Caution: New way of faking ebay auctions

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

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:



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...

[Andrea B.]

Klaus, thank you so much for this important warning message!!

[John Geerts]

Thanks for the warning Klaus.

Well If a seller doesn't reply to a question is a good check as well.

[Erik Lund]

Thanks for the heads up Klaus, very strange how they can hack an account like that,,,

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

Most welcome, glad if I could be of help!

[Akira]

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.

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

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.

[Mike G]

Yet one more reason never to buy from EBay!

[Bjørn Rørslett]

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.

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

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!

[charlie]

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?

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

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" ;-)

[charlie]

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.

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

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!