NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on March 24, 2016, 13:57:51

Title: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on March 24, 2016, 13:57:51
Just found that out yesterday, a new more clever way of faking an ebay auction
using hijacked accounts.

Signs to discover them:

1) suppressed possibility to contact seller, but showing an email address to contact, see:

(http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20163/455_ebay_spam2_1.jpg) (http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20163/big_455_ebay_spam2_1.jpg)

2) auction does not show in searches, nor does show if looked for other items same seller has listed (not sure how they hacked this...)

3) often pictures of of items are only partially loaded (incomplete)

4) usually very high ticket items at ridiciously low starting prices.

5) shipping calculator shows strange behaviour (see pic above)

I usually report those to ebay immediately and they disappear within minutes then...
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: Andrea B. on March 24, 2016, 14:13:43
Klaus, thank you so much for this important warning message!!
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: John Geerts on March 24, 2016, 15:30:33
Thanks for the warning Klaus.

Well If a seller doesn't reply to a question is a good check as well. ;)
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: Erik Lund on March 24, 2016, 20:16:26
Thanks for the heads up Klaus, very strange how they can hack an account like that,,,
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on March 24, 2016, 22:52:45
Most welcome, glad if I could be of help!
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: Akira on March 25, 2016, 00:11:41
Thanks, Klaus, for the heads-up!

I haven't participated in the auction but bought only new items.  But it is always good to know this kind of info on the fraud or the questionable seller.
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on March 25, 2016, 10:01:04
Thanks, Klaus, for the heads-up!

I haven't participated in the auction but bought only new items.  But it is always good to know this kind of info on the fraud or the questionable seller.

Just to be clear, it isn't the seller to blame, that account got hacked and often this happens unnoticed, if a seller is either unactive or has many items listed.
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: Mike G on March 25, 2016, 10:10:00
Yet one more reason never to buy from EBay!
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on March 25, 2016, 10:12:28
That is taking it way too far.

Use common sense, on eBay as elsewhere in life, and you'll be just fine. The scamming method Klaus documented, is explicitly forbidden on eBay by their own rules.

Learn to read the clues indicating a scam. Same as with dubious e-mails and similar offerings.
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on March 25, 2016, 23:20:09
That is taking it way too far.

Use common sense, on eBay as elsewhere in life, and you'll be just fine. The scamming method Klaus documented, is explicitly forbidden on eBay by their own rules.

Learn to read the clues indicating a scam. Same as with dubious e-mails and similar offerings.

Exactly, hence why I have it posted here! Ebay is a great source to buy and I have only once, in decades of buying there (>2500 transactions) been cheated!
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: charlie on March 26, 2016, 00:03:56

2) auction does not show in searches, nor does show if looked for other items same seller has listed (not sure how they hacked this...)


If this is the case then how did you come across the item in the first place?

Are you certain it was hosted on the actual ebay site?
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on March 26, 2016, 20:20:13
If this is the case then how did you come across the item in the first place?

Are you certain it was hosted on the actual ebay site?

I have standing searches for lenses which interest me and it showed up there....

The 2nd question I'd rather not answer, as it is "too intellectually challenging" ;-)
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: charlie on March 26, 2016, 20:29:44
I have standing searches for lenses which interest me and it showed up there....

The 2nd question I'd rather not answer, as it is "too intellectually challenging" ;-)

Ah ha,

That makes sense.
Thank you for the heads up.

Also congratulations on your recent exhibition at Gasometer Oberhausen,  the presentation of your work looked gorgeous!

Wish I could have seen it in person.
Title: Re: Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on March 27, 2016, 17:30:22
Ah ha,

That makes sense.
Thank you for the heads up.

Also congratulations on your recent exhibition at Gasometer Oberhausen,  the presentation of your work looked gorgeous!

Wish I could have seen it in person.

Thanks Charlie! Indeed it is very impressive and pictures do not pay it justice at all!