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Auctionbytes-Update, Number 103 - September 21, 2003 - ISSN 1528-6703     Previous Story | Contents | Next Story
	Survey Says Fraud is a Problem on eBay and Other Sites By Ina Steiner AuctionBytes.com September 21, 2003 Reading AuctionBytes: Survey Says Fraud is a Problem on eBay and Other Sites
The majority (98%) of AuctionBytes readers who took a survey this month believe fraud is a problem on eBay, and 95.7% believe eBay is not the only site where online fraud takes place. In the last issue (September 7), we asked readers to complete a survey about eBay fraud. While 98% of respondents think fraud is a problem on eBay, most (65.8%) characterized it as a minor problem. However, 95.7% do not believe that eBay is the only site where online fraud takes place. What can eBay do to help prevent fraud on its site? 79.5% said eBay should respond to user complaints about fraudsters. 62.4% of respondents said eBay should require stricter verification when registering an account. Respondents would also like to see eBay improve its feedback system (47.9%). We asked a question about how the media (newspapers, TV, etc.) report about fraud; 47.9% think the media don't report enough about fraud, 26.5% think they are too negative; while 20.5% feel they do a balanced job. What kinds of stories would respondents like to see the media report? 65% said stories about the challenges of selling on eBay, and almost half would like to see stories about great shopping opportunities. 42.7% would like to see the media report on stories about successful sellers. Results of eBay-Fraud Survey of AuctionBytes-Update Readers, September 2003 Is fraud a problem on eBay? 65.8% Minor Problem 32.5% Major Problem 1.7% Other 0% Not a problem Other: I believe it to be major in some items Screen sellers, then not a problem It is a SIGNIFICANT problem What could eBay do to help prevent fraud on its site? 79.5% Respond to user complaints about fraudsters 63.2% Keep known fraudsters off the site 62.4% Require stricter verification when registering an account 47.9% Improve feedback system 35% Work more closely with law enforcement 10.3% Other 2.6% Nothing, eBay does a fine job of preventing fraud on its site Comments: Post known fraudsters on public board Require eBay ID verify on all newbies Buyers won't buy if not comfortable Accounts are hijacked Scandalous non-egalitarian system exists Let buyers know seller has been suspended Do you think they REALLY care??? Other: Provide complete protection for buyers Screen User IDs for problems All of the above Stop denying the problems exist! Allow phone #s to contact Add seller option to block foreign bidders Need experience identifying hijacked Stop chargebacks on non-American sellers Make sure that NARUs cannot re-register eliminate "private" auctions Keep eBay users better informed Stricter for high ticket items In reporting about eBay fraud, do you think the media (newspapers, TV, etc.): 47.9% Don't report enough about fraud 26.5% Are too negative 20.5% Do a balanced job 5.1% Other Comments: They also give a lot of bogus advice Squeaky wheel gets grease syndrome! Only bad news makes for good television! Other: Are generally badly misinformed No opinion about media. Not sure No opinion Not current on what the media is doing What kinds of eBay-related news stories would you like to see the media report? 65% Stories about the challenges of selling on eBay 49.6% Stories about great shopping opportunities 42.7% Stories of successful sellers 36.8% Stories about eBay's unfair treatment of its users 30.8% Stories about eBay's positive treatment of its users 8.5% Other Other: Fraud How to avoid bad buyers and sellers No opinion about media All of the above What eBay is doing to prevent fraud No opinion Feedback policy problems & deadbeats All of the above I don't think eBay stories are newsworthy Impossibility of contacting eBay Fraudulent sellers/buyers prosecuted Is eBay the only site where online fraud takes place? 95.7% No 4.3% Yes Comment: More so because of its popularity! eBay is just the largest/best known. It's a very lucrative target, however. Yahoo sales rarely completed without trouble! More rampant on eBay because it is bigger Other: Don't use other sites - no opinions I am sure not. Have not tried other sites Don't know It's the only one that's newsworthy. Do you buy or sell on eBay? 89.7% Sell 88.9% Buy 4.3% Other