|
How do I protect myself from fraud?
Read and understand everything on this page and always check our message boards for fraud alerts which will be posted on the News board.
It is our mission to provide you with a safe marketplace. Feel free to contact us at any time with information, tips, or concerns.
What are the red flags I should watch for?
If something seems too good to be true be careful. There are good deals to be found, but do you know anyone in their right mind that would sell a top-of-the-line laptop computer for
a hundred dollars? Proceed with extreme caution when buying high end items at ridiculously low prices. A zero feedback rating is a red flag of sorts, but it could just be a new user to our site so don't necessarily hold that against the seller. If they are using a trusted third party payment processor like paypal
then they are probably legit despite the zero feedback rating. All sellers are urged to verify their identity with us for only $3.00. If you see the  icon that means we have matched a credit card with the seller's registration data meaning that the seller's identity has been verified. You should make sure you are sending payment to the name associated with the auction account, since that is the name we verified. The name of the seller will be provided to you automatically at the end of the auction. If a seller gives you a different name you should be concerned. When a seller demands cash or western union money gram this is a definite red flag. Coupled with a zero feedback and a high end item you can pretty much assume this is a fraudulent sale -- even more so if it is outside the United States. Proceed at your own risk!
What are the best methods of payment for reducing the risks of fraud?
Whenever you can pay by credit card you have the protection of your credit card company, which is enormous. Credit card companies have huge investigative departments whose purpose is to fight fraud. Most credit card companies guarantee your purchase, which further motivates them to stamp out fraud.
Using a trusted third party payment processor like paypal in conjunction with your credit card is the absolute safest way to complete a purchase. This gives you the protection of your own credit card company in addition to the protection of the payment processor who verifies the identity of the seller and has other consumer protection policies.
Only pay by cash if you are completing the purchase in-person. personal checks are very traceable and a good option. Money orders from your bank or the post office are ok, but keep in mind these are cashable at many check cashing outlets with almost no verification required. This option is fine if a seller has a trusted feedback card or if it is a low end item. You will have to be the best judge of the risk-reward ratio.
Many times a person is auctioning off items to raise money and is willing to sell for significantly less then book value, but try to pay by credit card, paypal, personal check, whenever possible.
What are the best shipping methods?
United States Post Office, FedEX, UPS are all fine. Depending on the cost of the item you are buying you may want to get certifiable tracking on your package and/or insurance.
I think I've been cheated, what do I do?
If you've exhausted your reasonable attempts at contacting and discussing the problem
with the other party, report the incident to us and please include auction number, category, payment details, and any other information that would be helpful for us to know.
We will do our best to contact the other party on your behalf. Depending on the severity of the situation you may report the incident to the Internet Fraud Complaint Center which is a department of the FBI.
We will recommend this if we are unable to resolve the issue on your behalf and the situation resembles fraud. Definitely post a negative feedback on this other party so that our other members can beware of this person.
If you notice that this person is still selling on our site, maybe under a different identity please contact us with this information as soon as possible.
How common is auction fraud?
Overall it is somewhat of a minor problem, depending on which marketplace or auction site you are conducting business on.
However, an experienced buyer can easily detect suspicious auctions and steer clear of them and/or protect themselves with secure payment methods.
Most fraud artists are desperate for cash and will promise expensive items for ridiculously low prices and demand cash payments (often overseas), western union money grams, or some other untraceable method of payment.
Some other sites are more prone to fraud because they don't police themselves sufficiently or warn their users.
Just like in the real world, use common sense and good judgement when doing business.
How does Auction Fire compare to other auction sites?
We have had only a few fraud complaints on our website in over 3 years of operation during which time several thousand auctions ended with winning bidders.
That is a pretty good ratio. All of those incidents involved top-of-the-line computers (laptops) for ridiculously low prices. The vast majority of our sellers are good, trustworthy people trying to run a home business, maybe a larger business, or maybe they are just selling some surplus they have in storage or in the garage.
Since our website makes it very clear we are on vigilent patrol against fraud, and that we are working with the IFCC, it is a logical assumption that scammers will seek easier targets and venues for their illegal activities, as reflected by our statistics.
|
Our intent is to promote fair and honest trading.
To uphold the integrity of the Auction Fire community, we clearly indicate our policy on fraud.
Fraudulent User Information
It is illegal to make a bid using a fraudulent name or credit card number. [Fraudulent use of an access device is a federal crime. An access device is an account number, password, ATM, pin number, computer, etc.]
Accounts containing obviously and intentionally false information will be banned.
Shilling and Shielding
Shilling occurs when an individual schemes with someone else or creates a false identity in order to
drive the bidding prices up for the seller. Bid shielding is when a buyer and partner artificially inflate the bids. This discourages other bidders from bidding. Then, at the last minute, the shielder cancels their high bid whereby his/her partner wins the auction with a lower offer.
Shilling and shielding will not be tolerated.
Mail Fraud
It is considered mail fraud to accept payment for an item which has not been delivered. In such event, file a complaint with the U.S. Post Office and/or Attorney General.
Policing Ourselves
The best prevention of fraud is self-regulation. We make every effort to enforce our policy and encourage the Auction Fire community to assist us.
Also, please consult the National Fraud Information Center.
|
|
Responsibility for posted items.
Auction Fire does not condone the sales of illegal items (as dictated by the law, local to the seller and buyer) or stolen property. All items are the sole responsibility of the seller and all issues of concern should be addressed directly to that person. Auction Fire will take into consideration all concerns voiced by proper legal authorities, property owners and authorized legal representatives.
Statements and Comments
All statements, whether in the forum, an auction description, a memberpage or elsewhere are owned by whoever wrote them. Auction Fire does not condone nor claim responsibility for any statements made by users.
|
