June 22nd, 2009
eBay scammers try to scam security expert
If Bruce Schneier can’t sell a PC on eBay without scammers trying to get one over him, what chance do the rest of us have?
I expected selling my computer on eBay to be easy.
Attempt 1: I listed it. Within hours, someone bought it — from a hacked account, as eBay notified me, cancelling the sale.
Attempt 2: I listed it again. Within hours, someone bought it, and asked me to send it to her via FedEx overnight. The buyer sent payment via PayPal immediately, and then — near as I could tell — immediately opened a dispute with PayPal so that the funds were put on hold. And then she sent me an e-mail saying “I paid you, now send me the computer.” But PayPal was faster than she expected, I think. At the same time, I received an e-mail from PayPal saying that I might have received a payment that the account holder did not authorize, and that I shouldn’t ship the item until the investigation is complete.
Given this sort of mess, I really can’t see how anyone has any confidence selling (or, I guess, buying) any high-value item on eBay.
Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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| 06/22/09
