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"Come to think of it", eBay Lifted the Heineken Advertising Slogan

"Come to think of it", eBay Lifted the Heineken Advertising Slogan
2 November 2009
EventHorizon1984

It's been a long time since we've heard the phrase "Come to think of it".  Not the "new" eBay ads flooding the market with "Come to think of it, eBay."  But the Heineken slogan noted by Lucious Van Der Kreig on Auctionbytes."

"Come to think of it,
I'll have a Heineken."

Founded in 1864 by Gerard Adriaan Heineken, Heineken is "Europe's largest brewery."

Perhaps ironically you can find this 1986 color advertisement, "COME TO THINK OF IT ~ I'LL HAVE A HEINEKEN! 1986 AD" for sale by seller Woods_Elf on eBay.

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"If there is something to steal, I steal it."
Pablo Picasso

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Addendum
4 November 2009

A little extra digging turned up this gem.

ADVERTISING; SSC&B Campaign For Heineken to Begin
The New York Times
Philip H. Dougherty
May 26, 1981

"The first ad campaign for Heineken beer from SSC&B will begin to run in magazines next month. The ads will be big pictures of frosty, beaded bottles and glasses of the No. 1-selling import with the simple quote in smallish type, ''Come to think of it, I'll have a Heineken,''.

The rest of the very very short article states the initial advertising budget was $12 million.  Adjusted for inflation that would be about $28 million now.

One wonders how much eBay spent to copy an existing successful advertisement.

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Addendum
6 November 2009

Yes, at this point we're merely having fun.  After all eBay and it's compensated representatives are now spinning "Come to think of it" is a common idiom and essentially free for the taking.

Anyone know the name Mal MacDougall?

Mal MacDougall On the Spot
Adweek
Deanna Zammit
October 6 2003

"Along the way he introduced Diet Coke with the tag, "Just for the taste of it," and coined Heineken's "Come to think of it, I'll have a Heineken."

Here's to you Mr. Mal "Come to think of it, I'll have a Heineken" MacDougall.

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"I'm never surprised when the gods of advertising remind me once again that there is nothing permanent in the business but change."
Mal MacDougall

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eBay Developer Important Security Update - Oh Please!

eBay Developer Important Security Update - Oh Please!
10 August 2009
EventHorizon1984

 

In the article "Passwords compromised for eBay developers," Chris Dawson of TameBay wrote:

• "eBay have identified a possible security flaw and are requiring all developers update their passwords."
• "The developer blog reports that eBay have recently identified a means by which someone could have" "gained access to eBay Developers Program account information."

We're not surprised this happened.  The surprise is eBay in public admitting a "security flaw".

The equivalent of code monkey felgercarb can be found in this security announcement from the eBay Developers Program blog, regarding the "possible security flaw":

Important Security Update: developer.ebay.com
Posted by Laurel Kline in Critical Notes from Tech Support, Business News & Developer Website
Monday, Aug.10.2009, 3:06 PM PT

This is Kumar Kandaswamy, and I manage the eBay Developers Program. I'd like you to read this important message about account safety.

The safety and security of the eBay Developers Program is a top priority. While we believe that people are basically good, we also must live with the reality that there are fraudsters out there who have made it their illicit "profession" to find ways to exploit others on the Internet.

Occasionally, fraudsters attempt to gain unauthorized access to the eBay Developers Program. eBay has recently identified a means by which someone could gain access to eBay Developers Program account information. This type of access DOES NOT allow the capture of financial or other sensitive information, such as credit card or bank account information or Social Security numbers.  Fortunately, we have not detected any unusual activity with any Developer account.

Out of an abundance of caution and to help ensure the security of the eBay Developers Program, we are requiring that all developers take the following steps:

• Take advantage of our new, stricter password standards and change your eBay Developers Program (developer.ebay.com) passwords. It is not necessary to change eBay (www.ebay.com) passwords.

If you believe you or your customers have been the victim of fraudulent activity, contact us immediately at developer-relations@ebay.com.

Sincerely,
Kumar Kandaswamy

There's much unintentional eBay humor with the statement from Kumar Kandaswamy that "safety and security of the eBay Developers Program is a top priority."  Because historically that has not been the case.

Follow us.

Once upon a time Sergiu Daniel Popa was brought to the attention of the public by Dan Browning of the Star Tribune.  As reported in his article "Suspect in 'phishing' scheme indicted":

• "A Romanian immigrant was indicted Tuesday in federal court in Minneapolis on charges that he operated a computerized "phishing" scheme for several years that raked in financial records and personal identification from thousands of individuals"
• "Sergiu Daniel Popa, 20, of Shelby Township, Mich., was indicted on three counts"

Days later there would be a post about the article on the eBay Stores Forum. This was followed quickly by eBay user ID spopa2006 stating, "Listen guys. I am Sergiu D. Popa. I am that horrible guy!" and "I will make your life a hell."  And much much more.

When this activity and background was reported to eBay, their reponse was to delete the spopa2006 posts.  He was able to keep his eBay account active.  If you look quickly, you can view his Feedback Profile as of 11 August 2009 01:07 GMT.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

This all would be rather uninteresting save for the fact that spopa2006 was a poster on the eBay Developer forums:

• "Hey there. I wrote a similar project in C++ by using pointers. However, the implemented network interface i used in C++ is no longer supported and I am not a C# guru as I am in c++. Tell me whether or not you got your solution. You can email me at gam30v3r2007@yahoo.com"

The activities of a registered eBay Developer.  You know the ones who work on the software that eBay buyers and sellers use.

Feeling that "safety and security" yet?

Oh, and did we forget to mention that this took place in 2007?  For those interested we kept the details in a June 2007 article, Sergiu D. Popa Response To Dan Browning Star Tribune Article.

Well there is innocent unless proven guilty.

BAMM!!  But wait, there's more.

In October 2008 Dan Goodin followed up with "Romanian national cops to $700,000 phishing trip":

• "Who's your underworld Popa?"
• "22-year-old Romanian national has admitted he participated in a US-based phishing operation that raked in some $700,000 over a three-year period."
• "Sergiu Daniel Popa, who for the past seven years has lived in New York and Michigan, pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis to two felonies related to the scheme. He faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of $500,000."
• "FBI agents began their investigation of Popa in early 2005."

Kumar Kandaswamy is crowing about protection from "fraudsters attempt to gain unauthorized access to the eBay Developers Program", but described here is a convicted hacker who eBay gave Developer Program access?

With spopa2006's regular eBay account active, you have to wonder if his Developer Program access remains active.  And if he gave others access to his account, during his extended absence.

Kumar Kandaswamy said, "we have not detected any unusual activity with any Developer account".

Oh, Please!

How many times does a warning have to be given to eBay before someone listens?

And given the lax vetting process, one really has to wonder if there are other "Popa's" signed up to the Developer Program?

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"So, people hire you to break into their places... to make sure no one can break into their places?"
"It's a living."  Martin Bishop, Sneakers (1992)

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The eBay Weed of the Day

The eBay Weed of the Day
16 July 2009
EventHorizon1984

In the article 'TripAdvisor Warns Of Hotels Posting Fake Reviews' author Melissa Trujillo reported one company "has been quietly posting disclaimers to warn customers of hotels writing fake reviews to improve their popularity rankings or hurt competitors".

This is a common problem. As referenced in the article:

• "Apple required that consumers purchase or download an application before they can review it online in the App Store"
• "A plastic surgery company, Lifestyle Lift Inc., agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve an investigation into positive online reviews written by employees, the New York attorney general announced Tuesday"
• "travel industry insiders — but often not casual travelers — understand the financial incentives hotels have to artificially inflate their rankings on the site. Some offer discounts or freebies to patrons who write positive reviews or hire public relations companies who say they can improve the reviews"

Common and widespread to the extent that the U.S. FTC (Federal Trade Commission) wrote the FTC GUIDES CONCERNING USE OF ENDORSEMENTS AND TESTIMONIALS IN ADVERTISING in 1975 and 1980.

Very briefly that Guide requires companies to identify themselves when commenting on their products. And people making comments about a product, that a company shows to the public, must be independent of the company. Or the person or company must provide to the public their relationship.

This Federal Guide apparently is so abused that the "Federal Trade Commission is revising guidelines on testimonials and endorsements to reflect the growth of online marketing".

Which brings us to what is a "Weed"?

We use the term "Weed" to describe people paid to post. The term derives from how these individuals are viewed. For example the featured article notes, "company has policies to weed out suspicious reviews".

A Wall Street Journal poster provided a partial description of the tactics an eBay Weed employs. This edited version is similar to PowerPoint discussion points given by public relations companies to writers.

1. Blame the messenger.
2. Attack the messenger or message.
3. Downplay the message.
4. Twist what the messenger is trying to say.
5. Spin everything positive for Ebay

6. Never blame Ebay for anything
7. Tell users to go elsewhere if they don’t like it

For the Weeds that will use some of those tactics on this article, tell your supervisor to study a little history. Or actually read the various Public Relations text books. Some of us did.

Philip Morris Public Relations 1992:

• Change the focus of the issue
• Explore and exploit the opposition's weaknesses
• Investigate legal challenges to opposition efforts
• Develop alliances with other groups being attacked by the opposition
• Begin large-scale program of journalism education (focusing on accuracy, accountability, objectivity, etc.)
• Become a source of information and expertise

The above combined checklists sounds familiar doesn't it?

One persona missing from the public relations tactics is the 'friend'. A theatrical example is Security Officer Price from the film Stalag 17 (1953). This personae and it's subtypes are the hardest to detect, and we'll leave that for a future article.

Which brings us to the eBay Weed of the Day.

Disclaimer: We are commenting on individual(s) associated with the following posts, who may have attempted to influence public opinion through methods unsanctioned by the FTC. This opinion should not be taken as fact, and the reader should form their own unbiased opinion.

This part of a recent post was made on a recent article involving eBay.

• #1  "Some people just can't handle change or changing markets. A handful of people have been complaining for more than a year now (mostly the same ones on every blog they can find in a day); they need to learn to move on."

Interestingly months earlier the following comment was made on a different article by another independent voice.

• #2  "if you take out the 10 or 15 most vocal anti-eBay people blogging all over the place (sometimes with different names as well), you realize that the noise is pretty low if noticeable at all. Life goes on, adapt or die.

