New site aims to beat online auction cheats

A new web-based service launches this week that aims to combat the growing problem of online auction fraud.

On average some 12.5 million transactions were completed on auction sites worldwide every single day during 2004, of which 250,000 turned out to be fraudulent – with sellers failing to deliver the goods, buyers giving bogus credit card details or people selling stolen or counterfeit goods.

By registering with a new site, www.reportauctionfraud.com, members of the public and businesses using online auction sites can check out buyers and sellers for just 50p. Details are verified immediately by accessing an up-to-the-minute database established by Early Warning (UK), the organisation that monitors online and credit card fraud.

Registration is free and takes only a few minutes, after which you are set up to make checks online. If you have already fallen victim to auction fraud, you can use the website to add information about your own case so that others can be warned, the information is then instantly available to the police should they wish to view it.