topic Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE in Selling

REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

the-fab-gift-shop — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 00:13:49 GMT

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.

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

cherry*135 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 00:39:55 GMT

Good idea in principle.

As long as you are 100% sure a buyer genuinely didn't receive their parcel (which imo you can't) before treating them as a scammer/thief (lost parcel could have been left outside recipients house by delivery person & passerby stole it, postal worker could have nabbed it, it got delivered to a wrong address and that person kept it etc)

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.

Can you do that? You don't have to lodge it in person?

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

putney32 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 01:13:25 GMT

@am*3 wrote:
Good idea in principle.

As long as you are 100% sure a buyer genuinely didn't receive their parcel (which imo you can't) before treating them as a scammer/thief (lost parcel could have been left outside recipients house by delivery person & passerby stole it, postal worker could have nabbed it, it got delivered to a wrong address and that person kept it etc)

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.

Can you do that? You don't have to lodge it in person?

actully for online fraud, it has to be lodged with the Online Fraud Squad, not the local police station. that is why they set up an online fraud squad.

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

clarry100 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 01:41:03 GMT

I actually went so far as to download the reporting form from the online fraud squad in Brisbane.

It's a 10-page document and pretty soon you will reach a point where it had better be a high value item and you are pretty sure of your facts before you put the required time into filling it in.

The form does ask you to lodge it in person at your local QPS station. So not to sure if/how this will work in other states. Looks like the form only covers for a fraudster who is located in QLD.

So we thought we had best just "suck it up" for our items as they only average about $10 each. And you can never be 100% certain of the fact that they have frauded you. You may be making false accusations.

But if you were frauded out of a high value item then it would be worth pursuing I would think.

There may be a federal police equivalent form I did not find that will do the same thing on a nationwide basis.

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

cherry*135 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 01:56:28 GMT

@putney32 wrote:
@am*3 wrote:
Good idea in principle.

As long as you are 100% sure a buyer genuinely didn't receive their parcel (which imo you can't) before treating them as a scammer/thief (lost parcel could have been left outside recipients house by delivery person & passerby stole it, postal worker could have nabbed it, it got delivered to a wrong address and that person kept it etc)

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.

Can you do that? You don't have to lodge it in person?
actully for online fraud, it has to be lodged with the Online Fraud Squad, not the local police station. that is why they set up an online fraud squad.

Yes, that is why I queried lodging a complaint at the accused local's police station, when you don't live in that area yourself, over an online transaction.

Accuser have to be very careful, I would take action to clear my name if a seller did that to me, when if I genuinely didn't receive a item I bought online.

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

character_parties_aus — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 01:53:18 GMT

9 times out of 10 it is quite easy to spot a genuine INR or buyer with a genuine gripe than a potential fraudster or someone trying it on ( which I wouldnt classify as fraud).

The nature of our items means that on eBay I have to date only ever had one genuine fraud I can think of ( where I knew I was getting taken for a ride and could do zero about it) but get plenty of try it on types usually one or two a week. I can put at least 50% of those to bed myself by simply asking the right questions. The others I guess I just have to factor it into my pricing.

The system eBay has now however in which they PROFIT out of returns via labels is pretty much enough for me to say next year if my website sales continue then its bye bye eBay and I'll take the 25k a year I pay you in fees and you can stick it where the sun dont shine honey.

Over time the new system will drive honest sellers off eBay and drive thieves onto it. And that appears to be a situation they are content to produce.

SO I fully endorse Stat Decs!

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

cherry*135 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 01:55:15 GMT

The online fraud site is for all areas of Australia.

I filled out a report a quite few years ago, when I was scammed (bank deposit). It was only for $20, but that eBay scam seller got away with around $2000 from their scam listings.

I was able to find out from a seller who sold the scammer an item, the address it was sent to was in TAS. The only feedback I got from the Online Fraud section was the seller was unable to be located but believed to be in QLD.

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

lyndal1838 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 01:57:08 GMT

Clarry, the website is very specific that the online Fraud Squad is located in Queensland but covers the whole of Australia.

There is even a section giving information on what authorities to contact when overseas sellers are involved.

I was able to successfully report a US seller....I did not get my money back but it was intensely satisfying to know that she would not be ripping off other buyers.

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

cherry*135 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 02:00:37 GMT

@character_parties_aus wrote:
9 times out of 10 it is quite easy to spot a genuine INR or buyer with a genuine gripe than a potential fraudster or someone trying it on ( which I wouldnt classify as fraud).

The nature of our items means that on eBay I have to date only ever had one genuine fraud I can think of ( where I knew I was getting taken for a ride and could do zero about it) but get plenty of try it on types usually one or two a week. I can put at least 50% of those to bed myself by simply asking the right questions. The others I guess I just have to factor it into my pricing.

The system eBay has now however in which they PROFIT out of returns via labels is pretty much enough for me to say next year if my website sales continue then its bye bye eBay and I'll take the 25k a year I pay you in fees and you can stick it where the sun dont shine honey.

Over time the new system will drive honest sellers off eBay and drive thieves onto it. And that appears to be a situation they are content to produce.

SO I fully endorse Stat Decs!

What would you do with the Stat Dec though? Post it to an 'accused's' local police station -without any proof the buyer is a scammer? Lodge an online fraud complaint.. with no proof the buyer is a scammer?

