A perfect example of why you should have different usernames and unique passwords for every online service you use.
People fall for phishing attempts, and since many use the same passwords over, and over...I can see how it's easy to phish an ebay account...

Security needs to be on the end user's part as well as on the part of the online businesses.

Ex-pat, Vegas,

When you complete a transaction on ebay, wait for the transaction won email, this has the seller name and address + postcode and usually a telephone number. User www.192.com and search for the surname against the poscode, this shows that the seller is on the electroral roll which is a good indication, then use the full address and check on 118500.com against surname and postcode, see if they have a landline, again a good indication, if a mobile has been given, phone the landline and check if you have doubts. I've have negative feedback from seller because they won't give me their details, even though they have mine! but to me that means something a bit fishy - stolen goods etc. Also on advanced search page, the is the option to exchange contact details , so on a winning bid enter the auction number and ebay name of the seller and you should get an email with their details. None of it is full proof, but it all helps build a better picture. Also check the value of items previously sold.

Adam Jarvvis, UK, UK

Ebay and Paypal (owned by ebay) could do a lot more to reduced their fraudulent use.

I dont know if this still applies (someone please correct me) but the last I heard is that it is still not possible to put a limit on the transactions made; this would limit the damage in the event your details were stolen.

There is nothing to stop someone using your Paypal details to buy a yacht, jumbo or submarine.

Why is this the case when it is so easily prevented? Because ebay & paypal make money on every transaction; to allow a limit may reduce their revenue; so to maximise their profits they will do nothing to protect their customers.

They stink and the DTI stinks for not forcing them to do more.

Jack Sprat, Bristol, UK

I've got good feedback and years of experience on eBay but was scammed nevertheless. It was a car, a pre-drive-by-wire Rover 825SD. I do like this model very much but after mine was shunted by a taxi (driver says I reversed into him!) I wanted something smarter. Car was described in glowing terms. Minor faults and scratches were mentioned (all part of the con) Unfortunately the car leaks like a sieve, floorpan is buckled by jacking in the wrong place, and car has been "clocked". I thought I was buying a car in really good condition with 100,000 less miles on it than my blue one (180K). A car that should have lasted at least five years of my retirement but it has a "tired" engine and to cap it all it has a "bent" MOT (ABS not working and bulb removed) The cheeky seller even sent rude emails saying "Ha Ha Ha" and "Loser". PayPal say that the vehicle IS as described! HPI won't disclose mileages to public! Why is the UK run 4 benefit of cheats? Data Protection Act helps cheats.

David Benyon, Bude, UK Cornwall

Just because you have a well paid job doesn't make you savvy. I run a mail order business and we have set our payment security so no one at the company sees card or account details. Everyday customers phone wanting to give all their details over unsecure phonelines to strangers. I have even had returns with customers names addresses and card details on covering letters. It is the same mentality that makes people think they can leave bags lying around unattended. Thirty years of being bombed by the IRA suceeded in removing bins from railway stations but not one ounce of awareness slipped into the collective public mentality fraud whether ebay or card fraud happens to someone else.

Neil Warner, Wantage, Oxon UK

Accounts also get hijacked. These accounts which have excellent feedback ratings are then used to sell non-existent items aswell as used to give fraudsters good feedback. I wouldn't trust paypal because they will only refund a certain amount and you can't conflict resolution with someone who has taken your money and run. So only use it if you are paying an amount that is covered by their poor policy. Paypal should act as a third party whereby payment is received by paypal and only on recorded receipt of the goods would the money be released to the seller.

I got scammed along with several other experienced ebay buyers and never again. Ebay simply do not have the necessary security or resources these days to stop the fraud.

Russ, Reading, UK

I found a January 2007 Galaxy in Classified Ads on ebay for £ 6094! (what a bargain!) Apparently it was in Marlborough. I offered to fetch the cash (just down the M4) and if I liked it, to buy it. The seller told me he was in Budapest, Hungary for 3 weeks and I should send the money to ebay there, he then would ship the vehicle to me (it’s crated up!) and once I had it on approval for 7 days if all was ok ebay would transfer the money to him. I didn’t take up their kind offer, although I told them I had sent the money to ebay (who had told me that “their” email wasn’t genuine!)

I’m still getting phone calls from Donald the seller, usually the number is withheld – sometimes they are calling from 001441625502 which would appear to be from Brazil! I see from the British Embassy in Brazil’s website and a Google search that phishing is an up and coming pastime in Brazil.

I’ve contacted South Wales Police, the police in Budapest and the British Embassy in Brazil.

arthur bletchly, Bridgend, Wales

Ebay could do MUCH more pro-actively with alerts SHOWING what the fraudsters are doing. They could also have a very easy interface for reporting suspicious activity, which they don't have. (every account should have a 'tick-box' asking for it to be checked over.Why not?) They actually make it easy for the fraudsters and hard for soon-to-be-ripped-off punters. It's simply not good enough with this size of community saying 'we've told you not to give out details' I know heavy-weight city people who've had their details conned.

Simon Addinsell, London, UK

eBay own PayPal and that has protection, I certainly wouldn' send a "wire" for cash and I never ask a customer to use one. I will only use PayPal precisely because of their dispute resolution.

Jay, Whittlesey, UK

What ebay need/needed long ago is a good escrow service for larger transactions. That people will be protected to a good degree. It would not be save either to onsist on cash when seeing car, because you may turn up and get battered and cash taken.

Patrick Swinmer, London, UK