Ebay is the world's largest marketplace with millions of dollars of transactions taking place every day. As such it also attracts a fair number of unwanted personnel, ebay scammers.

Here are a few tips you should note when buying and selling on ebay to avoid falling into the traps set by ebay scammers

1) Payment Terms

Whether you are selling or buying anything on ebay, never agree to use Western Union or Money Gram for your transaction. It has been proven unsafe by numerous ebay users and it is also against ebay's safe payment policy.

2) Beware of Phishing

Phishing is when someone sends you a spoofed email asking for your personal details usually from a recognized company or authority. Usually, they will have a link asking you to submit your details on that webpage.

Do not submit any personal information regarding your ebay login account through it. If you are not sure whether it is authentic, call ebay and asked whether an email was sent to you. In all my years with ebay, they have never me an email asking to verify my ebay account login or credit card details or any of that sort. This also applies for Paypal.

3) Monitor Your Ebay Account

You need to monitor your ebay account closely for any suspicious activity. Examples may be any feedback left, transactions closed, auctions you have listed
Without your knowledge. Inform ebay the moment you suspected your ebay account is being compromised.

4) Second Chance Offers

This seems to be the new favorite scam with ebay scammers and I've seen a couple of them. If you receive a second chance offer for an item you recently bid, check it is from your ebay Messages inbox with the title 'ebay Second Chance Offer for ''If it is, it is authentic. If the email is not in your ebay message inbox or the email title is different, then chances are it is from an ebay scammer. If you are not sure, contact ebay and ask to verify it.

5) Ebay Toolbar and PayPal SafetyBar

Ebay provides a toolbar which can determine whether you are on a legitimate ebay or paypal site. My advise is to install it since it's free. Paypal Safetybar can also detect scam emails in your inbox

By Following the five points above, you will reduce your chances of being scammed by a ebay con artist.