To be obvious:

1. "Some people just can't handle change or changing markets"
2. "adapt or die"

1. "they need to learn to move on"
2. "Life goes on"

1. "A handful of people have been complaining for more than a year now"
2. "if you take out the 10 or 15 most vocal anti-eBay people"

1. "(mostly the same ones on every blog they can find in a day)"
2. " blogging all over the place (sometimes with different names as well)"

The dissimilar writing styles 'sound' like two separate writers. Which begs the questions. Two different people stating near identical talking points months apart?  Down to the parenthesis; "(", ")"?

We leave you with this thought. Those are not the only examples.

"Sure. Fine. Whatever."
Dana Scully, X-Files (Syzygy)

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The eBay PayPal 10% Hold Solution

The eBay PayPal 10% Hold Solution
25 June 2009
EventHorizon1984

See also

• The eBay PayPal 5% Hold Solution
• The eBay PayPal 20% Hold Solution
• eBay Seller Forum: New PayPal 60-Day Payment Holding
• TameBay: PayPal reserves: here's what's really happening
• Red Ink Diary: PayPal Rolling Reserves - Straight Talk

The eBay/PayPal legal/financial team was busy at work implementing the new and improved 10% hold policy.  Where PayPal holds 10% of PayPal payments made to sellers.

The dunning template (we edited in the Fill In The Category) letter sent out on June 23rd reads:

Your business is important to us, and we are working hard to provide an easy, fast and secure payment service to you and your customers while keeping our prices competitive. We're also committed to clearly communicating changes to our policies and procedures. To that end, we are writing to inform you of a change to your PayPal account, which will take effect 30 days from the date of this email.

Beginning 07/23/2009, a small percentage of the total payments you receive will be held temporarily as a reserve in your account. This small reserve amount helps to ensure that funds are available to cover payment reversals or buyer chargebacks, if you do not have a sufficient PayPal account balance and do not provide the funds to do so.

A reserve is like a security deposit for your PayPal account and is standard practice in the payments industry, especially for retail segments like Fill In The Category where there is a higher-than-average risk of reversals or chargebacks. This does not mean that you have done anything wrong. We are requiring a small reserve in your account because you sell in a category that has a higher risk of reversals and chargebacks and because you are relatively new to PayPal as a seller.

Your reserve amount will be 10% of the total payments you receive, which will be held on a rolling 60-day schedule. That means 10% of the money you take in each day will be held in your account, and then made available for withdrawal 60 days later.

For example, if you receive $2,000 every 60 days into your PayPal account, then a reserve amount of about $400 would be required on a rolling 60-day period. In other words, about $6.67 would be held in reserve each day, then released 60 days later.

If you are a PayPal Money Market Fund customer, you will still earn interest on your total balance while your money is in reserve. Click here for more information or to enroll in the PayPal Money Market Fund.

We recognize this is a change in the way we do business with you. By requiring some merchants to reserve money in their accounts, we're able to lower our own costs. Keeping our costs low helps us to continue providing competitive pricing for all sellers who use PayPal.

If you have any questions about this change, please call us at 1-877-729-7252. We appreciate your business and look forward to a continued partnership.

Sincerely,

PayPal

According to orange_cape_hides_me the Fill In The Category covers:

• "purses, clothing & fashion accessories
• books
• industrial
• motor parts
• games, toys (aver. price $25.00 or less)
• stamps
• fabric
• pool supplies
• and pet supplies"

According to PayPal:

• "We're requiring reserves for a very small percentage of our sellers - currently less than 1%"
• Bill Clark, PayPal Risk Team Analyst

The end of second quarter (June 30) looming for eBay and PayPal, explains the timing of the 10% hold policy.  Essentially new financial quarter, new revenue.  The why hold at all can be found in knowing what the "1%" represents.

Using numbers from eBay's SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) filing, 23 October 2008 10-Q Quarterly Report  Form 10-Q, the following is the worse case (for sellers or best case for eBay/PayPay) calculation of "1%" per quarter.

• Active eBay users affected:  830,000
• Active registered PayPal accounts affected:  548,000
• Net total payment volume, HELD:  $115,690,000

PayPal's revenue in this case would be the interest on the $115 million per quarter, or $450 million per year.  Plus incidental fees.

As we've noted on previous occasions, this is what eBay/PayPal considers to be "small."

"Keep On With The Force Don't Stop
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
Released 1979, Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

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PayPal Has Never Been Compromised?

PayPal Has Never Been Compromised?
15 June 2009
EventHorizon1984
Commentary

It's always interesting when PayPal quantifies what they mean by "low". 

According to PayPal, in the WBBM article Suburban Cop Becomes PayPal ID Theft Victim, their fraud rate is 1/3 of 1%.

• "We have a really low rate of fraud, only one-third of 1 percent"
• Charlotte Hill, PayPal

Let's use numbers from eBay's U.S. SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) filing, 23 October 2008 10-Q Quarter Report, and see what "one-third of 1 percent" represents.

The worse case amount for PayPal fraud in one year (not one quarter) at "one-third of 1 percent":

• Gross merchandise volume Fraud Committed:  $191,933,000
• Net total payment volume Fraud Committed:  $154,253,000

We suppose it's good to know that when PayPal says "low" they mean in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Incidentally, about this PayPal PR statement made in the same article:

• "The PayPal system has never been compromised since its inception"
• PayPal Customer Service

Read the recent article PayPal's security 'flawed' for one out of many PayPal security issues.

"One of the reasons we are safer"
Charlotte Hill, PayPal

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Philly.com - Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty In eBay Forgery Scheme

Philly.com - Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty In eBay Forgery Scheme
20 May 2009
EventHorizon1984
Commentary

It's a rather standard commentary that most "authentic" autographs on eBay are fake; i.e. forgery on eBay is not news.

What personally grabbed attention were two things.  One, have some of these autographs, which were obtained free or for the cost of a book.  Authentication by standing in front of the author while they signed the book.  Second have some knowledge of 'rubber' stamping.

• Hint to forgers:  Some signatures are in PENCIL.

If you collect enough autographs, a well done ink stamp signature when examined closely looks perfect and fake.

With "400 unsuspecting purchasers" of these forgeries, I have to suspect that most thought those fakes were real.

To those who weren't fooled and filed charges, good for you.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."
Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, Star Trek

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Full article at:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/20090520_Pa__man_pleads_guilty_in_eBay_forgery_scheme.html

Posted on Wed, May. 20, 2009
Pa. man pleads guilty in eBay forgery scheme
Robert Moran

"A Reading man pleaded guilty yesterday to a scheme to sell forged signatures of famous authors - including Truman Capote, Tom Wolfe, and Tom Clancy - over eBay that netted him more than $300,000"

{Forrest R.} "Smith obtained documents that contained authentic signatures and had ink-based stamps made for each signature, Magid said. The signatures were then stamped into the books, which he later sold at inflated prices on eBay. The indictment alleged that, since December 2006, Smith sold the books to more than 400 unsuspecting purchasers, and made more than $300,000."

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How To Guide - FTC Guides Concerning Use Of Endorsements And Testimonials In Advertising

How To Guide - FTC Guides Concerning Use Of Endorsements And Testimonials In Advertising
18 May 2009
EventHorizon1984
Commentary

This comment isn't really about the material violations made by certain corporations and their paid shills.  Although we're including the link and text, because eBay spams the Internet with these eBay blogs and associated keywords. And we like to help them along.

Today's lesson, so to speak, is what we've noticed in the actual online FTC complaint process. 

If you don't feel like writing an actual letter and mailing it (http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/cmplanding.shtm), here's the link to the online complaint form.

FTC Complaint Assistant
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

What do we see first?

Step 1: Let's Get Started
Is your complaint concerning identity theft?
( ) Yes
( ) No

For this example, select "No".

Is your complaint most closely related to:
( ) Debt collectors or debt collection practices
( ) Credit Reports
( ) Dissatisfaction with other business practices

You get to the interesting part when you select "Dissatisfaction".

What kind of company are you complaining about?

Automobile
Business Opportunities
Home Furnishings/Repair
Internet
Lending Financial / Services
Lottery of Sweepstakes
Telephone/Cable
Work-related
Other

Want to hazard a guess as to what choices you get when "Internet" is selected?

Auctions
Internet Service Provider
Spyware/Computer Viruses
Web Design Services
Other Internet Practices

Auctions
Internet Service Provider
Spyware/Computer Viruses
Web Design Services
Other Internet Practices

It is truly amazing at the amount of Federal attention the "Internet" "Auctions" business has garnered recently.  Think the FTC is referring to eBay here?  Or perhaps eBay's paid and undisclosed speakers?

Unless some "Internet" "Auctions" business plans to spin this as 'Auctions means Amazon too'.

In case you're wondering.  Yes, there's more to the form.  Yes, we are doing some spring cleaning bulk filings.  Don't need this type of distraction and "noise" during the summer.

And you may be asking too, does this go anywhere?  Based on past history, see our end quote.

"Oooh That's Gotta Hurt!"
Ash (Bruce Campbell), Army of Darkness (1992)
http://www.geocities.com/evildeadpage/gotahurt.wav

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http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/endorse.htm

FTC GUIDES CONCERNING USE OF
ENDORSEMENTS AND TESTIMONIALS IN ADVERTISING

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Sec.255.0 255.1 255.2 255.3 255.4 255.5

Definitions. General considerations. Consumer endorsements Expert endorsements. Endorsements by organizations. Disclosure of material connections.

Authority: 38 Stat. 717, as amended; 15 U.S.C. 41 - 58.

§255.0 Definitions.

(a) The Commission intends to treat endorsements and testimonials identically in the context of its enforcement of the Federal Trade Commission Act and for purposes of this part. The term endorsements is therefore generally used hereinafter to cover both terms and situations.

(b) For purposes of this part, an endorsement means any advertising message (including verbal statements, demonstrations, or depictions of the name, signature, likeness or other identifying personal characteristics of an individual or the name or seal of an organization) which message consumers are likely to believe reflects the opinions, beliefs, findings, or experience of a party other than the sponsoring advertiser. The party whose opinions, beliefs, findings, or experience the message appears to reflect will be called the endorser and may be an individual, group or institution.

