** warning ** scammers alert ** UPDATE
How to AVOID SCAMS
How to AVOID SCAMS
- AS A BUYER
- · Ask for clear pictures with a specific time or object included.
- · Ask for the sellers address. Check www.anywho.com to find out if they live where they say they live.
- · Get their home phone number. Use www.anywho.com and do a reverse lookup to see if the phone is registered in their name.
- · Call them and talk to them about the watch.
- · Don't get too excited if you see a great watch at a ridiculously cheap price. It may be a scam.
- · Be vigilant with new members.
- · I recommend paying with PayPal using a credit card. It provides an extra layer of protection as long as you don't use the "gift/friends and family" option.
- · Only use bank wire or certified check if you completely trust the seller. Even then, it is a risk.
- · Be specific about which shipping method will be used and ask for the tracking number.
- · Don't ask for the seller to do anything illegal (i.e. reduce value for customs reasons)
- · Google the member's username and real name online. See what comes up.
- · Pay for insurance on every watch.
- · New sellers should comply with all reasonable requests from you (pictures, phone call, etc). If they don't, walk away. If you don't feel comfortable about something, walk away.
- DO NOT list your email address in your WTB, WTT, or in your sales post and don't take communication to email, if a perspective buyer is found to be a scammer and banned you will not know it.
- Never sign into a web site that is sent to you by a stranger, even if it looks like WatchUSeek, it could be a phishing site designed to steal your username and password.
AS A SELLER· Ask for references.
- Check those references. They will give you their best references. Make an inquiry post asking about them.
- If they give you their EBay username as a reference, contact them through the EBay system and ask them if they are the same person.
- Check the forums to see what prior deals have looked like for your buyer.
- Google the username and email address of the buyer. See what comes up.
- Accept whatever payment you are comfortable with
- Know all shipping rules if you are shipping internationally.
- Ask the buyer for their home phone number and call and talk to them. Use www.anywho.com and do a reverse lookup to see if the phone is registered in their name.
- Check www.anywho.com to find out if they live where they say they live.
- Don't reduce the value on an international shipment. It may cause you problems at some point. It also may cost you money.
- Ship the item using a method that allows for insurance, tracking and signature delivery confirmation.
- Be vigilant with new users.
- Make sure you indicate whether or not you will refund shipping if a return happens.
- If someone contacts you about a WTB you have, ask for pictures of that watch with their name written on a piece of paper and the watch near it.
- DO NOT take communication to email, if the seller is found to be a scammer and banned you will not know it.
- If the perspective buyer sends you a link that requires you to sign into WatchUSeek don't do it, it's most likely a phishing site designed to steal your username and password.
- If you feel uncomfortable ask a Moderator or the Admin.
- If you ever feel uncomfortable just walk away!