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

cherry*135 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 02:02:27 GMT

is also a good deterent for wannabe newbie thieves.

That is concerning. Making a judgment on a buyer who has no history of lost parcels.

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

character_parties_aus — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 02:29:54 GMT

I take your point but it will put the wind up a lot of people who perhaps have form with the police....

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

harley_babes_hoard — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 02:40:17 GMT

@lyndal1838 wrote:
Clarry, the website is very specific that the online Fraud Squad is located in Queensland but covers the whole of Australia.

There is even a section giving information on what authorities to contact when overseas sellers are involved.
I was able to successfully report a US seller....I did not get my money back but it was intensely satisfying to know that she would not be ripping off other buyers.

Lyndal it looks like that has changed now, no links for other states. The bookmarks I have are all going to just the queensland one now.

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

lyndal1838 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 02:58:47 GMT

Harley, there never were any links as far as I know. You always had to lodge through the Queensland site for every state.

I have never lodged a complaint for an Aussie seller......just the US one where I had to contact the FBI.

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

harley_babes_hoard — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 03:04:07 GMT

Yeah you used to go to the Queensland site but there were different links for different states to lodge the complaints

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

go-tazz — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 03:19:37 GMT

The Queensland one is now for Qld only by the look.

The current ones are

NSW: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/fraud_prevention

WA: http://www.police.wa.gov.au/Crimetypes/Fraud/Quickreportingguide/tabid/1959/Default.aspx

VIC: http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?document_id=21535

QLD: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/cscp/fraud/complaints.htm

TAS: http://www.police.tas.gov.au/cyber-crime/

Some now direct you to: Cyber crime: http://www.acorn.gov.au/

There was talk that it was all going to go there,(so it looks like it's now in place),

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

harley_babes_hoard — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 03:30:51 GMT

Thanks Go Tazz, Nice to know I'm not going nuts lol

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

kingfisher.curiosity.shop — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 04:07:19 GMT

A few years ago I bought a $350 item from a well known collectables expert in QLD. Their identity was know to me via a collectables forum away from ebay. The item was a uniquely named item with the name being the value point.

Paid by bank transfer as per their request and a few days later it was marked as sent. Requested a tracking number but no reply received.

A week or two later no item and still no answers to messages.

The PO duly informs me that the sender has to open a missing item claim even though messages werent being answered.

At this stage I was messaging every couple of days. Their phone number kept going to message bank.

I went to my local Police Station and reported the item as missing in the post. Long story short the Police said that as seller had marked it as payment received and item sent there was a case. Just not in my state.

So I rang the Police station in the sellers town and repeated the story.Nothing they could do blah blah blah. When I mentioned the identy of the seller being a well known " expert " it caught their attention. I was told thanks for my call and they would get back to me.

My item turned up within a few days of my phone conversation. A couple of weeks later the police called to check up if I had received my item. I said it had and he gave me the impression it wasnt the first time this seller had taken money and not sent the item.

The police can help if they know about it so I recommend every attempted fraud/theft via ebay be put on paper with the police whether online or in person.

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

cherry*135 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 05:02:09 GMT

I saw those sites before also. I never found anything where you can report online fraud, online to the AFP.

I looked at the NSW link as that is where I live.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/fraud_prevention

It is more fraud prevention advice and to dob in anyone you know who commits fraud.

Doesn't even mention online fraud (seller/buyer transactions), and in what way a person would be best contact the police if that happens to them.

That link certainly isn't a substitute for the previous online fraud reporting site based in QLD (that doesn't appear to be current now, not Australia wide anyway).

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

go-tazz — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 21:48:25 GMT

@am*3 wrote:
I saw those sites before also. I never found anything where you can report online fraud, online to the AFP.

The AFP wont take reports about online fraud.

I looked at the NSW link as that is where I live.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/fraud_prevention

It is more fraud prevention advice and to dob in anyone you know who commits fraud.

That's why they are trying to direct everyone to: http://www.acorn.gov.au/

They are trying to correlate everything through the one agency,(that way they can "suss" out related

scams,etc).

Re: REPORTING EBAY THEFT TO LOCAL POLICE

dvdezydvds — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 17:20:51 GMT

I am only guessing but i think all of the new charges have been designed to substitute ebay offering the brand name stores either free listing, free fvf, free paypal etc to attract them to the site. I just can't see any other reason these company's would need to list on here when they have stores and their own websites. I would love for every Australian Seller to make a stand and not list anything for one day. Who does ebay have left a heap of chinese sellers selling $1 items with free postage. Not a lot of profit in fees for ebay. It would have to make a massive impact and could potentially do more to help than just making complaints to the accc and complaining on here.

Ebay can do as they please, as they have done, time and time again over the years. Money is the root of all evil and sellers are used to the money and like the money, which is why they continue to sell on here after every fee rise, defect rule and changes with paypal and ebay knows that. So they continue on there merry way making billions of dollars in profit that doesn't even stay in our country. One day of no Aussies Sellers listing fee, postage fee, final fee and paypal fee, they may not care, but they may and if Aus Sellers did this one day every month then something would have to give. It won't ever happen but boy i would love to be a fly on the wall if it ever did.