ONLINE AUCTIONS | Tips and warnings

Auction fraud accounted for roughly half of Internet fraud complaints in 2002, with the Federal Trade Commission receiving 51,002 complaints representing about $37 million in losses. Here are some methods for reducing the risk of fraud:
Usually, online auction houses will not resolve disputes. Be sure to read all disclosures and terms displayed by the auction house and determine what, if any, responsibility they will accept should the transaction go awry.Keep copies of advertisements, descriptions or auction-site printouts for any product you buy.Keep copies of any correspondence you have with a buyer or seller (including e-mail).Whenever possible, pay for your transaction with a credit card. Credit cards offer additional protection in case of a dispute. If that is not an option, consumers should make payment by personal check or money order, which is easier to trace than cash.Check the feedback areas of online auction sites; these are good areas to see if anyone is unhappy with a seller.If the seller is a business, check with the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section and the Better Business Bureau in the area the business is located to see if there have been any complaints or inquiries filed against them. If the seller is an individual, make sure to get the name, address and local telephone number. Make sure the number is working and does get you to the person.Remember, your idea of "good" condition and another's idea of "good" condition can vary greatly.