How to Spot International Business Scams on eBay

International business scams abound on eBay. In them, scammers located in foreign countries pose as representatives for a company that manufactures goods that sellers have had success selling on eBay. Learning how to spot international business scams on eBay can spare you from losing money and allegations of fraud.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Establish yourself as a trustworthy power seller. Scammers target sellers with ratings in the high 90s. It's not uncommon for scammers to contact sellers with perfect records.

2. Notice if someone contacts you through the eBay messages services or email. The scammer will claim to be a representative affiliated with a popular foreign company. He will then explain that he is looking for an established seller to sell an overstock of the company's goods. The scammer will claim that you will be entitled to an ongoing fee depending on how many of the company's products you sell.

3. Refuse to sell products for the scammer and his supposed company without further details. If you do list the items on eBay, you'll keep the agreed-upon fee and send the rest of the money to a foreign bank account. In some cases, the scammer will ask you to wire the money.

4. Realize you're setting yourself up for a scam. Buyers will claim that they never received their products or that their items were defective. If you attempt to contact the original seller, you'll find that it's nearly impossible. Refunds for everyone scammed will not be given, your seller record on eBay will be hurt and you may be investigated for fraudulent activity.

Tips & Warnings

• Attempts at trying to identify the scammer will be difficult. The scammer is likely to have contacted you under a fake name and wire traces will not be possible.

Who Can Help:

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