Con Artists are breaking into ebay accounts by stealing passwords and listing hundreds of phony items in them every day!
According to FBI / IC3 reports on the latest auction fraud schemes, the culprits are usually in cyber cafes, half a world away.

They love to lure shoppers with ridiculously low prices. When you read the listings, however, they always request you write them privately to discuss a "buy-it-now" price (this is an obvious sign of a western union con). There is never a real "buy-it-now" ebay button to purchase the item in the listing.

Often, once you write them privately, you'll receive a phony "buy-it-now" EMAIL LINK that takes you to their own scam webserver. If you click on it, they will try to collect passwords, account info, etc. and rob you. At the very least, they will keep your passwords to hijack your ebay account and fill it with phony auctions.

After emailing a scammer, I received half a dozen phony emails like this: "You've just sent a payment to (blah blah) Click here to cancel the transaction." or "You've received an UNPAID ITEM STRIKE for (some weird item)" and last but not least: "Buyer Complaint: You never shipped (another weird item) I'm reporting you to the local police! " (Clicking on Item No. sends you to scam website). There was even a phony link to report the mail to ebay security!

I changed the email address in my ebay account, so that any fraud ebay mail came to the wrong address. When you are using paypal and ebay frequently, it's dangerous to be opening mail that looks authentic, trying to convince you that you've sent payments to weird people for weird things!
Forward any suspicious ebay mail to [email protected]!

The bottom line on scams...If a seller seems to be begging you to email privately, it is probably a stolen account. Scammers have to request western unions in private emails, because ebay blocks it in listings. Using ebay's "Ask Seller a Question" link also alerts the real account owner to fraudulant activity.

How to protect your passwords & accounts:

If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply. And don’t click on the link in the message, either. Use anti-virus software and a firewall, and keep them up to date. Check for an "https" website before typing in ebay & paypal passwords. (the s is for "secure") Go to the security options in your web browser and have it alert you when entering an unsecure site. Make a habit of manually typing in the ebay & paypal addresses, never use a link. Don’t email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive. Never email a scammer, they may keep your address to send phony password stealing links!

What to watch for:

Watch out for private e-mail request in auctions (a scammer doesn't want you to use "ask seller a question" link -it's not their account), private auctions, (hides bidders so we can't warn them), broken english, item location not matching seller's location (to avoid local pick ups), a "buy now" offer is mentioned, but no ebay buy-it-now button (this is a lure to a western union request), item listed in wrong category (scammers try to "hide" from scam warnings), and 1 or 2 day auctions for expensive item (quick sale before discovered by the account owner). Please arm yourself with information against cyber crime...read my guide "Scams! Phony Auction Alert! and search ebay guides for other Scam Warnings! This "e thru z" list warning is condensed in order to reach people shopping for the items listed below!)

Here is one day's greedy collection of current SCAM AUCTIONS: (e thru z)
Be careful if you are shopping for any of these items!

