If your going to be buying and selling items online then the first place to start is by educating yourself. Learn the trading tips and advice in buying and selling online. Learn what to watch out for so you will be more aware and recognize more easily when someone is using tactics that are questionable at the least. Knowing about some of these scams and taking the time to do research before purchasing any item(s) and asking questions can help you avoid being the victim of a scam.

TrollHunters.com (http://www.trollhunters.com) is a place where traders can get assistance regarding questionable or slow trades, bad trades and trading advice along with who to contact for help. TRADING ADVICE & TIPS (http://www.pcabusers.net/advice.html) on their website has some goods tips & advice you should read.

- Always check sellers evals at Heatware (www.heatware.com) & Beerology (www.beerology.com/ars) and

- Check the BBB = Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org and
Resellerratings (http://www.resellerratings.com/).

- CRAIGSLIST - SCAMS & FRAUDS (http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html)
(See website for more information)

distant seller requests payment via Western Union or MoneyGram:
-seller often claims that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before he can withdraw your money - this is FALSE, once you've wired money, it is GONE.
-common items currently: laptops, plasma TVs, cell phones, tickets - but could be almost anything (Added Note: Including iPods since they have become so popular now).
-common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere
-deal often seems too good to be true.

distant seller suggests use of an online escrow service.
-most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers
-for more info, do a google search on "fake escrow" or "escrow fraud"
-if you must do business with a distant seller, insist on a legitimate service, such as www.escrow.com

distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship goods
-he says he trusts you with the partial payment
-he may say he has already shipped the goods
-deal often sounds too good to be true

More site you can see for helpful information:

- FIGHT IDENTITY THEFT (http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/sucker.html) has some good information on their site.

- Scam Links (http://www.scambusters.org/scamlinks.html) (What to do before & after it happens to you)

- Google "Western Union Scams" (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=western+union+scams&btnG=Search) for more reading information.

- Top Five Online Scams (http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119941,00.asp) - article by Dan Tynan of PC Magazine.

-A list of the sites to contact to file a complaint and report the scammer:

~ INTERNET FRAUD (http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/general.htm) -
If you need advice about an Internet or telemarketing solicitation, or you want to report a possible scam, use the Online Reporting Form (http://www.fraud.org/info/repoform.htm) or call the NFIC hotline at 1-800-876-7060.

~TrollHunters, IFCCFBI, (http://www.ifccfbi.com/);

~Internet Crime (http://www.ic3.gov/);

~Fraud.org, (http://www.fraud.org/internet/intinfo.htm);

~USPS - Fraud Complaint, United States Postal Service Inspectors Mail Fraud Complaint (http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm)

~PayPal - File a claim with PayPal (http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/fraud-prevention-outside) if payment was made using a PayPal account.

Listing or "Traders To Avoid" (http://www.pcabusers.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5254) and the Reselleratings scammers list. (http://www.resellerratings.com/forum/t17.html)

Fraudwatchers.org
http://fraudwatchers.org/forums/index.php