【GUIDE/INFO】How To Avoid Being Scammed
Feb 3, 2014 3:19:01 GMT
SHINee, addictedtoyouleesungmin, and 1 more like this
Post by doodlebug on Feb 3, 2014 3:19:01 GMT
GUIDE ON HOW TO AVOID BEING SCAMMED
So the mods have been chatting about how to make the forum an even more safe and trustworthy place to trade, sell and buy. We've been busying coming up with and discussing ideas and the first idea was a thread about things to look out for to avoid getting scammed.
As we all know getting scammed out of a card that you really want is not only an upsetting business but also a frustrating one so we've gathered up some tips and things to do to avoid being one of those people who is scammed out of their card.
We will keep adding to this if any new ways or tips come up, so feel free to add your own tips in the comments and the mods will add them to the list.
• Firstly make sure to check the trustworthy lists on the forum here, here, here & here to see if other people have traded/bought with them successfully before. If they aren't on the list ask in the ‘Is this trader/seller trustworthy?’ thread here.
• Get to know the person you are trading/buying from. Chat to them a little bit. It doesn't have to be much but talk to them and see if they give off a good feeling.
• Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. If they person is legit they should have no problem answering questions if they are really interested in trading/selling to you. If they sound like they are getting annoying or don’t want to answer probably best to avoid.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for a list of successful past trades/sales. If there is nothing to hide and the trader/seller is legit they should have no problem giving you a list of names. For extra piece of mind if you want you can always message those people and ask how the trade/sale went.
• If people can’t provide feedback or a list of successful past trades because they are new, ask them to send first or at the same time.
• Always ask for photo proof of the card and make sure to get their handwritten username in the picture or video with the cards.
• If need be, get a confirmation video or photo of them either packaging the card with your address or a photo of the envelope with your address on it. If they are legit they should have no problem doing this for you. Don’t always count on this option though as some scammers will show themselves packaging the card into the envelope and will then remove the card afterwards.
• If it makes you feel safer and more at ease ask for registered shipping. It might cost a little extra but at least you know it’s been registered and make sure to check the tracking number as soon as you can. When trading you can also maybe agree to both send registered, it might not always be possible however. If you can do this though always ask to see a photo of the receipt for proof of posting. Receipts will have the date the item was sent, the tracking number and what post office it was sent from.
• If buying or selling and using Paypal to carry out these transactions always if possible use the "send PayPal payments as "Goods/Services" option, this way if anything should happen you can try and get your money back if the item is damaged or you don't receive it. For more detailed info on Paypal payments check out our info thread here.
• Keep in constant contact with the person during the trade/sale even after you've exchanged addresses.
• Keep a person’s records such as usernames on any SN sites so if you can’t find them on one you can find them on another. Write as much info as you can down; What cards you are trading, when you and they sent the cards out, addresses…anything that will help if you do happen to unfortunately get scammed, all info helps.
• If the offer seems way too good to be true it probably is. In some cases though for example someone may want to trade a less popular member for a popular member. Now they may just want to complete their set but use your own judgement. If it seems too good it might be.
• And most important of all - Trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right don’t go ahead with the trade.
If you are or believe you have been scammed then read through this thread and please don't be afraid to contact the mods who will do what they can to help you.
So the mods have been chatting about how to make the forum an even more safe and trustworthy place to trade, sell and buy. We've been busying coming up with and discussing ideas and the first idea was a thread about things to look out for to avoid getting scammed.
As we all know getting scammed out of a card that you really want is not only an upsetting business but also a frustrating one so we've gathered up some tips and things to do to avoid being one of those people who is scammed out of their card.
We will keep adding to this if any new ways or tips come up, so feel free to add your own tips in the comments and the mods will add them to the list.
• Firstly make sure to check the trustworthy lists on the forum here, here, here & here to see if other people have traded/bought with them successfully before. If they aren't on the list ask in the ‘Is this trader/seller trustworthy?’ thread here.
• Get to know the person you are trading/buying from. Chat to them a little bit. It doesn't have to be much but talk to them and see if they give off a good feeling.
• Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. If they person is legit they should have no problem answering questions if they are really interested in trading/selling to you. If they sound like they are getting annoying or don’t want to answer probably best to avoid.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for a list of successful past trades/sales. If there is nothing to hide and the trader/seller is legit they should have no problem giving you a list of names. For extra piece of mind if you want you can always message those people and ask how the trade/sale went.
• If people can’t provide feedback or a list of successful past trades because they are new, ask them to send first or at the same time.
• Always ask for photo proof of the card and make sure to get their handwritten username in the picture or video with the cards.
• If need be, get a confirmation video or photo of them either packaging the card with your address or a photo of the envelope with your address on it. If they are legit they should have no problem doing this for you. Don’t always count on this option though as some scammers will show themselves packaging the card into the envelope and will then remove the card afterwards.
• If it makes you feel safer and more at ease ask for registered shipping. It might cost a little extra but at least you know it’s been registered and make sure to check the tracking number as soon as you can. When trading you can also maybe agree to both send registered, it might not always be possible however. If you can do this though always ask to see a photo of the receipt for proof of posting. Receipts will have the date the item was sent, the tracking number and what post office it was sent from.
• If buying or selling and using Paypal to carry out these transactions always if possible use the "send PayPal payments as "Goods/Services" option, this way if anything should happen you can try and get your money back if the item is damaged or you don't receive it. For more detailed info on Paypal payments check out our info thread here.
• Keep in constant contact with the person during the trade/sale even after you've exchanged addresses.
• Keep a person’s records such as usernames on any SN sites so if you can’t find them on one you can find them on another. Write as much info as you can down; What cards you are trading, when you and they sent the cards out, addresses…anything that will help if you do happen to unfortunately get scammed, all info helps.
• If the offer seems way too good to be true it probably is. In some cases though for example someone may want to trade a less popular member for a popular member. Now they may just want to complete their set but use your own judgement. If it seems too good it might be.
• And most important of all - Trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right don’t go ahead with the trade.
If you are or believe you have been scammed then read through this thread and please don't be afraid to contact the mods who will do what they can to help you.