I ran into a phishing website on the web from Global Chocolates which came up as a search result and I'm lucky i didn't enter my data and paid by paypal instead because that website was a TOTAL SCAM with the purpose I think of getting people's CC info, etc. The scam seller never responded once I paypaled my money to him but I got it back from paypal after over a week of no responses from the scam seller.
NEVER ENTER YOUR CC INFO OR BANK ACCT INFO OR OTHER PERSONAL INFO ONTO AN EBAY OR INTERNET WEBSITE (even though they look professional and it seems more convenient) UNLESS YOU KNOW THAT IT'S 100% SAFE like a big reputable retailer like Walmart, Target, Nordstrom's, Outpost, Amazon, etc and BE CAREFUL IT'S NOT A SCAM LOOKALIKE SITE OF THE BIG COMPANIES.
Here are 7 ways if you still want to deal with small companies on the web which have helped me skunk out the scammers:
1. Make sure the company has a DEFINABLE address and not just a P.O. box a scammer is using to collect payments or use as a facade. I know that big companies sometimes use P.O. boxes but they're BIG COMPANIES who have good reasons for using a P.O. Boxes up to and including not wanting to be dealing with nutcase buyers. However, when you're dealing with a small company, the small company can be a "fly by night" or private scammer individual who can instantly put up and instantly take down or alter a website. Cell phone numbers, answering machines/answering services are a RED FLAG!!
2. Check that the business name on the web is a REAL place connected to THAT address with THAT business name. . If there's any discrepancy, RED FLAG!!
3. Look for opinions of the company with friends or on the web with www.epinions.com, planet feedback, or do a web search and put in the words "opinion [company name].
4. Check thru the search engines to see if those same products are also being sold by other websites and look at the descriptions. If there's likeness in the ads, you may be dealing with scammers. Therefore, it's EVEN MORE IMPORTANT you dial the phone number listed with that business listed in the directory to:
1) ask them what URL address website they are using on the web as well as
2) to check that they're not just scammers using an answering machine or answering service.
5. Again, just like with ebay, check their tax info & business license with their local/state governments-See "Contact Info" Section..
6. Call up their neighbors and ask them how long the business has been there, what they sell, what the buyer traffic is like, what their reputation is like, etc.--See "Contact Info" Section.
7. Other Non-Governmental Agencies--See "Contact Info" Section. Don't just rely on the BBB, or better business bureau or other agencies. A lot of BBB's are corrupt and just want to take "subscription money" from the shady or scam sellers. I reported the fraud of Global Chocolates to the BBB and they did nothing and posted the company as having a "satisfactory rating."
--All of the 7 things above will help you decide whether you want to do business with that company. Also, don't rely on the email since any scammer can put down an email address.
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