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Make Money on eBay
Tips for Handling Fraud
(c) 2007-2008 by M.C. Nygard
Seven Tips to Handling Online Buyer Fraud

Inappropriate trading behavior is a top concern eBay sellers have in the
midst of eBay's radical new feedback policy. Sellers fear eBay has opened
new doors for buyer extortion and fraud.

Starting in May 2008, buyers will be able to leave negative feedback even
if they've not paid for an item ... just because they've had a bad day... or
if they've misread the description... don't like the color -- whatever. To
top things off, eBay can withhold PayPal funds for 21 days during an
investigation, leaving sellers to feel helpless on both ends.

But eBay sellers aren't helpless...
Here are seven tips for handling online fraud (most of these tips apply in
the United States):

1. Report your concerns to eBay's Trust and Safety Department
in the U.S. (also known as eBay's Rules and Safety departments in
Australia, and Canada; or Rules and Safety Investigations the U.K.).

2. Require buyers who return merchandise to ship with insurance.
That's one way to curb fraud of those buying merchandise with a return
policy, then returning an empty box. If there are any problems, sellers
can report suspicious activity to the claims investigations units of the
package delivery service -- e.g. U.S.P.S or U.P.S.

3. Contact law-enforcement officials on both ends, including:
  • your local and State police departments; and
  • the buyer's local and State police departments

4. Complain to the Federal Trade Commission if the buyer is a
company or organization. While the FTC does not resolve individual
consumer problems, filing a complaint helps them investigate fraud that
can lead to law enforcement action.

5. Check out the IC3's Internet Crime Complaint Center. In
partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the complaint
center's goal is to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints
regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cyber crime

6. Take action with the U.S. National Consumers League. The NCL
has developed a National Fraud Information Center with a handy
online form.

7. Join the Better Business Bureau to learn about accreditation
standards for your own business or to check out a business or charity.