Advertising Online - Top 5 Problems

By Doug Stewart

If you place an advertisement online, there are a number of potential problems which you should be aware of. This article discusses the most common ones and simple methods to avoid them.

1) Buyer does not pay

Perhaps the most common issue is buyers not paying. Before sending any product, ensure that you've received full payment, that the payment has cleared, and that it has been deposited in your account. This should be done for any payment type, including credit cards and cheques.

A similar issue is 'buyers' denying that they received goods and refusing to pay. Few of these claims are true, but unless one uses registered mail this is hard to prove. Although registered mail costs more, it does increase the probability of you being paid (or not having to give a refund).

2) E-Mail Theft

To place your onlilne advertisement, you will need to provide a contact EMAIL address. Unfortunately, there are various software programmes which collect EMAIL addresses from websites. They may get this direct from your advertisement, or breach the website security and steal it direct from the website databases. Alternatively, some programmes randomly complete the advertisement contact forms and send off messages, so that when you reply your EMAIL address can be collected from your reply.

Your EMAIL address will then be used for SPAM, fraud, or both. To prevent this, do not use your personal or business EMAIL address. Instead, get an address from one of the free EMAIL services and use this for the advertisement. When you no longer need the EMAIL, just delete it.

3) The Over-payment Refund Scam

In this scam, a buyer pays more than the price of the item and then asks you to refund the difference. For example, if an item costs $50, he may pay you $75 and ask you to refund the extra $25. There are many possible reasons that he may give for this, including that he overpaid by mistake.

The basis of this scam is that the original payment is fraudulent. For example, he may have sent a counterfeit cheque or used a stolen credit card or stolen PayPal details. When you send back the 'overpayment', the buyer will simply take the money and disappear, and you will find out later that the original payment is not good. To avoid this, never pay money to a buyer. Cancel the original payment (e.g. return the cheque or cancel the credit card payment) and ask them to make a new payment in the correct amount. Always wait until payments have cleared and are deposited in your bank account before providing goods or refunds. Even with a cashier's cheque (which are increasingly being forged).

4) Meeting in Distant City

This normally happens only on expensive items, such as real estate sales. The 'buyer' requires a meeting to finalise the deal, in a private setting (e.g. a hotel room) in a distant city. Depending on the exact scam, various things can happen if you go, such as your house being robbed while you are away or people trying to force money out of you when your are alone in private or an attempt to buy the item in cash (with counterfeit money).

To avoid this scam, ask yourself if the offer is reasonable. Someone who offers to buy your house simply from an online advertisement, without ever seeing it or even trying to negotiate the price, is unrealistic. Further requests, such as meeting in a far away city rather than locally, just add to the unreality of the entire situation. When meeting strangers, always do so in a public place (e.g. a restaurant) and never in an isolated area (e.g. a hotel room). If possible, have a friend with you rather than going alone. Find out who you are dealing with. Ask them their names, where they live and so on. If they are genuine people, they shouldn't mind telling you about themselves.

5) Theft of Identity Information

There are a number of scams which are designed to get your financial details. For example, a bank account number or credit card number, along with sufficient personal information to give them access to the bank account or credit card.

Banks and credit card companies often use personal information as account passwords. For example, when contacting them, they may ask for your birth date or your mother's maiden name. In combination with an account number, such basic information may allow someone to contact your bank or credit card company and pass themselves off as you.

People who practice such cons have developed a number of credible stories for why they need this information. They may suggest paying money direct into your bank account and request your details for this purpose. They may try to get personal information for 'administrative' purposes or through friendly chat.

It is best not to provide either financial information or personal information to strangers. Instead, use a payment method (e.g. cheque or credit card) which does not require that you provide this information. - 31381

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Security And Protection From Identity Theft

By Jean Nicholson

In having a protection from identity theft you feel safe and secured from scheming people who purposely bring havoc to your life by stealing your identity. Any interested person can always get protection from identity theft from reputable insurance companies specializing in this aspect. The insurance plans can also cover the entire members of the family. This is a very comprehensive coverage plan that can really offer you that peace of mind you need any time of the day anywhere you go.

It is reasonable to have a protection from identity theft which is very much needed nowadays. For as long as there are careless and negligent people, this thievery business is still on and will linger for as long as these perpetrators are still breathing. It is quite sad to note that these identity thieves are people who find great pleasure in defrauding other human beings.

The plan is very affordable compared to the tremendous loss that could occur when an identity is lost or stolen. An insurance plan concerning protection from identity theft comes in different schedules to suit to the individuals needs. It must always be borne in mind that a lost or stolen identity is hard to revive or regain. By the time such stolen identity is restored the damage that has been done is already disappointing.

What is most important is the fact that you can sleep soundly at night and wake up to another bright new day. In having a protection from identity theft you can take advantage of enjoying a good name and good credibility standing. In case you need to apply for a loan or credit card you can have the possibility of a good approval due to your high credit score.

You can always defend yourself with a security plan. There is nothing more rewarding than being sure that you have a plan that provides security. There is nothing more important than living in peace with the feeling of security especially with all people you love because you have protection from identity theft. - 31381

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