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<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 14pt">Buying and Selling E-Product: How To Protect Yourself</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Opening Statement:</span></span>
If you are a frequent buyer or seller on the internet then you have probably been subjected to scammers and fraud in the past. The truth is even professional buyers and sellers are subjected to scams and fraud all the time! The difference is that professionals use certain methods when dealing with customers to prevent fraud from happening. I am writing this article to provide you, the internet trader all the tools you need to know to reduce and hopefully eliminate scams and fraud in your online business transactions.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">
<span style="font-weight: bold">How To Buy E-Products Safely:</span></span>
When you are looking to buy any type of "virtual" product it is very important to choose the right seller. You may find the "perfect" product but if the seller isn't reputable then you are increasing your risk factor and making yourself prone to fraud.
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Here Are Some Tips To Buying E-Product Safely:</span></span>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Never buy accounts from non reputable users and always post in their listings first![/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Prefer sellers with the "TrustWhoVerified" status as their identities have already been confirmed[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Always speak with the seller on a "land line" phone number so you have his information one file if fraud were to occur in the future. You can use 411.Com or Intelius.Com to do a Reverse Phone Check and make sure the person you are dealing with is not impersonating another human being[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Require an Identification Scan from the Original Owner of the account to be included with the product information. This allows you to reclaim the product yourself if any type of recall occurs[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Save any chat logs between you and the seller. This not only provides you with a record of the sale but also provides you with evidence of the transaction if needed for future disputes[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]To get the most protection when sending payments use Paypal with a Credit Card. This provides you with a 45 day dispute process within Paypal and gives you the option to file a charge back with your Credit Card Company if the product gets recalled from your possession[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Once you send the payment and receive your product information, ensure that all the information/ details are correct and match up with the ID the seller sent to you[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Be careful of Impostors attempting to imitate reputable users. If you do not add the seller to your communication platform yourself make sure the sellers contact information matches his reputation status. Below is an example of a recent impostor that tried to contact me on AIM. He was attempting to imitate the repped MD user "codoneckero" who uses the AIM alias "MDTRADEMD"[/list]
<span style="font-weight: bold">MDTRADEND (1:49:13 AM): hi
jnix28 (1:49:21 AM): go away
MDTRADEND (1:49:29 AM): wt*
jnix28 (1:49:36 AM): I can read "N" and "M"
MDTRADEND (1:49:47 AM): go eat your di**
MDTRADEND signed off at 1:49:50 AM</span>
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Here Are Some Things To Ask The Seller About The E-Product:</span></span>
1) Are you the Original Owner of this Product? If the answer is "no" ask the seller how he obtained the product and make sure the Original Owner's Photo Identification will be included with the purchase.
2) Has this product ever been subjected to Warnings/Bans/Suspensions?
3) What payment methods will you accept for this purchase? If Paypal is not accepted ensure that you have verified the seller is reputable. Payments sent directly (via Western Union, Bank2Bank, etc) are non recoverable and could leave you with nothing if the person you are dealing with scams you.
4) Do you offer insurance against account recalls and bans caused by previous users?
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">How To Sell E-Products Safely:</span></span>
When you are selling any type of "virtual" product it can be very hard to find a reputable buyer. In my experience about 25% of the people that try and contact you will be scammers. The trick to finding the perfect buyer is learning how to differentiate between a fraudulent and honest person. Below you will find some methods that many professionals use when selling E-Product to eliminate fraud.
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Identifying Fraudulent and Honest Buyers:</span></span>
So you have just listed your product and it is now up for sale. If you listed it with some detail then odds are you will receive multiple inquiries about it. Remember than almost 1/4 of the people that try to contact you are fraudulent buyers so you must rush and get excited the minute you get an offer. Read over the steps below and follow them to ensure that you are keeping yourself safe against scammers and fraud!
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Here Are The Steps You Should Take When Selling Your E-Products:</span></span>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]If you are attempting to sell a product and you don't have any reputation then you are most likely going to be written off by most buyers looking for a safe transaction. To prevent this I suggest getting "TrustWhoVerified" and start working on your reputation. This shows a buyer than your identity has been confirmed and you are responsible enough to be selling E-Product[/list]
<span style="font-weight: bold"><ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Require that all buyers "reply" within your listing with their contact information before answering any questions. This is a very important step as it provides you with the following:[/list]</span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">a) The buyers IP Location (Be aware of proxies which can provide Fake IP Locations)
To identify a proxy you can look at all the buyers previous posts to see if their IP Location has changed between posts. If it hasn't still be somewhat cautious as this doesn't necessarily mean they can be trusted.
b) It informs you of any reputation the buyer may have (positive or negative) and allows you to see the date of registration in which the buyer signed up to the website.