(c) For purposes of this part, the term product includes any product, service, company or industry.

(d) For purposes of this part, an expert is an individual, group or institution possessing, as a result of experience, study or training, knowledge of a particular subject, which knowledge is superior to that generally acquired by ordinary individuals.

Example 1: A film critic's review of a movie is excerpted in an advertisement. When so used, the review meets the definition of an endorsement since it is viewed by readers as a statement of the critic's own opinions and not those of the film producer, distributor or exhibitor. Therefore, any alteration in or quotation from the text of the review which does not fairly reflect its substance would be a violation of the standards set by this part.

 

Example 2: A TV commercial depicts two women in a supermarket buying a laundry detergent. The women are not identified outside the context of the advertisement. One comments to the other how clean her brand makes her family's clothes, and the other then comments that she will try it because she has not been fully satisfied with her own brand. This obvious fictional dramatization of a real life situation would not be an endorsement.

 

Example 3: In an advertisement for a pain remedy, an announcer who is not familiar to consumers except as a spokesman for the advertising drug company praises the drug's ability to deliver fast and lasting pain relief. He purports to speak, not on the basis of his own opinions, but rather in the place of and on behalf of the drug company. Such an advertisement would not be an endorsement.

 

Example 4: A manufacturer of automobile tires hires a well known professional automobile racing driver to deliver its advertising message in television commercials. In these commercials, the driver speaks of the smooth ride, strength, and long life of the tires. Even though the message is not expressly declared to be the personal opinion of the driver, it may nevertheless constitute an endorsement of the tires. Many consumers will recognize this individual as being primarily a racing driver and not merely a spokesman or announcer for the advertiser. Accordingly, they may well believe the driver would not speak for an automotive product unless he/she actually believed in what he/she was saying and had personal knowledge sufficient to form that belief. Hence they would think that the advertising message reflects the driver's personal views as well as those of the sponsoring advertiser. This attribution of the underlying views to the driver brings the advertisement within the definition of an endorsement for purposes of this part.

 

Example 5: A television advertisement for golf balls shows a prominent and well-recognized professional golfer hitting the golf balls. This would be an endorsement by the golfer even though he makes no verbal statement in the advertisement.

[40 FR 22128, May 21, 1975, as amended at 45 FR 3872, Jan. 18, 1980]

§255.1 General considerations.

(a) Endorsements must always reflect the honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experience of the endorser. Furthermore, they may not contain any representations which would be deceptive, or could not be substantiated if made directly by the advertiser. [See Example 2 to Guide 3 (§255.3) illustrating that a valid endorsement may constitute all or part of an advertiser's substantiation.]

(b) The endorsement message need not be phrased in the exact words of the endorser, unless the advertisement affirmatively so represents. However, the endorsement may neither be presented out of context nor reworded so as to distort in any way the endorser's opinion or experience with the product. An advertiser may use an endorsement of an expert or celebrity only as long as it has good reason to believe that the endorser continues to subscribe to the views presented. An advertiser may satisfy this obligation by securing the endorser's views at reasonable intervals where reasonableness will be determined by such factors as new information on the performance or effectiveness of the product, a material alteration in the product, changes in the performance of competitors' products, and the advertiser's contract commitments.

(c) In particular, where the advertisement represents that the endorser uses the endorsed product, then the endorser must have been a bona fide user of it at the time the endorsement was given, Additionally, the advertiser may continue to run the advertisement only so long as he has good reason to believe that the endorser remains a bona fide user of the product. [See §255.1(b) regarding the ``good reason to believe'' requirement.]

Guide 1, Example 1: A building contractor states in an advertisement that he specifies the advertiser's exterior house paint because of its remarkable quick drying properties and its durability. This endorsement must comply with the pertinent requirements of Guide 3. Subsequently, the advertiser reformulates its paint to enable it to cover exterior surfaces with only one coat. Prior to continued use of the contractor's endorsement, the advertiser must contact the contractor in order to determine whether the contractor would continue to specify the paint and to subscribe to the views presented previously.

 

Example 2: A television advertisement portrays a woman seated at a desk on which rest five unmarked electric typewriters. An announcer says ``We asked Mrs. X, an executive secretary for over ten years, to try these five unmarked typewriters and tell us which one she liked best.''

 

The advertisement portrays the secretary typing on each machine, and then picking the advertiser's brand. The announcer asks her why, and Mrs. X gives her reasons. Assuming that consumers would perceive this presentation as a ``blind'' test, this endorsement would probably not represent that Mrs. X actually uses the advertiser's machines in her work. In addition, the endorsement may also be required to meet the standards of Guide 3 on Expert Endorsements.

[Guide 1]
[45 FR 3872, Jan. 18, 1980]

§255.2 Consumer endorsements.

(a) An advertisement employing an endorsement reflecting the experience of an individual or a group of consumers on a central or key attribute of the product or service will be interpreted as representing that the endorser's experience is representative of what consumers will generally achieve with the advertised product in actual, albeit variable, conditions of use. Therefore, unless the advertiser possesses and relies upon adequate substantiation for this representation, the advertisement should either clearly and conspicuously disclose what the generally expected performance would be in the depicted circumstances or clearly and conspicuously disclose the limited applicability of the endorser's experience to what consumers may generally expect to achieve. The Commission's position regarding the acceptance of disclaimers or disclosures is described in the preamble to these Guides published in the Federal Register on January 18, 1980.

(b) Advertisements presenting endorsements by what are represented, directly or by implication, to be ``actual consumers'' should utilize actual consumers, in both the audio and video or clearly and conspicuously disclose that the persons in such advertisements are not actual consumers of the advertised product.

(c) Claims concerning the efficacy of any drug or device as defined in the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 55, shall not be made in lay endorsements unless (1) the advertiser has adequate scientific substantiation for such claims and (2) the claims are not inconsistent with any determination that has been made by the Food and Drug Administration with respect to the drug or device that is the subject of the claim.

Guide 2, Example 1: An advertisement presents the endorsement of an owner of one of the advertiser's television sets. The consumer states that she has needed to take the set to the shop for repairs only one time during her 2-year period of ownership and the costs of servicing the set to date have been under $10.00. Unless the advertiser possesses and relied upon adequate substantiation for the implied claim that such performance reflects that which a significant proportion of consumers would be likely to experience, the advertiser should include a disclosure that either states clearly and conspicuously what the generally expectable performance would be or clearly and conspicuously informs consumers that the performance experienced by the endorser is not what they should expect to experience. The mere disclosure that ``not all consumers will get this result'' is insufficient because it can imply that while all consumers cannot expect the advertised results, a substantial number can expect them. [See the cross reference in Guide 2(a) regarding the acceptability of disclaimers or disclosures.]

Example 2: An advertiser presents the results of a poll of consumers who have used the advertiser's cake mixes as well as their own recipes. The results purport to show that the majority believed that their families could not tell the difference between the advertised mix and their own cakes baked from scratch. Many of the consumers are actually pictured in the advertisement along with relevant, quoted portions of their statements endorsing the product. This use of the results of a poll or survey of consumers probably represents a promise to consumers that this is the typical result that ordinary consumers can expect from the advertiser's cake mix.

Example 3: An advertisement purports to portray a ``hidden camera'' situation in a crowded cafeteria at breakfast time. A spokesperson for the advertiser asks a series of actual patrons of the cafeteria for their spontaneous, honest opinions of the advertiser's recently introduced breakfast cereal. Even though the words ``hidden camera'' are not displayed on the screen, and even though none of the actual patrons is specifically identified during the advertisement, the net impression conveyed to consumers may well be that these are actual customers, and not actors. If actors have been employed, this fact should be disclosed.

[Guide 2]
[45 FR 3872, Jan. 18, 1980]

§255.3 Expert endorsements.

(a) Whenever an advertisement represents, directly or by implication, that the endorser is an expert with respect to the endorsement message, then the endorser's qualifications must in fact give him the expertise that he is represented as possessing with respect to the endorsement.

(b) While the expert may, in endorsing a product, take into account factors not within his expertise (e.g., matters of taste or price), his endorsement must be supported by an actual exercise of his expertise in evaluating product features or characteristics with respect to which he is expert and which are both relevant to an ordinary consumer's use of or experience with the product and also are available to the ordinary consumer. This evaluation must have included an examination or testing of the product at least as extensive as someone with the same degree of expertise would normally need to conduct in order to support the conclusions presented in the endorsement. Where, and to the extent that, the advertisement implies that the endorsement was based upon a comparison such comparison must have been included in his evaluation; and as a result of such comparison, he must have concluded that, with respect to those features on which he is expert and which are relevant and available to an ordinary consumer, the endorsed product is at least equal overall to the competitors' products. Moreover, where the net impression created by the endorsement is that the advertised product is superior to other products with respect to any such feature or features, then the expert must in fact have found such superiority.

Example 1: An endorsement of a particular automobile by one described as an ``engineer'' implies that the endorser's professional training and experience are such that he is well acquainted with the design and performance of automobiles. If the endorser's field is, for example, chemical engineering, the endorsement would be deceptive.

Example 2: A manufacturer of automobile parts advertises that its products are approved by the ``American Institute of Science.'' From its very name, consumers would infer that the ``American Institute of Science'' is a bona fide independent testing organization with expertise in judging automobile parts and that, as such, it would not approve any automobile part without first testing its efficacy by means of valid scientific methods. Even if the American Institute of Science is such a bona fide expert testing organization, as consumers would expect, the endorsement may nevertheless be deceptive unless the Institute has conducted valid scientific tests of the advertised products and the test results support the endorsement message.

Example 3: A manufacturer of a non-prescription drug product represents that its product has been selected in preference to competing products by a large metropolitan hospital. The hospital has selected the product because the manufacturer, unlike its competitors, has packaged each dose of the product separately. This package form is not generally available to the public. Under the circumstances, the endorsement would be deceptive because the basis for the choice of the manufacturer's product, convenience of packaging, is neither relevant nor available to consumers.

