Online action site eBay has issued another warning to customers about a new form of online fraud targeting its customers.

The new threat focuses on eBay’s Second Chance feature, which gives consumers the opportunity to buy items similar to those they have recently failed to win in open auction. It also protects sellers when auctions fall through, such as when a buyer fails to pay. The company has issued guidelines to protect users. (see How to stamp out spoofs)

Now criminals have worked out how to exploit the legitimate feature for their own advantage. They scan the site looking for auctions that are about to end, making a note of the usernames of those that have placed bids but have not won. They then send each user an email that has been designed to look like it has come from another legitimate eBay user. The email contains a link to what appears to be the auction site … but it is a spoof version, alike in almost every respect to the real thing.

Victims are then given the chance to buy the same or similar item, often for the sum of their final bid, making it appear an even better bargain than the deal they missed out on.

The company said it was doing all it could to protect customers. “As in the offline world, it is not possible to ensure 100% protection against internet crime, especially when criminals target individuals directly,” said an eBay representative.

“We devote a lot of resources to educating users on how to spot spoof emails and fraudsters, and the principles apply to everyone buying on the internet, particularly eBay’s spoof email tutorial”.


How to stamp out spoofs
eBay provides an online tutorial on spotting spoofed emails and websites, which you can view at:
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/education/s...rial/index.html

If you receive an email that you believe is a spoof, forward it to spoof@ebay.co.uk

Never hand over passwords when asked to in an email. Legitimate services NEVER ask you to confirm these details by email.

Download and install eBay’s free Account Guard toolbar, which displays a bright green indicator when you visit verified eBay sites, at:
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/confid...countguard.html

If offered a Second Chance item by email, do not click on the link. Open your web browser, go to www.ebay.co.uk and type the item number from the email into eBay’s search tool. The legitimate auction item should appear.

Source … www.ebay.co.uk

Safe Auctioning
Mucks

thanks muck
just got into ebay and ive aready lost out on a few items,
so thanks for the heads up

thanks for that when i am outbidded i normally look for a similar item but ill always think twice now!