid for in cash.
Here again, however, there is a certain risk lurking for the seller: One of the popular
tricks of
the fraudsters is to purchase a product and then claim that you are
paying
for the item via
PayPal
.
A
friend
should then pick up the purchased product.
The alleged buyer then later claims to never have received the item.
Even if it looks as if this scam was constructed in a simple way, the
problem is
that the seller cannot prove
to have handed over
the
product
.
For sales with
pickup
, it makes sense
to insist
on
cash
or a
transfer
.
It is also possible to have the handover confirmed in writing or to have a
witness
with the transaction.
Lousy tricks on eBay classifieds: The triangle scam
Sellers on
eBay classifieds can also
fall victim
to so-called “triangular fraud”
.
There
the seller is asked to give the buyer some time to pay.
If the seller agrees and removes the product from the network, the
fraudsters
can
start their trade: An
advertisement is created
for the same product.
If the fraudster then
receives
a
purchase request
for his
bogus
offer, he gives the data of the real seller so that he
receives
his
money
.
The buyer who falls for the wrong advertisement is completely clueless and transfers his money to the real seller without the latter knowing about the
fraud
.
The real seller then sends the item to the fraudster, who ultimately never paid for his product.
It is advisable to always
pay attention
to the
address given in
the
PayPal
account and only to send the products sold there.
It is also important to
keep
the
proof of shipment
so that it can be proven later that the item was actually shipped.
If the prospect's
quirks become apparent
during the conversation and you are afraid of falling for one of the fraudulent
tricks
.
it would be better to
Pickup
and
Cash
made.
# LKANI- #Warning: Fake invoice for seller fees on eBay and Amazon!
Beware of #phishing by email to sellers!
🔴 Please never click on links or attachments from questionable emails!
Further information and 💡Behavioral tips ➡️ https://t.co/DXxT58VEeR pic.twitter.com/uc0QGsDQyo
- LKA Lower Saxony (@PolizeiNI_lka) December 12, 2017
No tricks, but still a nuisance: Always pay attention to the seller status on eBay
If a product is
sold commercially
on
eBay
, the
buyer
usually has a right of withdrawal of 14 days and a warranty of 24 months for
new goods
and 12 months for
used goods
.
However, a private seller is not obliged to exchange in the event of defects.
Many users can often not clearly distinguish whether the seller is represented
commercially
or
privately
on the platform.
Such misunderstandings are neither
fraudulent
nor other
tricks
, but an incorrect assumption can quickly result in high
costs
: For example, if you buy a used electronic device from a private seller, but assume that it is a commercial dealer, no one is liable in the event of a defect.
Therefore, you should always take a close look at the
seller's
profile
.
Commercial sellers can be recognized by their status in the advertisement.
In the case of a private purchase, however, you should always be
aware of
a certain
risk
.
(Nail Akkoyun)
List of rubric lists: © Monika Skolimowska / ZB / dpa