| Buyer Beware, Seller be on
your guard against Fraud!
On the internet there are many frauds
and scams. Unfortunately, the criminal element are trying to cash in. They
would like to get their hands on your goods and money. The good news is, to
the best of our knowledge, no individual has been caught by one of
these fraudsters when advertising with us.
So what you should look out for:-
Knowledge, it is often said, is power. So if you can develop a sense of how
these frauds work you will be less vulnerable. However, by their very nature
such frauds are ever developing and these details are by no means
definitive. If you do receive fraudulent emails please check where they
originally got your details from.
These scams and frauds are a world wide internet activity.
Firstly, if you are contacted by such people the introductory email can be
written badly and in Pidgin English. But, the more sophisticated they
become the more they use professionally written emails. The individual is
generally abroad "with someone owing him or her money". They also need to
use a 'shipping agent'. The email will often start "Good day" or "Greetings"
and urge you to communicate quickly and end "hope to hear from you soonest",
"God bless" etc. But please remember the majority of trade is legitimate.
Some golden rules are:-
1) Not to accept cheques. Especially "Cashiers Cheques or Checks". Cheques
are a favourite fraud and the typical current scam involves accepting
payment by cheque (often for more than the advertised price of the item) and
a shipping agent picking up the goods (and any difference over the asking
price). The cheque may subsequently prove to be no good at all.
2) Do not pay for goods unseen. Buying goods without seeing them or putting
holding deposits on them is the quickest way of losing money. Even with your
own countrymen I'm afraid. We find fraudsters advertising goods that do not
really exist. They can even send pictures or simply copy adverts from
another site. If you have a 'Wanted' advert be extra careful.
3) Try to establish title and if you can't, don't proceed.
4) Establish the individual's identity and address. Try and verify it. Take
note of vehicle registration numbers if possible.
5) Sadly it does not mean that "cash is King". One seller took his buyer to
the nearest cash machine and waited in his car. The buyer went to the
machine and came back and paid for the goods in counterfeit money. He must
have had the counterfeit on him all the time!
6) Always exchange receipts.
7) Take legal advice.
Don't be scared into inactivity though as the overwhelming majority of
transactions are in good faith and conducted between good, honest and
honourable individuals.
If you still remain in doubt then going to a trader or employing the
services of a brokerage can have many enhanced safeguards.
Here are two sites that may offer help http://www.consumer.gov.uk/consumer_web/scams.htm
http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/
The above information was gleaned from www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk a
reputable company with a good track record. I can recommend them
John Williams
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