How to Avoid Internet Auction Fraud

In the earlier days of Internet auctions you were much more likely to be conned than you are today. Figures from the National Fraud Information Center for the year 2000 stated that 78% of Internet fraud that year took place on online auction sites. Nowadays, the big sites have taken steps to make their auctions safer places for their users.

Despite it being a lot safer to buy online from auctions today, it still pays to be on your guard when transacting in Internet auctions.

Here are a few tips to ensure you do not get ripped off.

Only buy from sellers who have good feedback scores. This will definitely be one of your best protections. Indeed, this is a feature of Internet auctions which cannot be matched by other online retailers. This independent rating system will give you a very good indication about which sellers can be trusted. Just be sure that the seller has carried out enough selling auctions for it to be a reliable indicator.

Pay via the safest means possible. This will generally mean credit card. That way, if you do have any problems you can seek redress from your credit card provider. Again, this is a facility you would not normally have when buying from a private individual, so make use of this extra security feature of online auctions.

Only use the auction sites with big names. Stay away from the small, out of the way sites that nobody has heard of. The bigger sites have a reputation they will want to protect. This means that they will take any fraud complaints seriously and deal with the culprits quickly because it is in their interest to do so.

Make sure you work out exactly what the product or service you are intent on buying is worth to you. If you do this at the outset you will be in a better position to make sure you do not overbid and end up paying more than the item is really worth. It may sound stupid, but there are plenty of people who will testify to having been caught up in a bidding frenzy. Auctions can be exciting and sometimes addictive, but it does not make sense to pay more for items at auction than those items can readily be bought for elsewhere.

Remember that when you place a bid, you have in effect, entered into a contract with the seller. Do not place a bid if you do not really want the item. If you do not adhere to this rule that pink, floral toilet seat could be yours!

And finally, the golden rule for buying on Internet auction sites - if it sounds too good to be true, then it very probably is!

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