eBay UK aid and abett Theft/fraud

[NDGAARONDI]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/32222.html

Oh look, they need to be careful. Lord Archer might want to join in ;)

Has any1 read this?

[Pebbles100]

I haven't seen that article until now, but I've frequently heard of Ebay scams before. The stories I've heard of are very similar to this except the customer[s] bought laptops, [$1600], and never recieved them. Another bought expensive artwork that turned out to be a fake. There are too many fradulent instances on Ebay for them to get my business. By hearing of these stories, never ever give anyone your credit card, [except paypal], and never buy high-ticket items.

[NDGAARONDI]

Thing is, I'm sure their rules on fraud and data protection are mostly illegal. They claim they don't have to investigate here. But I'm sure they are obliged to under English law - may be corporate fraud. I'd have to find this out.

I remember seeing their information on how they sotre your information like bank details. They're kept on a computer in USA and they claim that the data storage's jurisdiction is US law, they are wrong in saying that.

Thing is PayPal aren't that good either. I've made another thread on that, plus they are an eBay company too.

I'm investigating other online auctions anyway :)

[Ken17625]

There are too many fradulent instances on Ebay for them to get my business. By hearing of these stories, never ever give anyone your credit card, [except paypal], and never buy high-ticket items.

I've been using eBay for quite some time.

I've never had a fraudlent transaction yet and I have bought "high ticket" items...........hell i'm using one right now!

Key is to be careful what you bid on, and evaluate who is posting the auction. Don't buy pricey ($50 or more) items from "new" sellers. Read the auction carefully. Check feedback.

Oh, and I wouldn't try buying artwork on eBay............or many other places. Many fakes floating around.


As for the credit card, I kinda agree. If at all possible, use PayPal or an equivelent.

[NDGAARONDI]

THing is, if you don't buy from new sellers, the new legit sellers may lsoe out, and just because someone has great feedback, this doesn't always mean they'll always be good. High chances they will though, but still.

I always make records of what I do. If using cheques I photocopy it along with the letters that goes with it, sometimes send it recorded etc. and if they cash it and don't send it, I have enough proof to take legal action ;)

If I use online payment systems then I keep all records of that in emails too....so don't mess with me lol

[Pebbles100]

Originally posted by PiRaNeTuS
I got frauded on ebay. I use it all the time, and have always liked it. But this past May, I bought an mp3 car stereo for $350 and never received the stereo. So, I brought a suit against the company, based in Georgia, and have the pre-trial conference on Sept. 16. Hopefully, I'll get my money back.

(oh, and ebay didn't help out at all. They suspended their account, and that was it, woopie-do.)

So you filed a civil suit? I wonder if the State of Georgia is going to criminaly prosecute the company? If there are many individual accusations against the company, then whoever is responsible might face jail time.

[NDGAARONDI]

I know in England and Wales you can take this action in a criminal hearing and get your money back as part of the sentence as a compensation order. The only thing with this is in criminal hearings you have to prove beyond reasonable doubt, instead on a balance of probabilities. Although some minor criminal stuff i.e. not homicide, rape, GBH etc, they won't be too eager to be so strict on proving beyond reasonable doubt I guess.....

[Pebbles100]

I bought from a new seller once. The auction ended and I owed them..like $25. I sent a money-order instead of a check, and that way they do not see your bank account number. Photocopying checks, etc. is a great way to keep tabs on the transaction.

[NDGAARONDI]

Yep I only keep records and that b/c I got conned in the past, but that was in mail order, rather than on eBay. So everytime I use amilorder I keep all records and correspondance too. Although this fraud I was a victim of did do one good thing to me - I started buying better quality DVDs lol And I got into law b/c of this too, and it was a real good career choice for me :p

I've had some real good sellers on eBay, but that's b/c I was buying small things I guess. One guy sent the CD never arrived, and he was happy to send a replacement, even though it got lost in the post uninsured - that was good.

If I type up the letter I never modify it after printing and when I put it in the envelope; and I usually scan that in too.

[Pebbles100]

I've heard here [in the US] recently that handfulls of people have been ripped off by the same person [or company]. Tens of thousands of dollars are lost. In cases like that, [if they can actually find the person responsible for the loss], you have a greater chance of winning. It's harder to win against a seller when you are the only person involved [so I've heard from hearsay]. Some states here in the US have an individual fraud department dealing with internet and/or indentity theft.

[Pebbles100]

Sometimes, [in your case], the cd never arrived due to negligence, not fraud. I guess that's why it's harder to win individual cases. If many people are involved, then the proof is easier to see.

[NDGAARONDI]

Well we have Office of Fair Trading in the UK. And if there is fraud online then the Serious Fraud Office will take it up. Then there is the Department for Trade and Industry and the Internet Watch Foundation. Never seen the IWF in action over buying goods though.

Well how is it negligence? I was happy with my replacement though :)

Well in England and Wales you can have little evidence like me on a 1-2-1 thingy and still be able to claim. I've hardly seen any better proof than me on Judge Judy and that's meant to be real, and 1000s of pounds can be claimed there........

[Pebbles100]

The post office - "One guy sent the CD never arrived, and he was happy to send a replacement, even though it got lost in the post uninsured - that was good". I didn't mean the 'legal' term of negligence...just that things got a bit screwed up and it wasn't the seller's fault. :) Just a month ago, UPS lost a package for me. Never found it, but I was reimbursed. The point that I was trying to make out of that comment was that just because the customer dosen't receive the product, dosen't always mean that it is fraud. It could be easily caused by circumsances, [ie the mail]. But your reimbursement should be promptly shipped to you otherwise.

[NDGAARONDI]

Indeed.

[Pebbles100]

I've heard from someone who got scammed on Ebay that when he went back to criminally file a case against the seller, he was unreachable - he disappeared. Such a shame.

[Ken17625]

THing is, if you don't buy from new sellers, the new legit sellers may lsoe out, and just because someone has great feedback, this doesn't always mean they'll always be good. High chances they will though, but still.


Yes thats true, and I suppose I mistated my position.

I'm not saying I wouldn't buy from new sellers at all, but I probably wouldn't buy a high priced item from a new seller.

[NDGAARONDI]

Originally posted by Ken17625
Yes thats true, and I suppose I mistated my position.

I'm not saying I wouldn't buy from new sellers at all, but I probably wouldn't buy a high priced item from a new seller.

Same here!