Numerous complaints and we realise that Ebay has no intention of doing anything about buyer theft since they are now inviting it. We've had them pretend a few times to be checking into a buyer's account, but those same buyers are still on Ebay months later.
If a scammer uses the Ebay system to steal from us, then we are going to advise them, that we will be sending a written report with a stat dec to their local police station on what has ocurred. While we don't wish to take up the time of the police, by having them take a formal statement, a wriiten report at the writer's request, will be placed on permanent record at that station for future reference. If enough sellers lodge complaints, then the police will be obliged to investigate and may issue a search warrant. If the thief has stolen electronic, furniture, jewellery etc worth big money, then it would be worth making a formal statement plus search.
Thieves generally like to keep themselves off record, relying on sellers to give in, for fear of Neg. feedback. But with Ebay new invitation, you are going to find alot more long term professional scammers, becoming overly confident that the system supports them, so why email the seller, when they can get money quick, by going straight to the new scammers Ebay drive through ...
Stealing is an addiction and if allowed to get away with it, thieves nearly always move on to bigger/ other crimes. It assists police and the victims of crime in the future, if records are in place, showing a history of potential suspects in the area, or associated with a particular crime, for when the thief gets caught out later on, for a major online fraud, house bulgary, car theft, assault etc.
Ebay may be building its reputation as a scammers paradise and instilling new found confidence in cyber thieves, but out in the real world theft/ shoplifting/ having stolen property in one's possession is still considered to be a criminal offense, punishable by law. Multiple accounts ... no problem. The name and address of the scammer and or friends and family is always the same ...
Reporting theft and only of you are certain that Australia Post is not at fault, is also a good deterent for wannabe newbie thieves.
