Perhaps its a well-known con, but in case people don't know about it, I'd like to warn you guys because many buy their e-smoking stuff via e-bay.
I've made a bet on a laptop from e-bay for about 650$. After 5 hours I've checked my e-mail and got 2 e-mails, one saying that I've won and need to pay (via paypal), and than another one supposedly from the seller telling me that his paypal account isn't active, and that he asks if I can pay via Western Union instead. For the trouble, he said, He'll knock off 100$ from the price. I knew right away that there's something wrong about it, but just to make sure I've asked for more details. He then sent me a new invoice with all the original product and seller details, with E-bay logo, and details about something called "e-bay trade center", that makes sure my Western Union transfer is safe. Looks totally official, with real links and real details. I than did 2 things, mailed the real seller, and forwarded all the details about the con to e-bay. E-bay replied with a "thank you" and that they will investigate the con, and the seller was shocked to hear about it, told me that I can safely pay using paypal, and all ended well.
How to be safe:
1. E-bay doesn't allow Western Union transfers. Anyone asking for that is a con.
2. Don't trust e-mail messages. When the real seller contacts you, it also arrives at your e-bay inbox. There you can make sure that indeed its the real seller.
3. Always use paypal. Your transaction is insured up to 2000$.
Hope that you'll never need this information, but just in case....
I've made a bet on a laptop from e-bay for about 650$. After 5 hours I've checked my e-mail and got 2 e-mails, one saying that I've won and need to pay (via paypal), and than another one supposedly from the seller telling me that his paypal account isn't active, and that he asks if I can pay via Western Union instead. For the trouble, he said, He'll knock off 100$ from the price. I knew right away that there's something wrong about it, but just to make sure I've asked for more details. He then sent me a new invoice with all the original product and seller details, with E-bay logo, and details about something called "e-bay trade center", that makes sure my Western Union transfer is safe. Looks totally official, with real links and real details. I than did 2 things, mailed the real seller, and forwarded all the details about the con to e-bay. E-bay replied with a "thank you" and that they will investigate the con, and the seller was shocked to hear about it, told me that I can safely pay using paypal, and all ended well.
How to be safe:
1. E-bay doesn't allow Western Union transfers. Anyone asking for that is a con.
2. Don't trust e-mail messages. When the real seller contacts you, it also arrives at your e-bay inbox. There you can make sure that indeed its the real seller.
3. Always use paypal. Your transaction is insured up to 2000$.
Hope that you'll never need this information, but just in case....
