E-bay scam - preying on buyers and sellers

[Andy H.]

Here's a post off the UtahRafters list about a scam on e-bay. Thanks for posting this, Rich.

-Andy

From: richp
To: utahrafters
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 3:24 PM
Subject: [utahrafters] Another eBay-related Scam


Donnie at REO had a cat on eBay a week or so ago, and I unsuccessfully
bid on it. Several days after the auction closed, I received an
official-looking message supposedly from the seller (Raymond K)
advising me that the original winnner had backed out and I could buy
it at my last bid. Didn't ask for personal info, passwords, or
anything -- just what looked like the usual eBay message with a box to
send a note to the seller and arrange payment.

Since I knew I was going to be in Flag this week, I called Donnie at
REO and asked him if I could see the boat before I decided to take it
or not. He told me that not only had the boat been sold, but that he
didn't have anyone named Raymond on his crew there.

I've reported this to eBay, with their usual automated response. But
for those on this list who use eBay to get some of their gear, it's
worth being aware of this kind of scam.

As it turns out, I visited a bit with Donnie this morning. He confirms
that he hears about a lot of these kinds of scams, and that he also
regularly receives attempts to scam him for items supposedly not
delivered, etc., so it can happen to sellers as well.

FWIW

Rich P.