Things to take notes to prevent e-aution fraud

Things need to be concern while in e-auction:
1. You should understand the obligation as a buyer or seller before you bid on merchandise
2. Ensure you understand what means refund, return, and warranty policies.
3. Review the seller's feedback if available.
4. Investigate the seller as much as possible, such as whether the phone number is working or the email address is active.
5. Before bidding, contact the seller by asking any queries you have.
6. Protect yourself from identity theft by not giving out personal information such social security number, credit card numbers, bank account numbers.

Method to prevents are as follow:
1. User Identify verification. For instance, eBay uses the services of Equifax to verify user identities. eBay encourage users to supply it with information for online verification by offering their Social Security number, driver‘s license number, and date of birth. Through that user can qualify for the highest level of verification on eBay.

2. Authentication Service. Product authentication is a way of determining whether an item is genuine and described appropriately.
Feedback Forum. It provides users with the ability to comment on their experience with other individuals.

3. Physical Inspection. A physical inspection can eliminate problems especially through collector’s item.

4. Escrow Service. The buyers need to mail payment to the escrow service. After the payment had been verified, an alerts email will send to the seller. Then the seller will ship the goods to the buyer. After an agreed upon inspection period and the buyer notifies the service which then sends a check to the seller.

https://www.escrow.com/solutions/escrow/process.asp