Steering Clear Of Online Auction Fraud
Although online auctions can be very beneficial, namely because of the great deal of money they can save you, there are a few things that you need to be cautious of, in particular online auction fraud. Online auction fraud includes fraud that is due to the misrepresentation of a product that is advertised for sale through an Internet auction site, the non-delivery of an item purchased through an Internet auction site or a non-payment for goods sold through an Internet auction site.
Be Careful
There are some tips that you can keep in mind in order to avoid online auction fraud as best as possible. For one, you should only deal with those companies and individuals that you know by reputation or experience, and if you are not familiar with them then at least do your research before doing any business with them.
It is also critical that you read all the terms and conditions put up by any seller and be sure to read all the fine print. You need to understand the delivery options, return policy, and product or service warranties that are involved, and always look for a privacy policy as well. You want to make sure that you are comfortable with how the particular company or seller collects, protects, and uses your personal information before you submit any of your personal details.
Another tip to help you steer clear of online auction fraud is to check for endorsement by an association or quality assurance program, and also avoid spam by being careful of whom it is that you disclose your email address to. You may not realize it, but by buying from one online auction site, you actually may be giving out your personal details to various others at the same time, because the company's privacy policy may allow your email address to be shared with other companies.
Online payment services is one area of online auction buying that is critical to be cautious of, and credit cards are usually the safest option. Although online payment services are usually safe as well, with credit cards you simply have more reassurance and so if you can go this route than it is often best that you do.
As long as you take your time and use basic common sense, you should not have any problems and should be able to bid and purchase from auction sites without worry. Especially take caution when giving out your personal information online, even if the company seems legit.
