Despite the online auction site's extensive rules and policies, there will always be some who use the service to take advantage of users.If you are a victim of fraud on eBay, you should report it as soon as possible so you can avoid further losses.
Step 1: Review eBay's policies.
Check eBay's rules to figure out how to best categorize the activity after you report a fraudulent listing.There are specific rules for buyers and sellers on the eBay website.eBay can suspend a user's account if they violate some rules and policies.You can find general information and tips for staying safe while using eBay by browsing the articles in eBay's Security Center.
Step 2: You can report directly from the listing.
If the listing is fraudulent and still active on the site, you can report it by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.In some cases, the listing may already be closed, or the activity may not be related to the item sold.One common fraud scheme involves contacting a losing bidder and offering them a second chance to buy the same item at a reduced price.The victim is told to send money to a wire service or money transfer company in order for the item to be delivered.If you are a seller on eBay, you could be the target of fraud by a buyer.A scam may contact you to purchase an item, offering to send you a check or money order for more than the price of the item.You can deposit the payment and send a check or money order for the difference.The check or money order you deposit is fake, and the scam artist has run off with the money and potentially the item you intended to sell.
Step 3: Information about the transaction should be gathered.
You can pull information from the user information page if you keep copies of any correspondence with the buyer or seller.If you want to report fraud on eBay, you need the user name, reference number, and any other information about the specific listing where the fraud occurred.If you have used the "contact member" system within eBay, you may have a name or email address for the person.
Step 4: You can open a case at eBay.
eBay provides a service to resolve disputes between you and the other user.If you bought an item and didn't receive it, you can use the Resolution Center to let eBay know.An eBay customer service representative will attempt to resolve the issue with the seller.If the issue you've encountered isn't described by any of the limited options available for you to open a case at the Resolution Center, you can contact eBay customer support directly and discuss your problem with a representative.
Step 5: It is a good idea to research your state's law.
Since police only investigate complaints that violate state law, studying the elements of criminal fraud in your state can help you figure out what information you need to file a complete report.Criminal fraud typically includes the same basic elements.The person must be aware that what they're saying is false and intent to deceive you into giving them money or property.You must have suffered a loss to be a victim of fraud.If you see a listing that is fraudulent, you can report it, but the person can't be found guilty unless they have actually fallen for the scam.They could be prosecuted for attempted fraud.
Step 6: Information about the incident will be gathered.
The police can conduct an investigation if you give them information about the other user and the transaction.Use your knowledge from your legal research to focus on any documents or statements from the user that might indicate a criminal intent to defraud you.You won't find anything that proves the person knew what they were saying was false.If you want to do any detective work, leave it to the police.Make sure you get the details about the transaction along with any correspondence you have with the user.
Step 7: You can file your report with the police department.
Call or stop by the nearest police precinct to submit your report once you have all your information together.The police in the town and state where the person is located are usually responsible for investigating the activity.If you submit your report to your local authorities, they will be able to transfer information.You can submit a report on the police department's website.The contact information for your local law enforcement agency can be found at http://www.usacops.com.A detailed chronological description of the events that took place is included in your report.If you can reconstruct a time line from the day you first saw the listing until you realized you were a victim of fraud, this can be helpful to the police as they investigate your report.Ask for a reference number and a copy of the official report when you file your report.They may be able to help with other reports or complaints.
Step 8: Don't allow any further investigation.
You may be contacted by the police as they investigate the activity.You can call the police department if you have the reference number for your case.Police have the ability to pursue claims or not.If the police have little information to go on, they may not extend the investigation.
Step 9: The Internet Crime Complaint Center can be reached.
The FBI has a website where you can learn about internet fraud and file a complaint.The IC3 makes it safer for people to buy and sell items on the internet.Information and assistance to the FBI's investigation of internet fraud is provided by a number of business partners, including eBay and PayPal.Fraud and internet crime are investigated by the IC3.Any other federal, state, or local agencies that might have an interest in the subject of the complaint are reviewed and passed along.
Step 10: Information about a fraudulent transaction should be gathered.
Pull together as much information as you can from the complaint information.The name and contact information of the individual you believe cheated you are required by the IC3 complaint.A detailed description of the transaction should be included in your complaint.You should keep any emails, phone bills, or bank statements that contain information related to the fraudulent transaction.
Step 11: You can file a complaint by clicking the button.
You're ready to start the complaint process once you have everything you need.After you click the button, you will have to read the FBI's privacy policy and accept its terms.You acknowledge that the information you've provided is correct when you submit your complaint.Under federal law, if you lie in your complaint, you could face fines or jail time.
Step 12: Information about the incident can be entered.
