Beware!

Beware!
As trade over the Internet increases, so does the incidence of Internet-related fraud. We are doing our level best to keep it at a minimum. Whenever a buyer reports a case of fraud to us, to be on the safe side, we cancel the suspect seller’s membership and delete their name from our website, to guard against possible repeat offences. We also maintain a blacklist of offenders, to ensure that they are blocked from using our website in future. Remember that international fraud is extremely difficult to prosecute, and few cases are resolved satisfactorily. Please understand that we cannot act as a mediator in disputes between buyers and sellers in cases of fraud.
However, here are a few pointers you may keep in mind before you deal with anybody over the ’net:

1.	Check their credentials with trade institutes, local or online credit agencies, or online services. Be especially wary of new businesses.
2.	Ask for all details concerning price, quality, payment method, contracts, etc. Genuine traders will respond positively and promptly. Most successful internet traders maintain close contact with business partners and reply promptly to inquiries.
3.	Opt for payment through Letter of Credit and Escrow
	(a) Letter of Credit (L/C) – This is the preferred payment method. However, there is some possibility of fraud due to incorrect or forged shipping documents. To find out the reliability of the party, contact the L/C issuing bank. Also check the following details: the L/C number, opening date, opening place, name and address of the issuing bank, shipping date, validity date, loading and unloading port, applicant, period of presentation, amount, details of transhipment / partial shipment, etc.
	(b) Escrow - Escrow.com is the transaction settlement service used by many of the leading e-Commerce sites, including eBay and eBay Motors. Escrow.com acts as a secure third party to protect the Buyer and Seller.
4.	Avoid advance payment – be it by T/T (Telegraphic Transfer) or Western Union.
5.	Make a trade contract and keep it for a specific period, to prevent argument. It should include sales conditions, payment method, an arbitration clause, quality inspection, etc.
6.	Always deal with a specific person. Phone the company to check if the person you are in touch with, actually works for the company. …Or, for that matter, if such a company exists.
7.	Be suspicious of any trader / user who uses only a fax number, an e-mail address or cell phone to transact business. If a company uses the same number for telephone and fax, it is likely to be a small business. Even if the company has its own domain name, you may not be able to trace its owner. An impressive website does not guarantee the honesty …or the existence of a company.
8.	Keep in regular touch with them.
9.	If you are a buyer, request samples to check the quality of the product/s. And offer to pay for the samples.
10	If you are a seller, request a nominal payment even for samples. Don’t get taken in by unknown buyers who promise large orders.
11.	As a buyer, be wary of suppliers who offer a very low price in the first instance. They are most often frauds. This method is commonly employed in the mobile phone and computer-related business.