by Starr Sheets

Created on: November 25, 2007   Last Updated: August 02, 2011

In less than .14 seconds, search results on Google.com produced 2.2 million pages with the term "eBay Fraud" with headline similar to msnbc.com's "Man arrested in huge eBay Fraud".

This is ever-so-quickly becoming the norm for any online auction site and many other forms of online retail. If there is an opportunity to "rip off" eBay users then there are going to be individuals or groups determined to be the one taking advantage of them.

Until a couple of years ago, I had never even heard the terminology spoof, phishing, or fake email. Now you can almost bank on having one of them in your inbox daily if not dozens. The accidental or unknowing use of these sites allows for scammers to discover login and other vital information from eBay users.

The concept isn't hard to understand: Open your email thinking it is from eBay click on any of the links and get directed to an eBay similuated site which actually is a site used to capture your login for eBay and any other information you will give them by "updating your profile or account".

Avoiding the possibility of being scammed either as a seller or a buyer can be tricky as scammers get better and better at what they do.

You should be cautious of emails to begin with that you think is from eBay: Scam emails come in all forms as "messages from members", "update your account", "safeharbor", or any other portion of eBay that you wouldn't feel could be the source of fraud.

Every eBay user has access to messages from within eBay. If you have any reason to doubt - or just as a good habit - do not click the links within your email box but instead go directly to eBay and login by typing it in the address bar or using your favorite's link. Then check your messages and proceed from there. If for any reason there are no messages from eBay, you should forward the email you received to spoof@ebay.com to verify if it is from eBay. Make sure you copy and paste the full headers in the email when you forward so they can trace the message ID.

On large dollar items, you can set your auction up to require payment at the time of purchase which is my suggestion if this is a high dollar item. It helps divert the fraudulent buyers.

Never ship an item until you receive your payment unless you have a long time working relationship with the buyer and even then you are taking a risk at times.

Another large scam is receiving emails that say they are from Paypal showing a receipt of a payment. Always (I stress this is very important to do this

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