Example 4: The president of a commercial ``home cleaning service'' states in a television advertisement that the service uses a particular brand of cleanser in its business. Since the cleaning service's professional success depends largely upon the performance of the cleansers it uses, consumers would expect the service to be expert with respect to judging cleansing ability, and not be satisfied using an inferior cleanser in its business when it knows of a better one available to it. Accordingly, the cleaning service's endorsement must at least conform to those consumer expectations. The service must, of course, actually use the endorsed cleanser. Additionally, on the basis of its expertise, it must have determined that the cleansing ability of the endorsed cleanser is at least equal (or superior, if such is the net impression conveyed by the advertisement) to that of competing products with which the service has had experience and which remain reasonably available to it. Since in this example, the cleaning service's president makes no mention that the endorsed cleanser was ``chosen,'' ``selected,'' or otherwise evaluated in side-by-side comparisons against its competitors, it is sufficient if the service has relied solely upon its accumulated experience in evaluating cleansers without having to have performed side-by-side or scientific comparisons.

Example 5: An association of professional athletes states in an advertisement that it has ``selected'' a particular brand of beverages as its ``official breakfast drink''. As in Example 4, the association would be regarded as expert in the field of nutrition for purposes of this section, because consumers would expect it to rely upon the selection of nutritious foods as part of its business needs. Consequently, the association's endorsement must be based upon an expert evaluation of the nutritional value of the endorsed beverage. Furthermore, unlike Example 4, the use of the words ``selected'' and ``official'' in this endorsement imply that it was given only after direct comparisons had been performed among competing brands. Hence, the advertisement would be deceptive unless the association has in fact performed such comparisons between the endorsed brand and its leading competitors in terms of nutritional criteria, and the results of such comparisons conform to the net impression created by the advertisement.

[Guide 3]
[40 FR 22128, May 21, 1975]

§255.4 Endorsements by organizations.

Endorsements by organizations, especially expert ones, are viewed as representing the judgment of a group whose collective experience exceeds that of any individual member, and whose judgments are generally free of the sort of subjective factors which vary from individual to individual. Therefore an organization's endorsement must be reached by a process sufficient to ensure that the endorsement fairly reflects the collective judgment of the organization. Moreover, if an organization is represented as being expert, then, in conjunction with a proper exercise of its expertise in evaluating the product under §255.3 of this part (Expert endorsements), it must utilize an expert or experts recognized as such by the organization or standards previously adopted by the organization and suitable for judging the relevant merits of such products.

Example: A mattress seller advertises that its product is endorsed by a chiropractic association. Since the association would be regarded as expert with respect to judging mattresses, its endorsement must be supported by an expert evaluation by an expert or experts recognized as such by the organization, or by compliance with standards previously adopted by the organization and aimed at measuring the performance of mattresses in general and not designed with the particular attributes of the advertised mattress in mind. (See also §255.3, Example 5.)

[Guide 4]
[40 FR 22128, May 21, 1975]

§255.5 Disclosure of material connections.

When there exists a connection between the endorser and the seller of the advertised product which might materially affect the weight or credibility of the endorsement (i.e., the connection is not reasonably expected by the audience) such connection must be fully disclosed. An example of a connection that is ordinarily expected by viewers and need not be disclosed is the payment or promise of payment to an endorser who is an expert or well known personality, as long as the advertiser does not represent that the endorsement was given without compensation. However, when the endorser is neither represented in the advertisement as an expert nor is known to a significant portion of the viewing public, then the advertiser should clearly and conspicuously disclose either the payment or promise of compensation prior to and in exchange for the endorsement or the fact that the endorser knew or had reasons to know or to believe that if the endorsement favors the advertised product some benefit, such as an appearance on TV, would be extended to the endorser.

Example 1: A drug company commissions research on its product by a well-known research organization. The drug company pays a substantial share of the expenses of the research project, but the test design is under the control of the research organization. A subsequent advertisement by the drug company mentions the research results as the ``findings'' of the well-known research organization. The advertiser's payment of expenses to the research organization need not be disclosed in this advertisement. Application of the standards set by Guides 3 and 4 provides sufficient assurance that the advertiser's payment will not affect the weight or credibility of the endorsement.

Example 2: A film star endorses a particular food product. The endorsement regards only points of taste and individual preference. This endorsement must of course comply with §255.1; but even though the compensation paid the endorser is substantial, neither the fact nor the amount of compensation need be revealed.

Example 3: An actual patron of a restaurant, who is neither known to the public nor presented as an expert, is shown seated at the counter. He is asked for his ``spontaneous'' opinion of a new food product served in the restaurant. Assume, first, that the advertiser had posted a sign on the door of the restaurant informing all who entered that day that patrons would be interviewed by the advertiser as part of its TV promotion of its new soy protein ``steak''. This notification would materially affect the weight or credibility of the patron's endorsement, and, therefore, viewers of the advertisement should be clearly and conspicuously informed of the circumstances under which the endorsement was obtained.

Assume, in the alternative, that the advertiser had not posted a sign on the door of the restaurant, but had informed all interviewed customers of the ``hidden camera'' only after interviews were completed and the customers had no reason to know or believe that their response was being recorded for use in an advertisement. Even if patrons were also told that they would be paid for allowing the use of their opinions in advertising, these facts need not be disclosed.

[Guide 5]
[45 FR 3873, Jan. 18, 1980]

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DESTROY ALL COUNTERFEITS! - eBay's New June 2009 User Agreement

DESTROY ALL COUNTERFEITS! - eBay's New June 2009 User Agreement
14 May 2009
EventHorizon1984
Commentary

We made a condensed comment on the AuctionByte blog "eBay Revises Fakes Policy: Return, not Destroy".  What follows is a full article.

The material in this article is provided to you free of charge, "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

Basically talk to a attorney figuratively face-to-face when seeking legal advice.  Not that we're dispensing any.

The May 13th AuctionBytes articles "eBay's New Policy Instructs Buyers to Destroy Fakes" and "Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy" brought to light a section in eBay's User Agreement, that would be implemented 14 June 2009.

• For covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded, buyers are required to destroy an item if they claim it is not authentic. Once a buyer confirms destruction of the item, eBay will reimburse the buyer.
• For covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded, sellers agree to not hold buyers or eBay responsible for the destruction of an item if it is not believed to be authentic

Looking at the California statutes, eBay INC being located in the State of California, this type of action is covered under "California Criminal Law", "Crimes Against Property", "Larceny", "Grand Theft", etal. 

All 50 U.S. States and U.S. Territories have similar laws.  Then there's the matter of Interstate Commerce, and it's coverage by the U.S. Attorney General and the F.B.I.

And yes, there's more.

A day later someone at eBay with a legal background must have read the MBA produced User Agreement.

***Updated: Changes to the eBay User Agreement***
May 14, 2009 | 04:46PM PST/PT

Scott Shipman

On May 15, eBay will be releasing a revised user agreement. This revision will address the obligations of buyers and sellers in transactions where a buyer has alleged receipt of a counterfeit item.

Under the revised agreement:

• Buyers and sellers shall work in good faith during the resolution process to determine that the item is not counterfeit.
• If buyer and seller cannot determine that the item is not counterfeit, buyers are required to send the item back to the seller. Cost of return shipping will be paid by the buyer or eBay, unless both buyer and seller have agreed otherwise.
• Covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded will count as a violation by the seller of our prohibited and infringing items policy.
• If eBay determines the buyer is not acting in good faith, eBay may restrict or eliminate their ability to return items or make future claims.
• Sellers shall not list, advertise, or cause that item to appear for sale, barter or trade, on any eBay Inc. web site or service.

These revisions to the user agreement are being made to:

• Provide sellers protections against inaccurate counterfeit claims.
• Provide buyers assurances about the authenticity of the item received.
• Maintain integrity of the eBay marketplace.

The new User Agreement is effective immediately for new members registering on or after today, and on June 14, 2009, for current members. You don't need to do anything to accept the new User Agreement. If you don't wish to accept it, you can follow these instructions to close your account.

Sincerely,
Scott Shipman
Senior Counsel
eBay Inc.

For the casual reader, these are eBay User Agreement sections being referenced:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/user-agreement.html

Buyer Obligations:

• Buyers agree to file claims in accordance with the conditions, exclusions and coverage limitations as further explained in the eBay Purchase Protection policy.

• For covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded, eBay will reimburse eligible buyers by PayPal or by coupon redeemable on eBay, in eBay’s discretion, based upon a number of factors, such as whether the buyer has a PayPal account, the type of payment made to the seller and the payment amount.

• Buyers who eBay believes are not acting in good faith, abusing the program or a seller, attempting to commit or committing fraud, or trying to unjustly benefit from the program may become ineligible for eBay Purchase Protection. Buyers who become ineligible will be notified by eBay prior to ineligibility.  eBay reserves the right to temporarily, indefinitely or permanently suspend the eBay Purchase Protection program immediately if we suspect abuse, excessive claims, tampering, or interference with the proper working of the program.

• eBay Purchase Protection doesn’t cover certain types and categories of goods or services, false, abusive or illegitimate claims, or transactions where you have been or may be compensated from another third party. Please read the eBay Purchase Protection policy for more details.

 Seller Obligations:

• Sellers agree to follow the program requirements as explained in the eBay Purchase Protection policy.

• All sellers with an open claim must work in good faith to resolve the claim, refund money and/or provide a replacement item, and accept a return of the item as explained by the eBay Purchase Protection Policy.

• If a seller doesn't resolve a claim, the seller agrees to pay eBay the amount paid by eBay to the buyer in accordance with the eBay Purchase Protection policy. eBay will invoice the seller for these amounts and seller agrees to pay eBay in accordance with the invoice terms.

Obligations when a buyer opens a claim alleging an item is counterfeit:

• Sellers shall work with the buyer in good faith during the resolution process to provide buyer with appropriate documentation or other assurances to satisfy the buyer that the item is not counterfeit, if such information is available.

• If buyer and seller cannot agree that the item is not counterfeit, for covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded, buyers are required to send the item back to the seller. Cost of return shipping will be paid by the buyer or eBay in our sole discretion, unless otherwise agreed upon by the buyer and seller.

• Covered claims that meet the conditions and are not excluded will count as a violation by the seller of our prohibited and infringing items policy.

• Sellers shall not list, advertise, or cause that item to appear for sale, barter or trade, on any eBay Inc. (including our subsidiaries, joint ventures, and other members of the group) web site or service located around the world.

