EBay enhances online fraud protection

Officials operating eBay Inc. is trying to reform this online auction image when it makes security a top priority in 2007. This result stems from an investigation showing that cybercriminals can cheat. Its reputation.

Since last year, this San Jose-based online auction company has started a program to protect its customers' identities by hiding their names in big-value listings.

That method has made it more difficult for phishers to contact loser auctions and provoke them to participate in a "second chance" where customers are trapped in cash. for accounts of these scammers.

William C. Cobb, chairman of eBay in North America, said the technical experts also wanted to reduce fake auction items and punish fraudulent schemes between sellers and buyers in other countries. together.

" There is nothing to hide, the situation of scams aimed at sites like eBay and PayPal has increased a lot, becoming more sophisticated in the past, " Mr. Cobb commented on the eBay forum. " We are working on a historical focus on clarity and freedom to buy and sell on eBay. Today, security risks are becoming very complex, and we are working hard. protect your customers against online scams ".

Participants in the eBay forum also sent a complaint message to auction sellers charging too high shipping and handling fees. " eBay has reduced its average shipping costs by 25% since last summer, " Cobb said.

The focus on security - considered the most important innovation in eBay's 12-year history - kicked off the seminar for the top eBay salespeople last week in Burlingame. Business owners participating in the second annual e-commerce forum sold 7 million products on eBay in 2006, with sales of $ 1.5 billion.

"Strong consumption" sellers on eBay have stressed concerns - as well as threatening to switch to other sales sites - ahead of eBay's slow response to online fraud tricks.

EBay said only less than 1% of 1% (1 / 10,000) of their sales people showed signs of fraud. However, according to that classic calculation, there will also be 58,300 auctions that are fake in a quarter. More than 583 million products were sold on eBay in the third quarter of 2006.

The most interesting issue is that scammers are still operating on high-end products such as cars, electronics and jewelry. There is no way to accurately estimate the amount of damage caused by fraudsters on eBay, where $ 12.64 billion worth of goods were traded in the third quarter of 2006.

EBay spokesman Hani Durzy said the company is focusing its target on scammers - from scammers to organized crime groups.

" We cannot be sure to completely block Internet scammers, but we know that phishing incidents are a major issue that makes people leave eBay - and they will pass on to those who "Mr. Durzy said. " In 2007, people will see a big change in our goal to ensure safety and honesty ."

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