E-Blade 2 AutoCocker Brand New
Eagle FishStrike 2000C GPS Fishfinder
Eastern gooseneck trailer
Eclipse AVN5495 CD/DVD player with 6.5" screen
Eclipse AVN6600 CD/DVD Player with DVD
Eclipse AVN7000 CD/DVD Player/Hard Disk Drive
Eclipse, Phoenix Gold Navigation GPS
Electric Remote Projection Screen
Embroidery Professional Baby Lock EMP 6
Entry Level AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Goggle
EPSON EMP-TW600
Escort Passport Radar Laser Detecor
Eten M500 E-ten phone
EV Electro Voice P3000RL & P1200RL power amplifier
FEATHERLITE 6 HORSE GOOSENECK TRAILER
Felt B2 Triathlon Bike F65
2005 Felt B2 Triathlon
Felt F35 56cm Road Bike
Fender Super Reverb Electric Guitar Amp Amplifier AB763
FENDER 1963 JAZZ BASS
Ferris IS 3000 Independent Suspension Zero Turn
FIVE STAR 36 Gas 4 Burner & Griddle Stainless RANGE
1965 Ford Mustang Fastback Shelby GT 350
1965 FORD MUSTANG GT
Ford Mustang 1967 Buy It Now $5, 400.00
FOUR STAR 3 HORSE TRAILER 10 LQ
FRANKE SAPHIRA PROFESSIONAL ESPRESSO CAPPUCCINO
Fuji Fujifilm Finepix S3 Pro 12.3MP Digital Pro Camera
FUJI S3 PRO & 2 NIKON LENSES 4GIG
Fujitsu LifeBook T4210 Tablet PC
Fujitsu P63XHA40US HDTV-Ready Plasma Television
FURUNO FR-1942MK2 6kW, 64NM Marine Radar System
FURUNO GP1650WFNT GPS Fish Finder GP1850
GAGGIA Automatic Titanium Espresso Machine
GARMIN 010-00400-10 StreetPilot® 7200 GPS Receiver
Garmin 3010C Chartplotter GPS Marine Network Bundle
Garmin Apollo i-Linc MX20 I/O TRAFFIC CHARTVIEW
Garmin GDL69 - XM Weather StreetPilot
Garmin GNS-480 430
Garmin GPSMAP-396, 296
Garmin GTX 330
Garmin StreetPilot 7500 GPS Navigator
Gary Fisher Big Sur Mountain Bike
Gateway CX2620 Tablet PC Notebook
GE Profile BIG SLIM 24.6 cf Side by Side REFRIGERATOR
GENERAC ULTRASOURCE 17.5 KW PORTABLE GENERATOR
GIBSON ES-355 TD CHERRY RED
Gibson Les Paul SG Custom
GIBSON REVERSE FIREBIRD VII PELHAM BLUE
Handground TOUR Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Black Pearl
Harley-Davidson 2002 VRSC A V-Rod Pristine
Harman Kardon Citation 2 II Tube Power Amplifier
Harris RF-126 RF Radio Frequency Amplifier
Hasselblad H1 645 Medium Format AutoFocus Camera Kit
HENNY PENNY BLAST CHILLER FREEZER1
Henny Penny HOLLYMATIC COMMERCIAL MEAT TENDERIZER
Herman Miller Aeron Chair Size C Black & Gray
Herman Miller® Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Hifonics XX Goliath 5000 Watts RMS
Hifonics XX- Goliath ultra d-class Subwoofer amplifier
Hobart 10, 000 Generator & DC Welder
2003 Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird
2003 Honda Gl-1800 Gold Wing Ex-Shape
Honda 200X Three Wheeler
HONDA ES 6500 WATER COOLED GENERATOR
Honda eu2000i Generator
Honda Generator H1000, 10, 000 Watt
Honda pwd 5000 watt generator 9hp
Honda Powered Emergency Standby Backup Generator
HONDA RANCHER 350 4X4
Hot tub spa jacuzzi tubs spas whirlpool hottubs garden