• While buyers are not obligated to provide third party confirmation that an item is counterfeit in order to open a claim, in cases where there is written confirmation from the manufacturer that the item is counterfeit, or in additional circumstances where eBay elects to exercise its discretion, eBay may request the destruction of the item by an authorized third party and at eBay’s expense.

Let us briefly go through the new legalize.  Keep in mind that legal documents are written to minimize, or eliminate, vague, and subject to multiple interpretation, language.  At least that is the goal.

Condensing the above counterfeit section down to a more understandable form:

• "If buyer and seller cannot agree that the item is not counterfeit" this "will count as a violation by the seller of our prohibited and infringing items policy", and "buyers are not obligated to provide third party confirmation that an item is counterfeit".

Same as Scott Shipman's announcement, got it?

This part is solid:

• "in cases where there is written confirmation from the manufacturer that the item is counterfeit"

However there remains more language that eBay's legal team must clean up.  Which is not necessarily Scott Shipman's pervue. See http://news.ebay.com/team.cfm Michael Jacobson, eBay Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

Take a look at this:

• "or in additional circumstances where eBay elects to exercise its discretion, eBay may request the destruction of the item by an authorized third party and at eBay’s expense."

Read it very carefully.  eBay can destroy seller property when "eBay elects to exercise its discretion".  This part does not clearly explain "discretion".  In less legalize, "discretion" could be very very very very loosely replaced with 'whim'.

This has a bit more clarity:

•  "eBay may request the destruction of the item by an authorized third party".

But lacks the explanation of what happens should eBay NOT request destruction.  Because of the word "may", the statement can be interpreted as:

• "or in additional circumstances where eBay elects to exercise its discretion, eBay may or may not request the destruction of the item by an authorized third party and at eBay’s expense."

Consider what happens in the event that eBay does NOT request destruction of the item?  Do you know what happens to the seller's item?  There are multiple possibilities, indicating that this part is vague, and NOT clearly written.

Eventually eBay's legal team needs to put in a list of authorized third parties that will be used for destruction.  That is fairly minor though.

This part is not minor:

• "at eBay’s expense."

This CAN be interpreted as, 'eBay will pay for the cost of destruction'.  Fine, but incomplete.  Remember IN CONTEXT "at eBay’s expense" refers to the cost of destruction PERIOD.

Lets revisit the original issue in the original User Agreement.  eBay makes the buyer whole and pays for destruction of a seller's item, but THEN who ultimately pays for the money given back to the buyer?  The rewritten user agreement remains ambiguous or missing in this matter.

Consider what happens when a seller resolves the claim in good faith, informs the buyer to return the item for a refund, the buyer maintains the item is counterfeit, and eBay chooses to "exercise its discretion"?

• "If a seller doesn't resolve a claim, the seller agrees to pay eBay the amount paid by eBay to the buyer"

Is it likely that this provision, under Seller Obligations, would be applied whereby eBay unilaterally chooses to "exercise its discretion", declares the claim is not resolved, and eBay has the now seller's item destroyed?

• "eBay will invoice the seller for these amounts and seller agrees to pay eBay in accordance with the invoice terms."

Anyone notice there is more 'whim' in the new rewritten user agreement?  Is this deliberate or an oversight?

And as William Cobb would put it, soooo Is there more?  Yes. 

Think it's time to hit to personally hit the word processor Michael Jacobson ESQ, and clean up this mess?

"It's sort of an obsession with me to do the best I can for a client. My clients aren't blameless. Many of them are crooks. Probably a lot of them are guilty. That's not for me to determine. That's for a jury to determine."
Perry Mason

"The character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done."
Oliver Wendell Holmes JR, U.S. Supreme Court

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The "DESTROY ALL COUNTERFEITS!" is homage to the Toho Company movie "Kaiju soshingeki" or "Destroy All Monsters!" (1968).

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eBay Media Center - Senior Management
http://news.ebay.com/team.cfm

Michael Jacobson
Senior Vice President and General Counsel, eBay Inc.

Download image

As senior vice president and general counsel at eBay, Mike Jacobson's responsibilities include overseeing eBay's legal department, its risk management program, and its policy group. He is responsible for interactions with content regulators, law enforcement, contracts, SEC compliance, and other legal matters. Prior to eBay, Mike was a partner with Cooley Godward LLP where he was recognized as an expert in securities law. His responsibilities included corporate and securities transactions, including mergers and acquisition transactions, public offerings, and venture capital financing. Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Magna Cum Laude, in 1975 from Harvard College, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He subsequently received his law degree from Stanford University in 1981, where he was a Nathan Abbot Scholar and a member of Order of the Coif. He also received the Hilmer Oehlmann Jr. award as well as first and second year honors.

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Notable Comments

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Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy
by: Grab your torches

Wed May 13 14:28:53 2009
Just calm down, you silly people
When the smoke that you yourselves are generating clears, you'll see that a third party verification is needed. This system is already in place and has been used for a long time.

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4343martino ( 1851) View seller's items | View Blog Well fer sure...every buyer is a honest upstanding citizen of what ever third world country they happen to be in..You should know that by now world-secure....there never has been or ever will be a dishonest e-bay buyer...they dont exist..not in this world or the next..just ask e-bay they will tell ya...LOL>>>What a crock of sh*t e-bay has created with this one..chalk up another one for the lawyers...LOL>>> Mark May-13-09 15:27:25 PDT

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Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy
by: Grab your torches
Thu May 14 13:45:31 2009

So much hype here.
Where does this false info about mailing counterfeits come from? It is illegal to sell them, yes. Illegal to use USPS to sell them, yes. NOT illegal to use USPS to send them to be authenticated/destroyed.
The eBay UA only states that a buyer must "confirm" that a counterfeit has been destroyed. It says nothing about the manner of that confirmation. The current process for a destroying a counterfeit is not spelled out either. Do you assume this means the buyer just has to say they did? No, they ship it to Texas, where it is supposedly destroyed if counterfeit, or resold if authentic. Is there any reason to believe that this won't be pretty much the same thing?

Any idiot knows that if all eBay will require is a buyer saying they destroyed it, then this cannot possibly be legal. Why then, do you all believe this is what eBay is going to do?

It seems much more likely that the user agreement is being left deliberately vague, for any number of reasons.

I swear, Ina could tell you that eBay Singapore was adding a category for human trafficking and you would all eat it up and repeat it everywhere.
Clowns, all of you.

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Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy
by: Grab your torches
Thu May 14 14:18:52 2009

Why doesn't somebody here just go ahead and buy a fake purse? Do it. You'll be making the world a better place removing a counterfeit. Much better than reporting it, getting the listing removed so the seller can peddle it somewhere else. Actually buy it and the fake seller is out the money and the counterfeit.
Now, tell eBay it's a fake and see what they ask you to do.

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Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy
by: Grab your torches
Thu May 14 15:04:12 2009

"If ebay doesn't want incorrect information floating around about ANY of its policies, then the policy should be completely transparent and 100% of it posted."

Seriously? This is a defense?
I would like a little more clarity over this policy as well, but that DOES NOT JUSTIFY MAKING THINGS UP!

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Questions over eBay's New Fakes Policy
by: Grab your torches
Thu May 14 15:11:55 2009

Some secret policies are good.
The list of words in a title that restrict how many of a certain thing you can sell, for example. Make that known and people selling counterfeits know exactly what to avoid.
Exactly how best match works also. Remember when some unscrupulous sellers figured out to put NEW NEW NEW in the title to push their items to the top?

While I do not see the logic behind their vagueness in this case, I wont deign to say that it does not exist. I can't say with any certainty that 100% transparency wouldn't create an opening for the counterfeit sellers to abuse.

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eBay PayFlow Checkout, Hacker Approved??

eBay PayFlow Checkout, Hacker Approved??
26 March 2009
EventHorizon1984


eBay plans to deactivate 3rd party checkout around June 2009.  Meaning eBay Sellers with Merchant Accounts (using 3rd party checkout), allowing non-PayPal credit card payments, are required to sign up for a mandatory PayFlow account beginning March 1st 2009. 

Well an event that appears interestingly timed with eBay's new PayFlow checkout occurred.  It appears that someone may have conducted the first large scale test of the vulnerability of eBay's new eBay/PayFlow checkout.

Cyber Attack: Unsolicited, Unstoppable PayPal Payments
By: Ina Steiner
Wed Mar 18 2009 22:42:14

• "There were several disturbing characteristics of this attack. It appears that scammers could use bogus information (including email address, physical address, and phone number) to send payments with credit cards that were, one would conclude, compromised or stolen. In some of those cases, it seems PayPal failed to identify them as suspicious to the merchant in a timely fashion."
• "But we know that when one incident surfaces, they are bound to be followed by more, so keep an eye out for strange activity in your PayPal account, and keep a close eye on your credit cards!"

Not that we find this surprising.

Look up active registered eBay Developer spopa2006 ( 3 ) sometime, as we blog back in time.

• "According to the affidavit, Popa was sentenced to 71 days in jail in Michigan in 2006 after being charged for using a hijacked eBay account to defraud someone into paying $1,448 for an item that didn't exist."

Remember, eBay code monkeys and Developers are working on and implementing software to allow buyers to input their credit card information directly on the eBay site and through eBay owned PayPal/PayFlow.

So your credit card can be safe.

"What's in Your wallet?"*

* What can we say, we like the Capital One commercials.

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spopa2006
Re: Mail address of an ebay User ?
Posted: Jun 7, 2007 12:41 AM   

Hey there. I wrote a similar project in C++ by using pointers. However, the implemented network interface i used in C++ is no longer supported and I am not a C# guru as I am in c++. Tell me whether or not you got your solution. You can email me at gam30v3r2007@yahoo.com

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Suspect in 'phishing' scheme indicted
A Romanian immigrant is accused of using e-mails to dupe thousands of people into sharing financial records.

By Dan Browning, Star Tribune

Last update: June 20, 2007 –  9:55 PM

• "A Romanian immigrant was indicted Tuesday in federal court in Minneapolis on charges that he operated a computerized "phishing" scheme for several years that raked in financial records and personal identification from thousands of individuals, including many from Minnesota."
• "Sergiu Daniel Popa, 20, of Shelby Township, Mich., was indicted on three counts of possessing 15 or more devices designed to collect data on the Internet without authorization, and three counts of aggravated identity theft."
• "According to {FBI Special Agent Theodore} Theisen's affidavit and the indictment:"

• "Popa had more than 7,000 identities of victims of various phishing schemes, together with bank account, credit card and Social Security numbers, and passwords for some eBay, online banking and e-mail accounts. He offered to sell the stolen information to others."