c) It bumps your advertisement to the top of the list giving you more exposure to other potential buyers.
d) If the buyer turns out to be a scammer you have his account information and can forward that information to a moderator or admin for further punishment.</div></div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Never provide any product information until you have received payment from the buyer. Answer any questions the buyer may have about the product but do not give out any information which could compromise the security of the product until payment is received. I suggest using www.mywowarmory.com when providing armory links to non reputable buyers[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Once the buyer is satisfied and you are ready to start processing the order ask the buyer for his First and Last Name a Registered "Land Line" Phone Number. Use 411.Com to do a Reverse Check on the phone number provided and write down all information that confirms his identity[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Once you have spoken with the buyer and retrieved his personal information it is now time to start the payment processing. The 2 methods that most sellers use to accept payments are "Paypal" and "Western Union" Always ask the buyer which payment methods they are wanting to use and choose Western Union over Paypal if both are an option of the buyer. If accepting Western Union once the money is "in your pocket" you are safe to give the buyer the E-Product information[/list]
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">If the buyer wishes to use Paypal there are a few more steps you must follow to ensure your safety.</span></span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1) Make sure that the buyer's Paypal has a "verified status"
2) Check to ensure that all the identification information you have received from the buyer matches all information registered with that Paypal account.
3) Once you have verified that Paypal Account belongs to your buyer you are ready to accept payment.
4) If the buyer has substantially less reputation than you and you are not 100% sure of the legitimacy of the person require that the payment be sent as a "gift" and in the payment details ask the buyer to write "This payment is for intangible goods" Paypal does not offer Seller Protection or Buyer Protection for intangible goods so any payments sent as "intangible goods" are non recoverable (Paypal has been known to make certain exceptions to this rule so keep that in mind)
5) After you have received Payment do not let the money idle in your Paypal account for an extended period of time. I suggest transferring it to a Bank Account or purchasing something with the funds.</div></div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]After you receive payment make sure you cancel any recurring subscriptions before sending the account information to the buyer. This prevents unauthorized charges to a Credit Card[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Once you have obtained the payment email the buyer all the product information needed as well as an ID scan (if the buyer requested it) to the buyers email. Only send the information to the email registered to the Paypal account in which you received payment from and save that sent email as evidence in case of a future "non retrieval of goods" dispute[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Thank your buyer for his purchase and ensure you are there for them and if they have any problems with the purchase to let you know immediately[/list]
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">General Advice For Both Buyers And Sellers:</span></span>
1) If you have any doubt about the legitimacy of a customer and all they offer is Paypal as a payment method just walk away. Only deal with people you can 100% trust as proven by their feedback from previous sales and any other "status" that proves they are legit.
2) If any information doesn't seem to be lining from a buyer address your concerns to them. If they cannot provide additional verification information to prove they are legit then simply tell them you are going to have to find another buyer that you can verify. This may cost you a few quick sales but in the long run it will prevent you from scammers and fraud.
3) Report any scammers in the proper areas immediately and provide any evidence you have. You should always keep any records of your transactions and verify the identity of the person you are dealing with before any payments are sent or received. Scammer accusations without evidence will be dismissed so make sure to keep proper records!
4) If you have been the victim of a scam and you have already finished payment processing try to contact the buyer or seller first. If they appear to be MIA for an extended period of time file a dispute with Paypal or your Credit Card company for the payment. Please note Western Union and Direct Transfer payment methods often have "non recall" measures in place with companies to prevent themselves from any fraud.
5) I advise all my buyers not to change any information but the login/email and password. This prevents a companies internal systems from raising any red flags and also keeps your account under the same information as the Original Owner. This is fine since you should have an ID Scan matching the account information if anything goes wrong.
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">
Closing Statement:</span></span>
Hopefully this article provided you with some valuable information. Remember that most fraud occurs due to a buyer or sellers impatience in identifying a "safe and secure" sale. Remember this term when you were growing up? "Always Remember Safety First!" This 100% applies to the sale of E-Product and if anything doesn't feel right to you go with your gut and walk away.
This guide is based on a generic outlook and there are lots of other "technical" articles on Markee Dragon about different tools and internal methods for safety.
I will include below a number of tools and links you can use to keep yourself safe whilst Buying and Selling E-Product.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">
<span style="font-weight: bold">Tools/References:</span></span>
www.markeedragon.com (E-Product Website)
www.411.com / www.411.ca (Identification)
www.intelius.com (Identification)
http://www.shatteredcrystal.com/index.php/trustwho_verification (10$ TWV Service)
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/terms-outside (Paypal User Agreement)
http://www.markeedragon.com/forums/ubbth...SAF#Post1657510 (Compendium of Instructional and Safety Articles)
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">Thanks For Reading This Article, Sorry For Any Grammatical Errors!