HP Compaq Tablet PC tc4200
HP hw6515a PDA iPAQ Mobile Messenger
HP/COMPAQ V4000 PRESARIO tc1100
Hughes & Kettner H&K Tri-Amp Tube Amp Amplifier Head
HUSQVARNA VIKING DESIGNER
HUSQVARNA VIKING MEGA QUILTER NEW W/ REGISTRATION
HYDROSPA STAMINA HOT TUB JACUZZI SPA
i-mate JAMin
i-Mate JASJAR 3G WiFi Pocket PC Phone
IBM Lenovo Thinkpad T60 T34 Duo
INFOCUS IN76 Home Theater HD Projector Ceiling Mount
Infocus LP340 DLP/ XGA / HDTV Projector Home Theatre
INOGEN ONE PORTABLE OR STATIONARY OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR
Inspirion XPS Gen 2 Laptop
Intel Core Duo Windows XP
IPC 1027 Vacuum Tube Theater Amplifier Western Electric
italian violin by Guiseppe Soldi, Genova, 1919.
Jacuzzi Premium Spa Hot Tub Loaded with Features
Janome 11000 Embroidery Machine
JBL EON-15 G2 Two Way 15 Powered PA Speakers
JL Audio 12W6v2 12" Subwoofers 12W6 W6v2 NEW 2006
John Deere Lawn Tractor
John Deere 30 Mechanical Roto Tiller for Lawn Tractors
John Deere F935 - Front Mower - 72 Deck
2004 JOHN DEERE 2210 W/LOADER & MOWER
Jura-Capresso Impressa S9 Avantgarde
JVC Everio Camcorder GZ-MG77
JVC Everio GZ-MG505 3-CCD
JVC GR-HD1
JVC GY-DV700W, JVC GY-DV500 COUSIN
Kawasaki JetSki
2000 Kawasaki : Ninja 00 Ninja ZX 900
Kenwood KNA-DV3100 Vehicle Navigation System
Kenwood KVT-717DVD Indash DVD Player, Excelon KVT-715DVD DVD monitor/receiver
KENWOOD P-NAV6019 DDX6019 & KNA-G510 GPS DVD PAKAGE
KIRBY-MORGAN SUPERLITE-37 COMMERCIAL DIVING HELMET
Kirby Morgan - Superlite 17B Commercial Dive Helmet
Klangfilm / Siemens tube mono amplifier rarity
Kodak DCS Pro 14n + Lens + Flash Full Set
Kona Stinky - 2006
Kona Stinky Coiler Primo King Kikapu
Korg Triton Extreme 88 Key Workstation Brand New
KRANK DIMEBAG KRANKENSTEIN AMP AMPLIFIER HEAD LIKE NEW!
Krell KAV 300i Integrated Amplifier
KRELL KPS-20t Transport CD Player
KRELL KSA-50S STEREO AMPLIFIER
Krell KSA-80B Stereo Power Amplifier with Manual
KUBOTA B7610 4X4 W 60 MOWER DECK FRONT LOADER Cutter
KVH Tracvision A5 Land Mobile Satellite TV for RV Car
LA MARZOCCO, 3 HEAD ESPRESSO MACHINE, COFFEE
Lakota horse Aluminum Trailer
Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Trek SL Bicycle
Landice exective L7 treadmill
LaSpaziale Vivaldi S1 Dual Boiler Espresso Machine
LCX-104C Lowrance GPS Fishfinder Sealed BOX
Leica Digital-Modul-R - DMR - Digital Back for R8 or R9
LEICA GEOVID 8 X 42 BRF-Y binoculars
Leica M6 Titan MP M6 M7
Leica m7 Summilux
Leica TCA1100 - 3" Robotic Total Station
LEICA TCRA1205 TOTAL STATION 2006 THEODOLITE EDM
LEICA Trinovid 10 x 42 BA Binoculars
Lenovo IBM Thinkpad X41 Tablet PC
Lenovo ThinkPad R60
Lenovo ThinkPad X41
LeRoi 125 cfm Towable Compressor - John Deere Diesel
LG 50PC1DR 50" Plasma Integrated HDTV & Built-In HD DVR
LG Flatron L2320A
Lincoln Ranger 8 Welder / 8000 Watt Generator
Line 6 Vetta II 2 w/ manual guitar amplifier