• "Popa was convicted of larceny by conversion on June 12, 2006, stemming from a case in Saline, Mich. He was accused of using a hijacked eBay account to trick an individual into sending him $1,448 to buy a product that didn't exist. He served 71 days, Theisen said."

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From eBay Stores Forum
Phisher Indicted - check out this article

spopa2006 (2 ) View Listings | Report                 Jun-26-07 13:34 PDT       3 of 3
Listen guys. I am Sergiu D. Popa. I am that horrible guy!

Now let me make things a bit clear for you. First and foremost, I think that the Feds are a bit mentally challenged to put me behind bars because I have access to a lot of databases and I can predict every single move one tries to make against me.

And by the way, employing the described techniques by the newspaper article I successfully obtained about 1.1 Million dollars. I never run a Western Union Scheme as the newspaper says. I run an insurance scheme and therefore there shouldn't be any complaints. Insurances have plenty of money.

They also fail to mention in the newspapers reports who I really am in terms of my education and my real story. If you would really know my background and my level of education, you would probably realize that I can listen to your phone conversation, or maybe take a refinance loan on your house without you knowing. I am really appalled by the fact that you guys are making such comments on my behalf. Who are you to judge me? You guys make me laugh.

They also failed to say that I used to work as a mortgage broker and I regret the mistakes I made by scamming insurance companies but I was only 16 at the time I was doing it. I also offered to pay restitution to the Government. However, they always have to win, and they will never accept restitution because they want to prosecute me.

I have also seen a newspaper article where I was described as speaking a broken English. Let's analyze that for a second. At 14 I was teaching Differential Equations and Mechanics at a 4 yr college in New Hampshire, and by the time I was 15 I graduated high school. I am not a wannabe. As a matter of fact, I think I read more books in my life than the whole FBI Minnesota office. If the newspapers are going to write an article about me, I ask them to tell the whole truth. Call my college professors and ask them who I really am.

I know FBI, NASA, BOP and all those other government bonehead agencies are not happy when a kid who immigrated from another country penetrates their systems, but such is life. Get used to it. If in this life, we would all have an equal level of intelligence the world would come to an end. But how would you guys know that? I bet you guys never actually read a sociology, philosophy or psychology book and actually made something out of it.

But here is a warning to everybody who will post bogus information about me:

I will make your life a hell. Do not test me. Do not post information that is not accurate. I already have enough bad publicity and I do not want more. I want to be left alone.

This also applies to the Feds. I have been a nice guy with you, but once again, you are not smart enough to catch me for one, and I would really hate to see you guys back to stone age. How much would the Feds loose if one of their databases were to be completely deleted?

I am not an evil person, but I could be if I wanted to. Let's all live in peace and harmony. Mind your own business and I will mind my own.

Very Truly Yours,
Sergiu D. Popa

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spopa2006 (2 ) View Listings | Report        Jun-26-07 23:56 PDT       5 of 5
Why would you think it is a joke? Better yet, what are the reasons for which you think this is a joke?

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Romanian national cops to $700,000 phishing trip

Who's your underworld Popa?

By Dan Goodin in San Francisco 

Posted in Crime, 9th October 2008 18:47 GMT

• "Sergiu Daniel Popa, who for the past seven years has lived in New York and Michigan, pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis to two felonies related to the scheme. He faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of $500,000. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled."
• "According to Popa's plea agreement, the scheme snagged the identities of 7,000 individuals who suffered a net loss of about $700,000. When his house was searched earlier this year, authorities found a machine for imprinting graphics on blank plastic cards, foil ribbons for making holographic images that appear on finished cards, blank cards, and partially created fraudulent drivers' licenses."
• Popa also possessed pre-built websites spoofing the online destinations of multiple financial institutions, such as PayPal, SunTrust Bank, and CitiBank, according to an affidavit filed in the case. He offered to sell phishing kits with step-by-step instructions for $1,500 and software and hardware capable of counterfeiting credit cards.
• According to the affidavit, Popa was sentenced to 71 days in jail in Michigan in 2006 after being charged for using a hijacked eBay account to defraud someone into paying $1,448 for an item that didn't exist.

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Greg Fant - ***Free Picture Price change***

Not So Free, eBay Free Picture Price Change
12 February 2009
By EventHorizon1984

• "I’d like to share some news regarding fee changes for eBay-hosted pictures that we’re making in the Collectibles, Art, Antiques and Pottery & Glass categories. The first eBay-hosted picture in an item is already free. Effective February 18, 2009, we are making all additional pictures, Picture Pack and Gallery Plus FREE for listings in all four categories on the US site", Greg Fant, eBay VP of Marketing & Buyer Experience
• eBay Gives Photo-Freebie to Collectibles Dealers, Ina Steiner, 13 February 2009

We wonder if sellers realize that according to eBay's User Agreement, eBay will own the rights to the photos you host on eBay?

When you give us content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, sublicensable (through multiple tiers) right to exercise the copyright, trademark, publicity, and database rights (but no other rights) you have in the content, in any media known now or in the future.

If you want to know what eBay will do with your photos, here's what follows the User Agreement parargraph above.

For the convenience of sellers, we may offer catalogs of stock images, descriptions and product specifications, which are provided by third-parties.

The catalogs may include copyrighted, trademarked or other proprietary materials.

The reader may wonder why eBay needs "Collectibles, Art, Antiques and Pottery & Glass" photos, when eBay has a ready supply of stock photos available to sellers.  The answer is eBay does not have a large supply of stock photos for collectibles.

Yet.

Unless sellers continue to host their own high quality photos, after February 18th eBay will own the rights to a growing supply of royalty-free "Collectibles, Art, Antiques and Pottery & Glass" photos.

Which eBay will gladly loan out to all sellers.  Translation for eBay sellers: Give to your competitors.

Really think about it, before taking eBay up on it's "free" offer.

"I teach you to lie, cheat, and steal, and as soon as my back's turned you wait in line?"
Gregory House, M.D., House

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http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200902121347522.html

***Free Picture Price change***
February 12, 2009 | 01:48PM PST/PT

Greg Fant

Hello everyone...I’d like to share some news regarding fee changes for eBay-hosted pictures that we’re making in the Collectibles, Art, Antiques and Pottery & Glass categories. The first eBay-hosted picture in an item is already free.

Effective February 18, 2009, we are making all additional pictures, Picture Pack and Gallery Plus FREE for listings in all four categories on the US site (www.ebay.com). This includes all formats and all durations.

eBay is committed to providing a great experience to its users. Buyers in these categories have asked for more photos to help them decide which items to compare and which item to purchase. We believe that more free photos will allow sellers to provide buyers the visual details they need to make these decisions, lower buyer questions, and increase seller sales.

By the way, we're also working on improving the visual shopping experience for buyers with new ways to browse and view multiple, large pictures, which should further increase the benefits of free pictures for both sellers and buyers. Stay tuned for more information about these upcoming visual enhancements.

We’re excited to make these changes, and believe they will enhance the marketplace on eBay for everyone. I encourage you to click here for full pricing details.

Sincerely,
Greg Fant
VP of Marketing & Buyer Experience

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WalesOnline - Police join eBay to combat fraud

To quote TameBay readers:

http://www.tamebay.com/2009/02/welsh-police-get-ebay-education.html#comments

• hitch on February 5th, 2009 6:09 pm

This collaborative approach has contributed to over a 20% reduction in the number of people having a bad experience or being defrauded on eBay in 2008, sending a clear signal to criminals that they won’t get away with illegal activity on our site.
Steve Edwards, eBay Senior Manager Law Enforcement Relations

So 80% getting away with criminal activity is acceptable ?

• board_surfer on February 5th, 2009 12:56 pm

“a 20% reduction in the number of people having a bad experience or being defrauded on eBay in 2008″

Is a bit like saying you have lost 10 stone in weight and forgetting to mention you weighed 50 stone to begin with.

• Whirly on February 5th, 2009 4:17 pm

Training someone else to do something for nothing, sounds familiar.

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http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/02/05/police-join-ebay-to-combat-fraud-91466-22858147/

Police join eBay to combat fraud

Feb 5 2009 by Robin Turner, Western Mail

OFFICIALS from internet auction site eBay are working with Welsh police to help stop fraud.

{SEE FULL ARTICLE FOR DETAILS}

Steve Edwards, the company’s head of law enforcement relations, said: “Trust is the engine of eBay, and with 15 million people in the UK visiting our site each month we have a duty to make it as safe and secure as possible.”

He added: “This collaborative approach has contributed to over a 20% reduction in the number of people having a bad experience or being defrauded on eBay in 2008, sending a clear signal to criminals that they won’t get away with illegal activity on our site.”

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SIIA - SIIA Extends Online Software Anti-Piracy Campaign with First-Ever Lawsuits Against Sellers on Amazon.com and iOffer.com

http://www.siia.net/

Media Release
 
SIIA Extends Online Software Anti-Piracy Campaign with First-Ever
Lawsuits Against Sellers on Amazon.com and iOffer.com 

With Eight New Lawsuits SIIA Has Taken Action Against 40 Online Sellers of Illegal
Software in 2008

Washington, D.C. – December 9, 2008 – The Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital content industries, today announced the filing of eight new lawsuits against illegal software sellers.  The new round includes SIIA’s first-ever lawsuits against illegal software sellers on Amazon.com and iOffer.com.  These latest actions bring the total number of online auction site lawsuits SIIA has filed this year on behalf of its member companies to 40.

“In the current economic climate, when consumer confidence is already low, it is essential that consumers are able to purchase software online knowing that it is legal and will function properly.  Illegal sellers tempt consumers with low prices, but the software often doesn’t work and, of course, comes without the full range of customer support offered by manufacturers,” said Keith Kupferschmid, SIIA SVP of Intellectual Property Policy & Enforcement. 

“The new lawsuits are part of SIIA’s continued aggressive pursuit of online software pirates through both the civil and criminal processes,” Kupferschmid said.  “We are sending a clear message about the lengths to which we will go to protect our member companies, unsuspecting consumers and legitimate software vendors.”  