Jnix55 </span></div></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Opening Statement:</span></span>
If you are a frequent buyer or seller on the internet then you have probably been subjected to scammers and fraud in the past. The truth is even professional buyers and sellers are subjected to scams and fraud all the time! The difference is that professionals use certain methods when dealing with customers to prevent fraud from happening. I am writing this article to provide you, the internet trader all the tools you need to know to reduce and hopefully eliminate scams and fraud in your online business transactions.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">
<span style="font-weight: bold">How To Buy E-Products Safely:</span></span>
When you are looking to buy any type of "virtual" product it is very important to choose the right seller. You may find the "perfect" product but if the seller isn't reputable then you are increasing your risk factor and making yourself prone to fraud.
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Here Are Some Tips To Buying E-Product Safely:</span></span>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Never buy accounts from non reputable users and always post in their listings first![/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Prefer sellers with the "TrustWhoVerified" status as their identities have already been confirmed[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Always speak with the seller on a "land line" phone number so you have his information one file if fraud were to occur in the future. You can use 411.Com or Intelius.Com to do a Reverse Phone Check and make sure the person you are dealing with is not impersonating another human being[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Require an Identification Scan from the Original Owner of the account to be included with the product information. This allows you to reclaim the product yourself if any type of recall occurs[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Save any chat logs between you and the seller. This not only provides you with a record of the sale but also provides you with evidence of the transaction if needed for future disputes[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]To get the most protection when sending payments use Paypal with a Credit Card. This provides you with a 45 day dispute process within Paypal and gives you the option to file a charge back with your Credit Card Company if the product gets recalled from your possession[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Once you send the payment and receive your product information, ensure that all the information/ details are correct and match up with the ID the seller sent to you[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Be careful of Impostors attempting to imitate reputable users. If you do not add the seller to your communication platform yourself make sure the sellers contact information matches his reputation status. Below is an example of a recent impostor that tried to contact me on AIM. He was attempting to imitate the repped MD user "codoneckero" who uses the AIM alias "MDTRADEMD"[/list]
<span style="font-weight: bold">MDTRADEND (1:49:13 AM): hi
jnix28 (1:49:21 AM): go away
MDTRADEND (1:49:29 AM): wt*
jnix28 (1:49:36 AM): I can read "N" and "M"
MDTRADEND (1:49:47 AM): go eat your di**
MDTRADEND signed off at 1:49:50 AM</span>
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Here Are Some Things To Ask The Seller About The E-Product:</span></span>
1) Are you the Original Owner of this Product? If the answer is "no" ask the seller how he obtained the product and make sure the Original Owner's Photo Identification will be included with the purchase.
2) Has this product ever been subjected to Warnings/Bans/Suspensions?
3) What payment methods will you accept for this purchase? If Paypal is not accepted ensure that you have verified the seller is reputable. Payments sent directly (via Western Union, Bank2Bank, etc) are non recoverable and could leave you with nothing if the person you are dealing with scams you.
4) Do you offer insurance against account recalls and bans caused by previous users?
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">How To Sell E-Products Safely:</span></span>
When you are selling any type of "virtual" product it can be very hard to find a reputable buyer. In my experience about 25% of the people that try and contact you will be scammers. The trick to finding the perfect buyer is learning how to differentiate between a fraudulent and honest person. Below you will find some methods that many professionals use when selling E-Product to eliminate fraud.
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Identifying Fraudulent and Honest Buyers:</span></span>
So you have just listed your product and it is now up for sale. If you listed it with some detail then odds are you will receive multiple inquiries about it. Remember than almost 1/4 of the people that try to contact you are fraudulent buyers so you must rush and get excited the minute you get an offer. Read over the steps below and follow them to ensure that you are keeping yourself safe against scammers and fraud!
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Here Are The Steps You Should Take When Selling Your E-Products:</span></span>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]If you are attempting to sell a product and you don't have any reputation then you are most likely going to be written off by most buyers looking for a safe transaction. To prevent this I suggest getting "TrustWhoVerified" and start working on your reputation. This shows a buyer than your identity has been confirmed and you are responsible enough to be selling E-Product[/list]
<span style="font-weight: bold"><ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Require that all buyers "reply" within your listing with their contact information before answering any questions. This is a very important step as it provides you with the following:[/list]</span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">a) The buyers IP Location (Be aware of proxies which can provide Fake IP Locations)
To identify a proxy you can look at all the buyers previous posts to see if their IP Location has changed between posts. If it hasn't still be somewhat cautious as this doesn't necessarily mean they can be trusted.
b) It informs you of any reputation the buyer may have (positive or negative) and allows you to see the date of registration in which the buyer signed up to the website.
c) It bumps your advertisement to the top of the list giving you more exposure to other potential buyers.