Linn Drum Forat F9000 Akai MPC 60 Emu SP1200 2000xl
Linn IKEMI CD Player
LINN KARIK III CD TRANSPORT NUMERIK DA CONVERTER
LINN KLOUT POWER AMPLIFIER 9+ CONDITION
Linn LP12 with Ekos, Arkiv, and Lingo –
LINN SONDEK LP12
LITESPEED FIRENZE bike ULTEGRA BUILD
LOT OF 25 APPLE IPOD NANO
Lot of 50 Apple iPod Nano 4GB, 20 GB, 60 GB
Lot Of 50 APPLE iPod VIDEO 60GB 60 Gb
LOT OF 50 XBOX 360 PREMIUM BUNDLE
LOWRANCE LCX-104c110c111c FISHFINDER GPS
Macbook Black 2.0GHz
Macbook Pro Intel Core Duo 2.0Ghz
Magellan RoadMate 760 Portable GPS Vehicle Navigation
MAMIYA 645 AFD KIT W/ LEAF PRODIGITAL 17WI DIGITAL BACK
marantz model 7 pre-amp model 8 amplifier
Margarita Slush Machine
Marine Generator- 8.5 Westerbeke BTG gasoline.
MARSHALL AMPLIFIER 1973, 100 WATT MKII SUPER LEAD
Mcintosh MC 2300 power amplifier
MCINTOSH MC 602 POWER AMPLIFIER
McIntosh MC2000 Gold Millennium Tuner Player
MCINTOSH MC2205 STEREO POWER AMPLIFIER
Meade 10 inch LX200 GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
Meade 12" LX200 GPS UHTC with SMT technology
MEADE 14" LX200 GPS TELESCOPE W/UHTC
MEADE LX200 EMC 12 TELESCOPE ACCs
Mercedes Audi BMW Rims
Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Guitar Tube Amplifier Head
Mesa Boogie Rect-o-Verb Guitar Tube Amplifier
Miele Coffee and Tea CVA615
Minelab GP 3500 Metal Detector
Mitsubishi 2004 Big Screen Digital 73 inch TV
Moog Voyager Electric
Motorhome Car Trailer Motorcycle lift Stacker Prevost
Motorola Q
Nano ipods brand new Lot Of 50
Nautilus® NS 700 Strength System
NAUTILUS 800 TOP END FLOOR STANDING SPEAKERS
NEW 17" Apple iMac 1.83GHz
New Apple Dual 2.7 Powermac G5 with Final Cut Studio
NEW Apple Macbook Pro 2.16 BEST ON EBAY w APPLECARE!! L
New i-Mate JASJAR 3G WiFi Pocket PC Phone
NEW PIONEER AVIC-Z1 7" IN DASH DVD NAVIGATION 06
New Roland Fantom X8 88 key loaded, with stand
New Swarovski SLC 15 X 56 Green Binoculars
NEW_ACER_TRAVELMATE LAPTOP
Nikon Digital Camera HP Photosmart Printer
Nikon - D2H Digital SLR Camera Set
Nikon Coolpix 8700 8.0 Megapixel
Nikon Coolpix 990 Digital Camera +HP Photosmart Printer
Nikon D2 X Accesories included
Nikon D200 Digital Camera Kit And 18-200 VR Lens
Nikon D2H Digital SLR Camera Coolpix 990
Nikon D50 DSLR EX 17-35mm F2.84 1GB
NIKON D70 Digital SLR Camera Kit with Lens
Nitro 175 Sport Fish N Ski ranger triton stratos
Nokia 8800, N93, N92, N91, N90, N80, N73 N90 N80 N70 N72 N73 E3
Nokia N93 Lot of unlocked cell phones
Nuendo/Steinberg Channel Converter System
One of a kind DM6, no other like it in the world
ONE PAIR OF LINN LK240 POWER AMPLIFIERS
OQO Model 1
Orange mojo freeride downhill mountain bike
Orbea ORDU 54cm full carbon Time Trial bike.
Original McIntosh MC275 stereo tube amplifier
Pace American Bigfoot Stacker Tag Trailer
PALM TREO 700
Panasonic 42 Diagonal HDTV Plasma TV, PT-AE900U PTAE900U WXGA Projector
Panasonic AG-HVX200 3-CCD P2/DVCPRO HD Format Camcorder
