http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2007/12/03/ebay-hijack.html#skip300x250 If true, this is unbelievable. Someone hijacked a legitimate EBay account, made a bunch of sales, and got away scott-free, while the victim is out $20k. EBay should do the right thing and cover this guy's losses. If not, this seriously undermines my trust in Ebay to buy or sell any big ticket items.
Stories like this are depressingly common, apallingly handled by e-bay, and the reason why I won't touch it with a cyber barge-pole.
Not to sound like I don't care, but the story makes a point of Canadians being the victims. Are people in other nations being suckered too, or are Canadians particularly gullible?
I think it might have more to do with fraud legislation in different countries that allows e-bay to wash its hand of any responsibility, because I've heard loads of stories of it happening here, too.
Probably because was an article for a Canadian publication...they are focusing on their citizens to bring the threat closer to their audience, most likely.
Nothing to do with gullibility, IMO. Basically, if you were a good seller on Ebay, and had a ton of positive feedback, but have not used your account in awhile, some guy would try to hack into your account. Once in, they would change all your passwords, email account settings, and credit card information. In essence, they would BE you on Ebay. They would then start selling a lot of shit, take people's money, funnel it into their own accounts, and not send anything to the buyers. Someone with 100% positive feedback (you) would be ripping off people who thought you were a great seller. I am sure this happens to people all over the place. It's the fact that EBay is not doing anything about it or even acknowledging it that is very concerning.
It would be marginally amusing if I boosted the Storm avatar for this post. But that would confuse everyone in every other thread on the board.
I have a younger brother who ebay tried to screw out of $2,000. He sold a digital camera online for a $2k. Well a couple of weeks later, Ebay notifies him that he needs to return the money because there was a scam going on with PayPal and the money he received was not his to keep.
I stopped trusting ebay a few years ago when all the paypal scamming started... well maybe not started, but became much more frequent. Craigslist is the only way to go, meet the people in public and do your deal. I don't trust the anonymous sellers or buyers anymore.
Fortunately, I have never had any problems with eBay or PayPal. I just sold a $215 ham radio to a guy in Texas and he is very satisfied with the transaction and I still have a 100% rating in 455 transactions. i think I have given out one negative feedback so far. But YMMV. But I'd never buy a car on eBay.
I've never had any problems either (knocks on desk) and have maintained my 100% thusfar myself. I have bought a car, well van on ebay though. Good truck I recently resold for pretty much the same money I had in it. Under the right conditions, I'd do it again. I have no gripes, because the only ones I'll consider are from city/county/state sites or some other reputable source. Some vehicles I like I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole because it just reeks of trouble. At least with those guidelines I have a person that can be nailed down should they blow smoke when I call them for more info. Pay pal, same no issue so far, and I've sent thousands through there. Short of a hijack, I don't plan on any issues anyway, I'm very clear on my sales and aren't afraid to ask questions of other sellers. I play fair. I'm also not easily duped. I can probably thank WF for honing my skills there.
