Fake buyers making overpriced offers to pull scams

[tygermyk1]

Scammers are creating accounts and making offers on items the same day. These offers are over the asking price to get the seller to accept and then is asked to send the item to a different address out-of-country(i.e. Nigeria). Easy to spot because the offers don't make sense and the age of the account is easily seen. Where do I go to report buyers immediately. ronaldchri-0 just offered me a cent higher than my asking price instead of just buying my item. The account was created today so I know it's fake. eBay really needs to require more to create an account and start making offers. This is a serious security issue!

[inceptions]

@tygermyk1

You're a new seller selling expensive items, which makes you a scammer magnet. Listing with Best Offer doesn't help. You might consider listing as fixed price, for the price you want, and with the Immediate Payment required box checked in the listing form.

You can cut down on contact from scammers by going to your My eBay > Account tab > Site Preferences > Selling Preferences > Buyer requirements and block buyers who:

- Don't have a PayPal account
- Have received 2 Unpaid Item strike(s) within 12 Month(s)
- Have 4 Policy Violation report(s) within 6 Month(s)
- Have a feedback score of -1 or lower

Check the box at the bottom to prevent blocked buyers from contacting you.

These scammers don't have PayPal accounts, so they will not be able to contact you once your preferences are set.

[jame234]

Remember to always confirm buyer paid by viewing paid transaction after logging into your PayPal account before shipping.

[tygermyk1]

I definitely check PayPal first. I'm just concerned about the frequency of scams. I've only been selling for a few months and have already been targeted at least 4 times. I just don't think it should be that easy to activate an account and start bidding. I think some extra identification may be needed in the future to stop the annoyances.

[jame234]

@tygermyk1 Yes, I understand. That's why it is important for a seller to educate themselves on possible red flags. New sellers are targeted widely which may explain your several attemps since you started selling. There is one scam where buyer gets new seller to sell off eBay and then the scammer send a bogus email from 'PayPal' saying payment received and time to ship and the scammer has given the new seller a address and never really paid for anything. I don't think eBay can guard against all scams. When one is blocked, another one pops up. Have a great Holiday.

[tygermyk1]

Just got a second fake offer from another instant member on the same item within an hour. I think these scammers like to target game systems. I wish they'd go troll somewhere else. Is there a way to prevent members without any history from making offers or bids? I would prefer they at least have been active for a few months.

[inceptions]

@tygermyk1, Did you read the solution I gave you in the answer I posted for you on this thread?

[soh.maryl]

When I read your remark about wanting a buyer to have been active for a few months, I interpreted it as meaning that it's okay for the rest of us to take a chance with newbies, but not you.  

[tygermyk1]

I meant that everyone should have the ability to block obvious scammers with some standardized filters, not just me. Especially when you see that they created their account the same day. I couldn't even find a way to report them when I knew their interest was fake. It looks like we have to just police ourselves the best we can.