There is always a level of concern about receiving payment, especially in cases where a buyer requests that you dispatch internationally. Here are some guidelines on how to avoid and deal with fraudulent payments.

Due to the high potential for fraud, eBay policy does not permit the solicitation of sales outside the eBay online marketplace. Note: Transactions conducted outside the online marketplace are not eligible for eBay services including Feedback and contact information requests.

• Review the policies of the service used to receive payment to determine if fraud protection is provided to sellers.
  For example, PayPal offers protection to sellers if the item is dispatched following the guidelines outlined in their Seller Protection Policy (see PayPal Protection Tips for Sellers)

• For high-priced items, you should consider using an escrow service.

• Make sure that payment has been received and confirmed before you post the item. If the buyer uses a credit card, contact the card issuer and verify that the name on the card matches both the postage information and contact information. If there is any doubt regarding the identity of the buyer, please contact the credit card company to validate payment before posting the item.

• In the event that the buyer sends payment that is found to be fraudulent, contact your local Police. We will fully cooperate with all Police enquiries. If payment is reversed, stopped or cannot be received, you should also contact the payment issuer (credit card company, issuing bank, Pay Pal etc.) to review the options available to you.

• If you have reason to believe that the buyer paid or is attempting to pay with fraudulent funds, contact eBay so that we can investigate and take appropriate action.

Contact eBay to report a buyer who paid or attempted to pay with a stolen credit card.

Contact eBay to report a buyer who sent an online or credit card payment that was denied, withheld or not received after you posted the item.

Contact eBay to report a buyer who sent a cheque or postal order that could not be cashed.

If you have already sent the item and have not been able to receive payment, please review the Defrauded Seller page for steps you can take.

If you're unable to receive payment, you may also be able to request a Final Value Fee credit by filing an Unpaid Item Dispute.

How to Recognise a Counterfeit Cheque Scheme

• A seller of a high-priced item receives a request often from a foreign bidder (for example, from Africa) to accept a foreign cheque as payment or deposit for the item.

• The foreign cheque amount far exceeds the value of the item being sold.

• Buyer asks the seller to send them the excess via instant cash wire transfer service (through Western Union or MoneyGram).

The problem is that the Banker's Draft is most likely fraudulent and it can often take weeks or even months for the seller's bank to know if a cheque is real. Some cheques may appear to be from a UK or Irish bank. However, upon closer inspection, it includes foreign country or city names.

If the cheque is fraudulent, the seller is held responsible.

N ever accept overpayments from buyers for items where the buyer asks you to reimburse the amount overpaid.