“We applaud the SIIA in its efforts to combat software piracy. The distribution of counterfeit software on any online site is unacceptable,” said Ryan Boyce, CEO of iOffer.  “We hope that by assisting SIIA with promoting this initiative, anyone who buys counterfeit software by mistake will learn how to report illegal sellers.”

SIIA has filed 40 lawsuits in 2008 as part of its increased efforts to protect consumers and lawful software vendors, and stop illegal online sales of software.  Through its Auction Litigation Program, SIIA filed nine lawsuits in February, eight in March, nine in sending a clear message about the lengths to which we will go to pro May, six in July, and eight today.  In addition to the civil cases, SIIA investigations have led to the filing of numerous criminal cases by the Department of Justice against notorious online software pirates, such as Jeremiah Mondello who was sentenced in July 2008 to 48 months in federal prison as a result of charges stemming from an SIIA Auction Litigation Program investigation.

 “These lawsuits represent an important expansion of the SIIA anti-piracy program,” said Scott Bain, SIIA Litigation Counsel.  “While all previous online lawsuits where against eBay sellers, this round includes the first-ever action against illegal software sellers on Amazon and iOffer.

SIIA filed the most recent lawsuits on behalf of member company, Adobe.  The lawsuits charged all of the following with knowingly selling software, including Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Acrobat 8.0, illegally on auction sites eBay, Amazon.com, and iOffer:  Darwin Mieles, Miami, FL (Seller ID:  “dm42017”); Aiden O’Connors, Santa Cruz, CA (Seller ID:  “blackwolfblooks”); La’Kieta Prosper, Orlando, FL (Seller ID:  “lakieta”); Adrian Garibaldi, Carrollton, TX (Seller ID: “abtechnology”); Manual Marmoletos, New York, NY (Seller ID:  “marmomn”); Randy Peek, Toledo, OH (Seller ID: “randy4112”); Tony Kornrumpf, Lookout Mountain, TN (Seller ID: “cyberpcs”); and an unnamed seller from Los Angeles, CA (Seller ID: “topsoftware1”).

To date, the SIIA program has led to judgments against and settlements with illegal eBay sellers as well as sellers on other websites dealing in counterfeit, OEM, unbundled, unauthorized education, and other illegal software.  Damages paid by defendants have run as high as several hundred thousand dollars.  SIIA has also successfully tracked and pursued the upstream sources of these products, and, as necessary, pursued those suppliers.

The SIIA Auction Litigation Program aims to educate buyers and sellers on auction sites regarding the harms caused by illegal software.  Among other things, sellers can be prosecuted and buyers can be faced with viruses and no technical support.  In addition to the auction piracy lawsuits, SIIA has also sought to protect legitimate sellers and unsuspecting buyers by publishing educational software buying guides for auction sites.

About SIIA
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industries.  SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection to more than 500 leading software and information companies.  For further information, visit:  www.siia.net. 

Media Contacts:
Eileen Bramlet, SIIA Communications, 202.789.4469, ebramlet@siia.net
Brian Kaminski, Rational PR, 202.429.4942, briankaminski@rationalpr.com

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This list of sellers is based on the SIIA information.  If you are NOT the ones mentioned by the SIIA, contact them.

"Darwin Mieles, Miami, FL (Seller ID:  “dm42017”)"

http://shop.ebay.com/member/_W0QQ_dmdZ1?_frompage=itemsbyseller&_userid=dm42017&_fcm=1&_tokentext=118587&_tokenstring=Y1PDJAMAAAA%253D&_sop=12&_ipg=50

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=dm42017&ftab=AllFeedback&_trksid=p3911.c0.m198

dm42017 ( 128)

1 year 8 months

FL,United States

	dm42017 ( 128) Not a registered user
	Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 95.7%
	Member since: Apr-04-07 in United States

Recent Feedback Ratings (last 12 months)   1 month 6 months 12 months Positive 0 45 92 Neutral 0 0 2 Negative 0 4 4

Detailed Seller Ratings (last 12 months) Criteria Average rating Number of ratings Item as described 62 Communication 62 Shipping time 62 Shipping and handling charges 62

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"Adrian Garibaldi, Carrollton, TX (Seller ID: “abtechnology”)"

http://shop.ebay.com/member/_W0QQ_dmdZ1?_frompage=itemsbyseller&_userid=abtechnology&_fcm=1&_tokentext=666483&_tokenstring=LPkUJAMAAAA%253D&_sop=12&_ipg=50

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=abtechnology&ftab=AllFeedback

abtechnology ( 139)

2 years 0 months

TX,United States

	abtechnology ( 139) Not a registered user
	Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 95%
	Member since: Nov-21-06 in United States

Recent Feedback Ratings (last 12 months)   1 month 6 months 12 months Positive 0 7 80 Neutral 0 0 0 Negative 0 2 4

Detailed Seller Ratings (last 12 months) Criteria Average rating Number of ratings Item as described 43 Communication 43 Shipping time 43 Shipping and handling charges 42

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"Tony Kornrumpf, Lookout Mountain, TN (Seller ID: “cyberpcs”)"

http://shop.ebay.com/member/_W0QQ_dmdZ1?_frompage=itemsbyseller&_userid=cyberpcs&_fcm=1&_tokentext=534474&_tokenstring=CUrCJAMAAAA%253D&_sop=12&_ipg=50

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=cyberpcs&ftab=AllFeedback

cyberpcs ( 19618)

10 years 5 months

TN,United States

CyberPCs

Seller's items

	cyberpcs ( 19618)
	Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 99.8% [How is Feedback Percentage calculated?]
	Member since: Jul-15-98 in United States

Recent Feedback Ratings (last 12 months)   1 month 6 months 12 months Positive 643 3692 9014 Neutral 1 6 18 Negative 0 11 19

Detailed Seller Ratings (last 12 months) Criteria Average rating Number of ratings Item as described 6505 Communication 6468 Shipping time 6501 Shipping and handling charges 6488

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The Seattle Times - Hit-and-run locker room theft ring busted, say feds

eBay/PayPal's take on the illegal sales is at least $330,000.  And the people and organizations defrauded will not see a penny of that returned.

As of LATE 21 November 2008, nexusi is "Not a registered user."  We would be interested in knowing if PayPal provides buyers refunds for the stolen goods purchased on eBay.

Of course according to PayPal, buyers must return the goods to the seller (nexusi) or PayPal before a refund is given.  At PayPal's discretion.

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http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=nexusi&ftab=AllFeedback&_trksid=p3911.c0.m198

Feedback Profile

	nexusi ( 2404) Not a registered user
	Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 99.8%
	Member since: Sep-14-98 in United States

Recent Feedback Ratings (last 12 months)   1 month 6 months 12 months Positive 25 212 485 Neutral 0 1 1 Negative 0 0 1

Detailed Seller Ratings (last 12 months) Criteria Average rating Number of ratings Item as described 343 Communication 346 Shipping time 345 Shipping and handling charges 346

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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008415981_webidtheft20m.html

Hit-and-run locker room theft ring busted, say feds

Authorities have broken up a gang gym thieves they say was responsible for using stolen credit cards to buy computers and other electronic equipment which was then sold for millions of dollars on eBay, according to federal charges.

By Mike Carter

Seattle Times staff reporter

Authorities have broken up a gang gym thieves they say was responsible for using stolen credit cards to buy computers and other electronic equipment which was then sold for millions of dollars on eBay, according to federal charges.

Officers assigned to a federal Electronic Crimes Task Force today arrested Billy Morris Britt, 36, of Seattle, and Gabriel K. Jang, 37, of Renton, on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Both appeared before U.S. Magistrate Brian Tsuchida this afternoon, where they were ordered held pending a detention hearing on Tuesday.

The pair are charged in a 40-page complaint alleging they and others stole hundreds of credit cards from gymnasium lockers in Washington and Oregon, created nearly instant fake identification in their cars, and then purchased expensive electronics equipment with those stolen cards within hours of the theft.

Detectives determined that many of those items were posted for sale on eBay within days.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Warma said the men operated what amounted to a "mobile counterfeiting lab" that could create within minutes realistic driver's licenses, bearing the names on the stolen credit cards and the photo of the thief.

She said several search and forfeiture warrants were served today as the men were arrested.

And thousands of people who bought electronics from Jang's company, Nexus Systems Inc., are being tracked down and told that they will have return their purchases, Warma said. Many of the items were "high-end computers and cameras," including Apple laptops, that were sold for thousands of dollars — but just under retail prices — on eBay by Jang as "overstock."

The thefts were so extensive that they had already caught the attention of police and of store security officers at the electronics big-box store, Best Buy.

Seattle police Detective David Dunn, assigned to the U.S. Secret Service-led task force, was able to track the thieves and tie the credit-card thefts to the purchases through an e-mail address that was linked to a Best Buy Rewards card that had been used hundreds of times.

Rewards cards provide loyal customers with special deals and other incentives for buying at the store. Britt had drawn suspicion to the card because it had been used more than 125 times using 77 different credit cards for purchases of more than $250,000.

The case opened in October 2007 when another Seattle detective, investigating a credit-card theft from a Seattle gym, contacted Dunn in October 2007 after learning that the rewards card had been presented when the stolen cards were used at a Best Buy.

The rewards card had been used with that purchase, and Britt was able to find the person whose name it was registered in. That individual said he had never opened a Best Buy account, but that his credit cards had been stolen from a Bellevue gym several years earlier and used at Best Buy before he could cancel them, according to the complaint.

Dunn was able to track the e-mail address on that card to Britt, and began following him, the complaint said.

Meantime, a Best Buy store investigator had become suspicious of the Rewards card and opened his own investigation. By watching eBay, he was able to track items purchased using the fraudulent Rewards card to identical items being sold just days — and sometimes hours — later on eBay by a broker named "Nexusi," an identification registered to Jang, according to the charges.

A financial investigation showed that $2 million from the sale of electronic goods had passed through a PayPal account used by Jang since 2004, and another $1.3 million into a checking account traced to Jang.

Britt was arrested in October at a Best Buy after a clerk became suspicious. Investigators found a card-reading device in his car often used by credit-card thieves, the complaint says.

