How to distinguish or avoid scammers in online shopping

A lot says buying online isn't safe. Well, yes of course as you have no idea about the seller or if they will deliver the item after u made payment or not.

It’s not that easy when it comes to giving out money, it requires trust and confidence. Though, scam is everywhere not only online but what matter is we are aware of it.

Here's how to distinguish or avoid scammers.

In online shopping
- Check the website if it’s legitimate or reliable by searching using Google or other search engine. There are too many information there that might link to complaints or comments.

- If the site is legitimate, next step is to check the seller's reputation. In eBay, you have an option there to check the percentage feedback of the sellers if they have positive or negative feedback.

- Don't just rely to positive or negative feedback because some buyers leave negative feedback for their personal interest or to ruin the seller’s credibility.

- Check those comments and get the buyer's ID, check the buyer's account if it’s an old account or new because the seller might just created a new account to leave feedback for their own.

Try to contact two or more of those buyers or send a message asking them about the reliability of the seller.

- If you want to buy a very expensive item then request for meet up. If they're too far from your location then try to buy something with small amount first, just a trial if they will send the item or not. If they do and you are still in doubt then try to buy another one with a quite higher price. If they are constant of sending the item then that's the only time you buy the very expensive item from them.

- Ask for bank account and PayPal as they contain legitimate information about the seller. No one can open bank account without a valid identification or even open PayPal without having it verified using their credit card or debit card.

- If still in doubt and seems that the money is too high then you can request for a fax copy of their ID showing their face, name and address so you will know where to see them just in case they failed to send the item or perhaps they can scan it and send it over to you through email. It's a small request compare to the money that you will about to pay so I guess they will not mind. Just tell them in a nice way so they will not going to feel bad about it.

- If still in doubt then listen to your own instinct, better not to buy and go to the mall instead, it's alright to buy the item even if it’s more expensive out there for at least you know that your money is safe.