Online Fraud: Advice for Buyers and Sellers Common Sense Tips

OUR POLICY: Boatloco.com will never ask you for sensitive personal information such as passwords, bank account or credit card numbers, PINs, or Social Security numbers via e-mail. Do not supply financially sensitive information to a suspicious person or site.

Rule number one-use common sense. If an advertisement looks too good to be true, it probably is. Research the market value of all potential purchases, use our site and other reputable sources to compare pricing. Boats & Merchandise offered below market value should be carefully evaluated.

The best protection from fraud is knowledge. Here are some tips to assist you in safe online transactions.

Delivery of Merchandise

• * Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.


• * Obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.


• * Send the seller an e-mail to see if they have an active email address and be wary of sellers who use free email services where a credit card wasn't required to open the account.


• * Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information


• * Caution is required when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited email).


• * Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.


• * Purchase items via the Internet by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong.


• * Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.


• * Consider utilizing an escrow or alternate payment service, especially on large purchase, most boat loan companies will provide a controlled exchange of funds that will protect both buyer and seller.


• * When buying a Boat or Yacht always know who you are dealing with and inspect or have the unit inspected by a professional, before completing transaction.