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Trouble with bots.

Anonymous
Not applicable

I've flagged three messages from bots trying to get personal contact information from me. Any one else?

Message 1 of 6
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5 REPLIES 5

Trouble with bots.

Those are scammers, not bots.

 

As a new seller selling an expensive item, you will attract many scammers.

 

Message 2 of 6
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Trouble with bots.

Anonymous
Not applicable

Well, the messages are all formatted in a specific way that makes me suspect bots. Since it would be nice to talk to a human, I thought the community forum would the place to start. Some one might have some helpful suggestions on where to report probs/ask questions rather than deliver sarcasm. 🤔  thanks for responding. 

Message 3 of 6
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Trouble with bots.

Well, the messages are all formatted in a specific way that makes me suspect bots.

 

Just lazy scammers trying to avoid eBay's message filters that attempt to block phone numbers from being sent directly.

 

Some one might have some helpful suggestions on where to report probs/ask questions rather than deliver sarcasm.

 

Someone might have offered that had you asked.

 

A message that says "I am interested in your item, kindly text me", an offer greater than or equal to your buy it now price, asking for your PayPal email address or a request for a gift card is generally the start of a scam where the scammer winds up sending a phony payment email that makes it look like the seller has received a payment when none has actually been received. Scammers like to target new sellers, particularly those selling expensive items.

 

Sending contact information (text or email) prior to a transaction payment is a violation of eBay policy; this policy is designed to protect honest buyers and sellers from this sort of thing, and to prevent off-eBay sales.

 

Never buy a gift card for anyone unless you are giving a gift.

 

As a seller you should always check your account directly (not following a link in an email) to see if you have actually been paid prior to shipping. If a user commits to a purchase but does not send an actual payment, after four full days you can cancel for nonpayment and give the "buyer" a strike. Be sure to set your buyer requirements to reject bids or purchases from users with two or more nonpayment strikes in the last year.

 

eBay will likely remove the scammer's account shortly, but the scammer will just create a new one or hijack an old one and continue sending scam offers and messages. Sellers must remain wary of any user that wants the seller to violate eBay policy.

 

You can avoid many common scams by listing your item for a fixed price with immediate payment required and by not making or accepting any offers. That way the buyer must complete checkout and actually pay in order to proceed.

 

If you are involved in a transaction you can report the buyer or seller, but to report a random message outside of a transaction requires contacting customer support.

 

You can use the Help & Contact link at the bottom of the page to request a call back from eBay. Use the "Contact us" link and follow the prompts for your issue and you should eventually wind up on a page with a chat option. Choose that, and the last option that appears in the chat window -- use the "See more" option -- should be "Contact an Agent" to request a call-back if you are in North America.

 

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/How-do-I-contact-Customer-Support/m-p/32016431#M1783851

 

Or you can contact eBay via social media:

 

https://twitter.com/askebay

 

https://www.facebook.com/eBay/

Message 4 of 6
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Trouble with bots.

Anonymous
Not applicable

Thank you. 😎

Message 5 of 6
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Trouble with bots.

You are very welcome.

 

Message 6 of 6
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