(fwd) WARNING! New Ebay SCAM! (fwd)

From: Joe <rigdonj_at_intellistar.net>
Date: Tue May 18 17:02:47 1999

Mike,

  Isn't there a discussion group hosted on E-bay? If there is, then you
should try posting a question there asking users if they've been hit by
this kind of scam. You could also try posting the same question to some the
news groups such as the antique radio groups. It would be interesting to
see the results. I'm sure you'd never hear about these scams from E-bay.

   Joe

At 08:07 AM 5/18/99 -0700, you wrote:
>>You won't find eBay wanting to "get in the middle" in that way. They get a
>>fee based on the high bid. They don't really care whether the transaction
>>is completed. Of course, the seller gets a credit for his fee in the case
>>where the sale isn't completed, but eBay still gets the money.
>
>Here is the response I got from eBay this morning, and my question below
>it. I considered this a lame side stepping answer and emailed back saying
>so.
>
><some stuff edited>
>
>Thank you for writing.
>
>The best single way to size up eBay members is by judging there feedback
>for yourself.
>
>eBay has no control over private email and direct sales are not only not
>sanctioned but are a violation of eBay rules and will draw sanctions
>from eBay when proven. They are very dangerous. Especially if the seller
>is not an eBay member in good standing. In fact these are not even "eBay
>scams or frauds", they are not eBay at all!
>
>eBay is not a party to the actual transactions that take place between
>members. eBay acts as a link between the buyer and seller. We just
>provide the automated bidding system. We do not authenticate users, we
>do not verify items, we do not guarantee that you will receive payment
>or the item. However, we are extremely concerned about our community and
>your safety within our community. To that end, we work with third
>parties to offer you services to authenticate users, insure and escrow
>your transactions.
>
>We hope this helps! :^)
>
>
>Original message follows:
>-------------------------
>
>How do I check on eBay scams or frauds I hear about on newsgroups or
>mailing lists? Recently someone reported on a mailing list I follow that
>people are contacting second bidders and pretending to be the seller,
>requesting payment be sent to a PO Box, then skipping with the money.
>How do I find out if this is true or hoax?
>
>
>
Received on Tue May 18 1999 - 17:02:47 BST