Protect yourself while bidding online

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hears lots of complaints about online auctions every year. Most involve sellers who fail to ship items, ship them late, or falsely advertise their wares, while some deal with fake electronic payment services and con men posing as legitimate dealers.

You don’t have to be a victim. Follow this advice from the FTC.

* Read the auction site’s Terms of Service agreement to see if they offer money-back guarantees, free insurance, complaint handling, and other protections for buyers.

* Get more info. E-mail or call the seller and ask if the item comes with any warranties or service agreements, what types of payment they accept, who pays for shipping and how much it will it cost, and what their return policy is. Don’t bid until you get answers.

* Check out the seller. Many sites have feedback ratings where people who bought items from a seller rate their service. Use these as guidelines, but don’t depend on them exclusively. Get a seller’s phone number, and call it to make sure it works before you send them money.

* Pay with a credit card if possible. It protects you the most from fraudulent dealers and incorrect transactions. If the seller does not accept credit cards, consider paying through a reputable payment or escrow service, like PayPal.

* Protect your identity. Thoroughly research the seller and payment or escrow service, if you are using one, before you give out your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number. Call the Better Business Bureau and state attorney general both where you live and where the seller and payment service are located and ask if they have complaints filed against them.

Should you have problems with a purchase, try to work it out directly with the seller, payment service, or auction Web site. If you can’t get satisfaction, file a complaint with your state’s attorney general, consumer protection agency, and Better Business Bureau, and call the Federal Trade Commission toll free at 877-382-4357.



All the best,



Timben