Cautioned urged when selling old PCs

Thursday, 31 Jan 2008. Categories: USA

People using internet auction sites to sell their old PCs or laptops have been urged to be extra careful and alive to the possibility that buyers can be fraudsters who have used phishing tactics to gather details from those lacking sufficient internet security software.

James A Martin, contributing editor of PC World website, notes that while eBay fraud is usually associated with unlawful sellers, "buyers are quite capable of pulling a fast one too".

The writer learned the lesson the hard way, when two of his own attempts to sell his laptop via eBay ended up unsuccessful thanks to fraudulent buyers.

Following his report on the subject, several people got in touch with Mr Martin to share their tales of how their laptop selling via the internet had gone wrong.

Commenting on one such instance, which saw a seller lose both his money and his laptop through a lack of internet security knowledge, Sara Gorman of PayPal told the PC World website that stolen credit card details obtained through phishing scams could be to blame.

She went on to highlight the importance for sellers to consider - and follow - the guidelines offered in PayPal's seller protection policy.

Among the tips for sellers listed on PayPal's website is the need for people to beware of "unusual requests" such as for shipments to be rushed, regardless of the cost.

PayPal also warns sellers who are sending off high-priced items to be extra vigilant, in particular if an item is shipped to one country but paid for from another.

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Cautioned urged when selling old PCs

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