Panasonic AG-MX70 Digital AV Mixer AGMX70
Panasonic PT-AE900U PTAE900U WXGA Projector New
Panasonic SV-AV100 Camera
Panasonic TH-42PX50U 42 in. HDTV Plasma Telev
PANASONIC TH-50PX50U 50 Inch Plasma TV with HDTV
Panasonic TH-65PHD7UY 65" HDTV Plasma TV
Panasonic Toughbook 18 Convertible Tablet PC
Pearl Master Drum Set
4 PENN International 30TW Trolling Rod & Reel Combos
5 Penn International combos 3 - 50W's and 2 - 50's-Lews
Pfaff Embroidery Machine 2170
Philips 23PF8946/37 LCD TV HDTV Flat Panel Monitor
PIONEER AVH-P7500 IN-DASH DVD TOUCH SCREEN
Pioneer Avic N1, Avic N2, Avic N3
Pioneer Avic X1 Car DVD/ GPS Navigation n1
Pioneer Avic X1, AVIC-X1BT, AVIC-HD1BT
Pioneer AVIC-D2 In-Dash
PIONEER AVIC-N1, AVIC N-2, AVIC N-3 AVIC-Z1, CD Player, INNO PORTABLE XM SATELLITE RADIO
2X Pioneer CDJ-1000 CDJ1000 MK2 DJ CD Player
2xPIONEER CDJ 1000 Mk2 & PIONEER DJ 909 Mixer
Pioneer DJ System
PIONEER DVD Touch Screen, AVH-P7500 AVIC-N1AVIC N-2AVIC N-3 AVIC-X1BT, AVIC-HD1BT
PIONEER PDP-614MX PLASMA HD TELEVISION; PDP614MX CDJ
Pioneer SX-1980 VSX-59TXI A/V VSX-74T Elite VSX-84TXSi RECEIVER
Planet Eclipse NeXus Ego 06 Dark Trooper
Polaris Twin ATV
PowerMac G5 Dual 2.7 GHZ 512 MB 250 GB HD Power Mac
Precor 556 EFX Elliptical Cross Trainer
PRECOR EFX 5.23 ELLIPTICAL
prismatic 10x65 Z-series Sniper Rifle Scope ATN
Proceed/Mark Levinson HPA2 Amplifier
Proto 2006 Matrix PM6 Marker
PVS-14 ITT NIGHT VISION MONOCULAR WITH GAIN CONTROL
Quad II Two tube Power Amplifiers, Mono Pair, Excellent!
RACECOACH CUSTOM TRAILER
Ranger 18 1/2ft. Bass Sport Boat W/Extras Mercury 225 Optimax R71 Bass Fishing Boat
Raymarine A65 GPS E120
RCA 52 HDTV hd52w59 clear as lcd and plasma
Roland Fantom X8 88, Jupiter 6 JP6 JP-6 Vintage Analog Synthesizer rs-5 64 Voice
Roland Fantom X8 Keyboard 88 Keys
Roland PC-600 PC-60 SP-300 SC-500 Printer, Cutter, Ploter
Roland Soljet SC-500 Printer/Cutter
ROLAND V DRUM ELECTRONIC DRUM SET W TD-8 MODULE
Roland V-Pro Electronic Drum Set(TD20)
Roland VS 2480 Digital Workstation MV-8000 VS 2000
Samsung LN-S4692D LCD HDTV w/ ATSC tuner
SANTA CRUZ HECKLER XL MINT-FOX TALAS FORXS
2003 Screamin' Eagle Road King Gold and Black Touring
Selmer Mark V1 Alto Saxophone, 1956, Silver plated
SHARP AQUOS LC-65D90U 65 in LCD Television TV
Sharp LC-45GD6U AQUOS Flat-Panel LCD TV
Sharp XV-Z12000 Factory Sealed DLP Projector
SIGMA AF 800
Singer Quantum XL-6000 Embroidery Sew Machine XL 500
SKEETER ZX20 SALTWATER BAY BOAT, BASS
Sonus Faber Cremona Speakers in Maple
Sony - DSC-M2 Cybershot Digital Camera
SONY AIBO ERS-7 Entertainment Robot
Sony AIBO ERS-7M3 BVP-90 3CCD Broadcast Camera DMX R100 Digital Audio Mixing Console Mixer
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1
Sony DMX R100 Digital Audio Mixing Console Mixer
Sony DSR-500WS DVCAM Professional Video Camcorder+Lens!
