How To Avoid E-Shopping Scams

Crime preys on e-shoppers
By NICOLE MARSHALL Tulsa World Staff Writer

More and more people are doing their holiday shopping online, citing the ease of comparison shopping as a way to save time and money.  As "Cyber Monday" approaches, police and Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson are warning e-shoppers to be careful not to fall prey to scams.

Cyber Monday refers to the Monday after Thanksgiving and unofficially marks the beginning of the Christmas online-shopping season.  "Internet fraud is consistently the number one consumer complaint in Oklahoma," Edmondson said in a written statement. "It seems everyone is online, and that includes con artists."

Tulsa police Cyber Crimes Unit Sgt. Tim Stadler said it is important to ensure that a site is secure and reputable before providing a credit card number. Avoid using debit cards.

Try to use the sites of major retailers, if possible. But even major companies can fall victim to hackers, he said. Promptly check credit card statements to look for any unauthorized charges, Stadler said.

If you have a concern, check your statement online rather than wait for the paper statement in the mail.  Stadler said shoppers also should beware of providing information when requested through unsolicited e-mails.

The Tulsa Police Department's Cyber Crimes Unit investigates hundreds of eBay fraud cases every year, Stadler said. In many of those cases, the seller requests that funds be wired directly to him or her by Western Union, MoneyGram, or bank-to-bank wire transfer.

If the seller intends to commit fraud, the money is virtually unrecoverable with no recourse for the victim when those services are used.

Stadler said it is important to review the seller's feedback from other buyers and ensure that you understand refund, return and warranty policies.

Before you bid in an auction, contact the seller with any questions you have and consider insuring your purchase, he said.

Fraud remedies
If you think you have been scammed in an online purchase: Immediately put a stop payment on your credit card. File an online fraud report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, tulsaworld.com/internetccc.

File a report at tulsaworld.com/tulsapolice if you live in Tulsa. Otherwise, contact your local police department. To research scams associated with certain companies or sites, use other online resources such as tulsaworld.com/snopes or tulsaworld.com/bbb.

Source:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/site/printerfriendlystory.aspx?articleid=20081201_11_A2_Shoppe948120

Comments

[Philippine Buy]

Well, there are a lot of scams that is really spreading and we need to avoid it. Anyway, thanks for the tips that you've given. I will surely follow it.

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