What are some common online auction-related scams? What can I do to protect myself?
Nigerian Scam Scam description: The old Nigerian scam is probably the best known. Someone purporting to be from Nigeria (or in variations on the theme from the Ukraine, any other part of the former Soviet Union, any other country in Africa, London, etc) asks to pay for your item with Western Union or BidPay or PayPal or a money order or cashiers check. The buyer typically offers a price higher than the asking price, and may ask for a return of the overage by wire transfer, MO, etc. The buyer also usually says they want it shipped on their FedEx (or other carrier) account. The ‘buyer’ usually wants the item sent to someplace in Africa, or the Philippines. The ‘buyer’ says he will have the USPS send an electronic money order. As soon as the USPS notifies you by email that the MO is ready, you are supposed to ship. Until you do that, the USPS will not release the MO to you. The ‘buyer’ says he will have BidPay send a money order. As soon as BidPay notifies you that the MO is ready, you ar