d) If the buyer turns out to be a scammer you have his account information and can forward that information to a moderator or admin for further punishment.</div></div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Never provide any product information until you have received payment from the buyer. Answer any questions the buyer may have about the product but do not give out any information which could compromise the security of the product until payment is received. I suggest using www.mywowarmory.com when providing armory links to non reputable buyers[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Once the buyer is satisfied and you are ready to start processing the order ask the buyer for his First and Last Name a Registered "Land Line" Phone Number. Use 411.Com to do a Reverse Check on the phone number provided and write down all information that confirms his identity[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Once you have spoken with the buyer and retrieved his personal information it is now time to start the payment processing. The 2 methods that most sellers use to accept payments are "Paypal" and "Western Union" Always ask the buyer which payment methods they are wanting to use and choose Western Union over Paypal if both are an option of the buyer. If accepting Western Union once the money is "in your pocket" you are safe to give the buyer the E-Product information[/list]
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">If the buyer wishes to use Paypal there are a few more steps you must follow to ensure your safety.</span></span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1) Make sure that the buyer's Paypal has a "verified status"
2) Check to ensure that all the identification information you have received from the buyer matches all information registered with that Paypal account.
3) Once you have verified that Paypal Account belongs to your buyer you are ready to accept payment.
4) If the buyer has substantially less reputation than you and you are not 100% sure of the legitimacy of the person require that the payment be sent as a "gift" and in the payment details ask the buyer to write "This payment is for intangible goods" Paypal does not offer Seller Protection or Buyer Protection for intangible goods so any payments sent as "intangible goods" are non recoverable (Paypal has been known to make certain exceptions to this rule so keep that in mind)
5) After you have received Payment do not let the money idle in your Paypal account for an extended period of time. I suggest transferring it to a Bank Account or purchasing something with the funds.</div></div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]After you receive payment make sure you cancel any recurring subscriptions before sending the account information to the buyer. This prevents unauthorized charges to a Credit Card[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Once you have obtained the payment email the buyer all the product information needed as well as an ID scan (if the buyer requested it) to the buyers email. Only send the information to the email registered to the Paypal account in which you received payment from and save that sent email as evidence in case of a future "non retrieval of goods" dispute[/list]
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Thank your buyer for his purchase and ensure you are there for them and if they have any problems with the purchase to let you know immediately[/list]
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">General Advice For Both Buyers And Sellers:</span></span>
1) If you have any doubt about the legitimacy of a customer and all they offer is Paypal as a payment method just walk away. Only deal with people you can 100% trust as proven by their feedback from previous sales and any other "status" that proves they are legit.
2) If any information doesn't seem to be lining from a buyer address your concerns to them. If they cannot provide additional verification information to prove they are legit then simply tell them you are going to have to find another buyer that you can verify. This may cost you a few quick sales but in the long run it will prevent you from scammers and fraud.
3) Report any scammers in the proper areas immediately and provide any evidence you have. You should always keep any records of your transactions and verify the identity of the person you are dealing with before any payments are sent or received. Scammer accusations without evidence will be dismissed so make sure to keep proper records!
4) If you have been the victim of a scam and you have already finished payment processing try to contact the buyer or seller first. If they appear to be MIA for an extended period of time file a dispute with Paypal or your Credit Card company for the payment. Please note Western Union and Direct Transfer payment methods often have "non recall" measures in place with companies to prevent themselves from any fraud.
5) I advise all my buyers not to change any information but the login/email and password. This prevents a companies internal systems from raising any red flags and also keeps your account under the same information as the Original Owner. This is fine since you should have an ID Scan matching the account information if anything goes wrong.
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">
Closing Statement:</span></span>
Hopefully this article provided you with some valuable information. Remember that most fraud occurs due to a buyer or sellers impatience in identifying a "safe and secure" sale. Remember this term when you were growing up? "Always Remember Safety First!" This 100% applies to the sale of E-Product and if anything doesn't feel right to you go with your gut and walk away.
This guide is based on a generic outlook and there are lots of other "technical" articles on Markee Dragon about different tools and internal methods for safety.
I will include below a number of tools and links you can use to keep yourself safe whilst Buying and Selling E-Product.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">
<span style="font-weight: bold">Tools/References:</span></span>
www.markeedragon.com (E-Product Website)
www.411.com / www.411.ca (Identification)
www.intelius.com (Identification)
http://www.shatteredcrystal.com/index.php/trustwho_verification (10$ TWV Service)
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/terms-outside (Paypal User Agreement)
http://www.markeedragon.com/forums/ubbth...SAF#Post1657510 (Compendium of Instructional and Safety Articles)
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">Thanks For Reading This Article, Sorry For Any Grammatical Errors!
Jnix55 </span></div></div>
