New Internet Scams ... e-Bay etc

Hi Folks ... THIS article just in case you haven't read about it ... Karmen

2005-06-28
Internet scammers find new wrinkle

P. J. Harston

Well, it's certainly the season for something old and something new -- but this has nothing to do with early summer weddings.

The Better Business Bureau of Southwestern Ontario has issued an alert to a new scam that is invading the Internet.

This one, according to bureau president Jan Delaney, has to do with web consumers who purchase products from such sites as EBay, Craigslist, Carbuyer.com and Motorcycletrader.com.

Delaney says a number of complainants have reported that merchandise is briefly posted on an online shopping site and when they attempt to buy the item by communicating directly with the seller, they are advised that their financial payment would be handled securely through the Better Business Bureau Co.'s insurance service.

"Buyers were told to e-mail the seller, whom they were advised would send their e-mail to the BBB," she says.

"The BBB would let them know if they were preferred customers and start the transaction."

The buyers then received electronic invoices instructing them to wire thousands of dollars to one of the BBB's agents.

Problem is, explains Delaney, that the Better Business Bureau operates no such service. It's a straight-out scam to get you to send your money to someone who appears to be endorsed, or working with, the Better Business Bureau.

"We just don't do that."

While there haven't been any reports of this particular scam in London, Delaney says there are a number of reports coming in nationally, so buyers should beware.

An older scam that is on its way back, according to her, is the "phishing" scam.

This is the one where consumers receive an e-mail that appears to be from a legitimate financial institution. The e-mail will say the recipient's bank needs information for one reason or another and asks them to send it immediately to a specific e-mail address.

Again, the problem is that although the e-mail appears to be official, it isn't -- it's another straight-out scam.

"Don't ever click on the alternate site or address unless you are absolutely certain it is legitimate," Delaney says.

"And the only way to do that is to check with the institution by using the legitimate e-mail address that comes with your invoice or statement."

As in many of these cases, the trick to both of these scams is to get the unsuspecting consumer to go away from the official website or official e-mail address by trying to dupe him or here into believing it's legitimate.

Delaney urges consumers to be aware and exercise caution on the Internet. Wise words to live by.