Sony Ericsson W900, W900i, W800, P990, K800, K750
SONY HANDYCAM CAMCORDER MiniDV Camera
SONY HANDYCAM HDR FX1 E HD CAMCORDER
SONY HDR-FX1 HDV HANDYCAM CAMCORDER
Sony KDFE A 10 42, WEGA KDE-50XS955 HDTV Plasma TV
SONY KE-50 XBR 900 WEGA 50 STR-DA9000ES ES AV Receiver
Sony Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1, DSR PD-150 P 3CCD DV Digital Camcorder
Sony vaio VGN-A297XP CENTR 1.8Ghz 17.1" DVD writer
Sony Vaio VGN-FJ270 Notebook
Sony VAIO VGN-TX650P/B 11.1" Laptop Notebook
Sony WEGA KDE-50XS955 50" HDTV Plasma TV
Specialized Tarmac road bike
SPM ID2.2 2 Bowl Granita Frozen Drink Slush Machine
Spyder Series 300 mw
Standel 25L15 Vintage Plus Combo Amplifier Amp
Star Trac Pro Treadmill
2004 Super Z Hustler Mower 158 hrs
2000 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX 1300 R
SWAROVSKI BINOCULARS 8 x 56 SLC
Swarovski Binoculars 8.5X42 EL
Swarovski SLC 10x42 Binoculars
Technics SL-DZ1200 Turntables
Ten-Tec Ham Radio Amplifier
TomTom Go 700 portable GPS Navigation system
TomTom GO 910 Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator
Toshiba G35-AV650 Media-Center Notebook
Toyota Supra 1997 Toyota Supra Turbo
Trek SL Brand New Project One 2006 5000 TCT ROAD BIKE
Trimble Geodimeter Robotic Total Station
Troy-Bilt Big Red Tiller Briggs Electric
Tube sound with solid state power
Tube type Amp From The 1960's
TUNTURI T90 TREADMILL
Unique, high-end stereo
Used Drager Uwatec Dophin Semi Closed Rebreather
Vertu Ascent Brown Leather Phone
very fine old Cello "Viola, Violin"
VHT PITTBULL Amplifier Super 30 1-12 Tube Combo Amp LE
VIKING DUAL FUEL RANGE
VIKING SE EMBROIDERY SEWING MACHINE
VINTAGE 1958 GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM PAFs
VINTAGE FENDER TWEED 5E3 DELUXE AMPLIFIER
Vintage Original 1949 Gibson GA50 T Amplifier
Vintage Sunn Model T guitar bass amp amplifier 1975
Vintage Supro Model 24 guitar or harmonica amplifier
Violin - Fine Silvestre
Vox AC30 - 1960's - Amplifier
West Labs 200 watt amp Fillmore amplifier
WINDOWS, OFFICE, ALL DISKS AND KEY CODES, SUPERDRIVE
Wolverine 4x4 Four Wheeler
50 x Microsoft Xbox 360 Premium Edition w TONS EXTRAS
XBOX 360 PLATINUM 15 GAMES
Xbox 360 Premium Edition System, Game Console Bundle
XBox DVX 80, Apple Powerbook G4
Yaesu FL-7000 Linear Amplifier 1.2 KW
Yamaha Clavinova CVP-210, DT-EXPRESS electronic DRUM SET
2005 Yamaha YZF
Yamaha EX5-R
Yamaha Ltd Ed Raptor 660R
Yamaha Motif ES6 Keyboard
Yamaha PSR3000 Workstation Keyboard Piano
Yamaha Tyros2 Keyboard
Zeiss Diascope 85mm Angled Spotting Scope
Zeiss Victory FL Binoculars
Zeta Jazz Fusion Electric Violin

A Prayer for your Protection:
Psalm 17:7: Lord...Your love is wonderful,
By your power you save those who trust you
from their enemies.
Protect me as you would protect your own eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.
Keep me from the wicked who attack me...