A Deal Too Good To Be True…

… Then it probably is. What am I talking about, well deals from unknown people on the Internet. The largest online auction counterfeit scam was uncovered recently and the perpetrators have now been found guilty.

Buying items over the Internet, especially on auction sites can enable you to find great bargains, but this story also sends a warning – on the Internet you really don’t know the provenance of goods, especially those from individual sellers. In this case the primary conman has persuaded family and friends in on the act to use their accounts as well as his own – so even the use of dodgy accounts had been somewhat obscured.

What to do? Well, if you are buying over the Internet, then look for recognisable shops or outlets. Look at reputation scores, do a quick search on Google for the company if you are not sure, if there is a problem, then someone (or many people) will have posted their displeasure somewhere. If buying from an individual, just be wary. Be extra vigilant with credit card numbers and personal information.

And remember if a deal looks too good to be true… then it probably is.

Guy Bunker

December 16, 2009 | Filed Under Phishing, cyber-crime, data-loss 

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