FBI warnings about Internet Auctions

The Internet Crime Complaint Center or IC3, a partnership of the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, in 2007 released its latest annual report on victims' complaints received and referred to law enforcement.

Among the results:

"Internet auction fraud was by far the most reported offense, comprising 44.9% of referred complaints. Non-delivered merchandise and/or payment accounted for 19.0% of complaints. Check fraud made up 4.9% of complaints. Credit/debit card fraud, computer fraud, confidence fraud, and financial institutions fraud round out the top seven categories of complaints referred to law enforcement during the year."

For the full report, go to the IC3 webpage on statistics.

Listed below are tips to protect yourself and your family from various forms of Internet fraud:

Avoiding Internet Auction Fraud

• Understand as much as possible about how the auction works, what your obligations are as a buyer, and what the seller's obligations are before you bid.
• Find out what actions the web site/company takes if a problem occurs and consider insuring the transaction and shipment.
• Learn as much as possible about the seller, especially if the only information you have is an e-mail address. If it is a business, check the Better Business Bureau where the seller/business is located.
• Examine the feedback on the seller.
• Determine what method of payment the seller is asking from the buyer and where he/she is asking to send payment.
• If a problem occurs with the auction transaction, it could be much more difficult if the seller is located outside the US because of the difference in laws.
• Ask the seller about when delivery can be expected and if there is a problem with the merchandise is it covered by a warranty or can you exchange it.
• Find out if shipping and delivery are included in the auction price or are additional costs so there are no unexpected costs.
• There should be no reason to give out your social security number or drivers license number to the seller.

We at Advanced Sales Network believe our service can help avoid some of the pitfalls of online auctions. We support the Federal Trade Commission will turn in anybody who we suspect wrong doing. We will turn anyone who fails to preform over to the FBI and any local authorities.

Patrick Mahan
1974 Circle Drive
Cayucos Ca. 93430
805-995-5001
patrick@advancedsalesnetwork.com