You can enter as much detail as you want about the fraudulent eBay listing on the complaint form.You'll be asked for contact information and the name of your local police or sheriff's office before you describe the transaction.You will be asked if the business is responsible for the fraud.If you don't have enough information to fill in all the blanks, you should give as much information as you can.You should specify the total amount of money you lost as a result of fraudulent transactions in the monetary loss section of the complaint form.You can include a description of the transaction in your own words if you choose to.You should include as much information as possible, including the dates of key events.You can attach electronic copies of documents to your complaint, but you should also keep copies in your own records.If a law enforcement agency opens a full-scale investigation in the future they may request this information directly from you.Law enforcement agencies may be able to trace the location of the sender or receiver of an email if it's included in an electronic copy.
Step 13: You can submit your complaint to the IC3.
You can submit a complaint if you are satisfied with the information you've entered.After you've submitted your complaint, you will receive a confirmation email from the IC3 that will give you a unique complaint ID and password.You can download or print a PDF copy of your complaint from the link in the confirmation email.
Step 14: The status of your complaint should be followed up.
You can use your complaint ID and password to report additional information related to the same complaint.The IC3 does not conduct investigations, but reviews each complaint and forwards it to the appropriate agencies.
Step 15: There are different types of mail fraud.
If the U.S. postal service was involved in the auction or sale, the perpetrators could be guilty of mail fraud.A dishonest seller may have used fake user accounts to bid on their own merchandise and drive up the price, for example.If you received something in the mail that didn't match the description on the listing, you may have committed mail fraud.
Step 16: Information about the transaction will be gathered.
It is possible to include important and relevant information in your report if you understand the elements of mail fraud.The involvement of the U.S. should be the focus of your attention.The Postal Service.Mail fraud probably wouldn't occur if the postal service was not involved.The postal service is involved if you paid for shipping but didn't receive the product.
Step 17: The Postal Inspection Service can be contacted.
Reports of mail fraud are investigated by the Postal Inspection Service.If you want to report mail fraud, you can call the Postal Inspection Service.You can report suspected mail fraud.You can send a letter or report to the Criminal Investigations Service Center.
Step 18: You have a mail fraud complaint.
You can submit a written complaint online, or draft a letter with a description of the incident.You can fill out and submit the complaint form at the Postal Inspection Service website.You can't submit a mail fraud complaint anonymous.
Step 19: Don't allow any further investigation.
The postal inspector will contact you after your report is received.Since you can't attach documents to your online complaint, you should keep any documentation that may be used by postal inspectors to investigate your complaint.
Step 20: The FTC Complaint Assistant can be found on the website.
You can easily file a complaint with the FTC about online auction fraud.You can file a complaint at the FTC.Although the FTC doesn't resolve individual complaints, it has tips on recovering money.The FTC's online database is used by federal, state, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies nationwide to uncover patterns of fraud and connect past incidents to open investigations of fraudulent activity.
Step 21: Pick the appropriate category.
To begin the complaint process, you should choose the internet services category.The internet services category includes online auctions, but if there were other aspects to the fraudulent transaction such as the theft of your credit card number, you may wish to choose a different category.
Step 22: You can choose a sub-category.
Each category has a number of subcategories you can use to further define your complaint.If you choose the category for internet services, online shopping, or computers, you'll find a sub-category for online auctions.
Step 23: Information about the fraudulent activity can be entered.
You can begin your complaint with a summary of the listing or transaction.How much money you were asked to pay, how you paid, when, and other information will be asked by the Complaint Assistant.You don't have to fill in any information for your case.You will be given the opportunity to explain the incident in your own words after you complete the specifics.It's important that your description doesn't include sensitive information such as your Social Security number.
Step 24: Information about the company or individual that committed the fraud can be entered.
If you provided any identifying information for the buyer or seller, include it.You can leave the line blank if you don't have a company phone number.You should only include the information you were given.If the user was an individual, use the information you have for them, including any email address or eBay user name, if applicable.
Step 25: You can enter your identification and contact information.
If you don't enter your name and contact information, you will not be able to follow up with your complaint.If more information is needed to investigate the fraud, the FTC or other agencies will not be able to contact you.You can review the FTC's privacy policy before you decide how much personal information to give.
Step 26: You should review your complaint.
Before you submit your information, the FTC allows you to review it for completeness and accuracy.If you want to change an answer to a question, you can do so again.You have the option of printing a copy of the complaint for your records after you're satisfied with your answers.
Step 27: You can submit your complaint.
The FTC will review your complaint and include the information you provided in electronic databases that are available to federal, state, and local law enforcement.The FTC has a database of millions of consumer complaints that are free of charge to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as some international agencies.