Warma said hundreds of gym locker rooms in Washington and Oregon were hit over the years and the thieves were smart: they'd take only one or two cards from a wallet, leave the cash, and replace the wallet where they found it. Often, the thefts went unnoticed for hours.

"In the meantime, they're buying a couple of MacBooks while you're in the shower," she said.

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Comments

gbayemporium ( 13568) View seller's items | View Blog wow, that's wild. What a tool, using the same rewards card for all those different purchases! Nov-21-08 02:14:49 PST

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The Epoch Times - MI5 Discover Al-Qaeda Buying Ambulances on Ebay

In case you are wondering what eBay really cares about.

• "sold on eBay for as little as £1,500 ($2,230)"

That represents between $200 to $400 in fees collected by eBay/PayPal.

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http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/world/mi5--al-qaeda-ambulances--ebay-suicide-bombers-7222.html

MI5 Discover Al-Qaeda Buying Ambulances on Ebay

By Gordon Thomas
G2 Magazine

London—MI5 have warned Britain’s cash-strapped National Health Services that dozens of ambulances–along with old police cars and fire engines past their sell-by date–are being snapped up by al-Qaeda operatives in the United Kingdom to mount suicide bomb attacks.

So serious is the problem that counter-terrorism officials at the Home Office have written to eBay, the Internet auctioneer, asking them to stop selling emergency service vehicles, equipment and uniforms.

But eBay has insisted it can only halt the sales if a new law is passed by Parliament.  That could take many months to enact.

The use of ambulances is of particular concern to Britain’s terrorist chiefs.  They say the tactic has already been used in Iraq with devastating effects.

A report by Lord Carlisle–the government terrorist czar who last month warned about the possibility of private planes being used for an attack on London–has been issued to all of Britain’s 48 police forces warning of the danger of selling-off emergency service vehicles.

Lord Carlisle, who works closely with the Terrorism Analysis Centre in London set up since the 9/11 attacks, said ambulances were the ideal weapon of choice for terrorists.

“It is almost rare that police will stop such vehicles on suspicious grounds.  An ambulance rigged with high explosives could drive into any ultra-sensitive target like a nuclear power station or even Whitehall”, said a senior MI5 source.

The Association of Chief Police Officers has warned that the risk could be “highly significant” if the law is not tightened.

Every year dozens of police cars, ambulances and even fire engines are sold on eBay for as little as £1,500 ($2,230).

Many are still in working order.  Those that need repair can be easily fixed to pass as genuine emergency service vehicles.

“An ambulance could carry half a ton of explosives.  A rigged police car could carry half that amount.  So could a fire engine”, states the MI5 report.

MI5 counter-terrorism officers say such attacks have been successfully carried out in Iraq and Israel.  

The report reveals that an al-Qaeda attack in Baghdad last February involved a stolen ambulance, which was driven by a suicide bomber into an Iraqi police station.

The report states: “Terrorists have been using ambulances to transport bombs in Israel since at least 2002.  The Israelis have told us that Hamas are using ambulances to ferry men and rocket launchers around Gaza”.

A national security committee has been set up in London with MI5 and police chiefs drawing up plans to deal with the threat.  Chairman of the committee, Steve Watts, said: “There is a need of urgent legislation becoming available to the police which adequately addresses the threat of pseudo-emergency service vehicles being used by terrorists”.

Lord Carlisle has suggested all service vehicles to be sold must be clearly decommissioned so they cannot be used to imitate emergency services.

Manufacturers of all such vehicles are being asked to urgently inspect vehicles taken out of service to see how this can be done.

Gordon Thomas is the author of a new edition of Gideon’s Spies: The Inside Story of Israel’s Legendary Secret Service, The Mossad, by JR Books of London and available on Amazon Books.
(C) G-2 Bulletin, Washington D.C., USA, and Gordon Thomas.

Last Updated
Nov 15, 2008

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Globe and Mail - Ottawa widens tax probe of eBay 'PowerSellers'

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081114.REBAY14/TPStory/Business

Ottawa widens tax probe of eBay 'PowerSellers'

Will expand investigation of site's top sellers after court rules in Canada Revenue Agency's favour

PAUL WALDIE

November 14, 2008

Federal tax officials are expanding a sweeping investigation into users of eBay Canada to determine whether more than 10,000 sellers have reported all the revenue they earned.

The Canada Revenue Agency launched the probe about two years ago and initially focused on all eBay Canada "PowerSellers" in 2004 and 2005, which totalled about 10,000 people. The agency recently told eBay Canada it plans to expand the investigation to include all PowerSellers in 2006 and 2007 as well, putting several thousand more people under review.

The PowerSeller program is a popular feature of eBay Canada. There are several PowerSeller levels and it takes about $3,000 in annual sales to qualify. PowerSellers receive various benefits from eBay Canada.

The CRA's investigation has been stymied by eBay Canada because it has refused to turn over information about PowerSellers. The company argued the information was stored on parent eBay Inc.'s computers in the United States and beyond the reach of the CRA. It also argued the CRA's probe was too broad and amounted to a "fishing expedition."

The dispute landed in court and last week the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed eBay's arguments. The court ruled the company has easy access to the records "with the click of a mouse," putting them within the bounds of the CRA.

It also upheld the CRA's power to conduct investigations of groups of people to ensure compliance with the Income Tax Act.

The court ordered eBay Canada to hand over the names, contact information and gross sales figures for the PowerSellers. The company said it will start turning over the material next week.

eBay Canada told users on its website yesterday that the ruling includes Canadian PowerSellers who sold goods through eBay sites in the United States and elsewhere. It also covers anyone who was a PowerSeller for even a few months.

Given the CRA's intention to expand the probe "we would like to remind sellers once again that they are responsible for ensuring that they are in compliance with all laws and regulations relating to their activities online," Scott Shipman, eBay Canada's senior counsel, said in the notice. "A change in PowerSeller status at this time will not alter our information disclosure requirement."

Andrew Sloss, eBay Canada's manager, said the company vigorously disagreed with the court ruling but it had run out of legal appeals.

"We're just alarmed by this," Mr. Sloss said in an interview yesterday. "I think everyone who values their privacy should find this alarming. This is a slippery slope. I mean, who will be the next people who will be the product of a government fishing expedition and have their privacy rights compromised?"

James Applegath, a PowerSeller who runs a T-shirt business in Toronto, said the CRA probe has startled many eBay sellers.

"It's kind of caused a little bit of a panic amongst everyone because it's not difficult really to achieve [PowerSeller status]," Mr. Applegath said.

Mr. Applegath is helping other PowerSellers with the CRA investigation and he said many non-business sellers don't have records going back to 2004.

"For the most part, it's a no brainer. If you are running a business, you've got to declare that revenue," he said. "The panic is from people who may not have been running a business and used eBay recreationally. Are these people in trouble? They want to know what information is being released about them."

A CRA spokeswoman declined to comment on the investigation.

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Space.com - Out There: Space Traffic Control System Needed

http://www.space.com/news/081109-space-traffic.html

Out There: Space Traffic Control System Needed
By SPACE.com Staff

posted: 09 November 2008
11:41 am ET

The orbital space around Earth has become a busy thoroughfare of satellites operated by several nations. The region is also littered with dead and dying satellites, plus bits of debris ranging from large and dangerous chunks to potentially deadly nuts and bolts and even hazardous chips of paint.

Just as airlines work under an air traffic control system, it's time for a space traffic management system, some experts say.

In fact, work has begun on a blueprint for a first step toward that goal: a civilian space situational awareness system.

Military and civilian cooperation

There are some 4,000 rocket bodies and satellites, dead or alive, orbiting Earth. In addition, more than 6,000 other large, observable and tracked bits of debris float around up there. More than 200,000 smaller bits bigger than 1 centimeter -- still potentially dangerous but not tracked -- are thought to be in orbit. Much of this material moves at 17,500 mph.

A Chinese anti-satellite test last year created a whopping new cloud of debris that experts called the most prolific and severe fragmentation in space ever.

Satellites and debris in low-Earth orbit can pose a threat to other satellites, space shuttles, and the International Space Station.

A recent meeting brought together hundreds of aerospace safety experts from America, Europe, Russia, and China to discuss all this. The International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) meeting was held October 21-23 in Rome.

The topic: Civil space situational awareness, or SSA.

Brian Weeden, Technical Consultant with the Secure World Foundation (SWF), a sponsor of the event, said until now SSA has generally only been talked about in a military context.

"SSA is extremely important for military space, but there is a significant need for SSA in civilian space as well," Weeden said. "This SSA system needs to work in an international context, much the same way as aviation does. But very few companies and States have the resources to fund and operate their own SSA network."

Global conversation

The conference has started a global conversation on the technology needed.

"Much of the data needed is already being collected by various actors, from scientific institutions to multinational companies to backyard satellite observers," Weeden said in a statement last week. "The difficulty is in breaking down the barriers between these disparate sources, making the different types and sources of data compatible, and distributing it in such a way as to protect the rights and privacy concerns of the different sources. It's definitely a challenge, but so far we haven't come across any insurmountable technical barriers."

Commercial companies who operate large, expensive communication satellites in the geostationary belt – a densely packed area 22,236 miles directly above the equator – have already recognized the importance of this and have started the process.

"Further, as military investment in space assets grow, it will be increasingly important to have a neutral, reliable source of SSA data for non-military actors," said Theresa Hitchens, Director of the Center for Defense Information in Washington, D.C.

Hitchens said a civil SSA structure could help ensure transparency and reduce tensions by providing data in an apolitical way.

"It seems to me that the effort by global satellite communication companies to develop better processes for sharing data among themselves and with governments is testimony to this need...as well as a solid first step," she said.

Up and running

T.S. Kelso, another conference participant, is a Senior Research Astrodynamicist for Analytical Graphics, Inc.'s Center for Space Standards and Innovation, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Kelso runs CelesTrak, an on-line satellite tracking tool that uses orbital data provided by U.S. military's North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

The analyst also offers Satellite Orbital Conjunction Reports Assessing Threatening Encounters in Space - or SOCRATES for short. This service provides regular information on pending conjunctions on orbit over the coming week. The goal is to help satellite operators avoid undesired close approaches through advanced mission planning.

Kelso is teamed with eight operators of satellites in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO), receiving orbital data directly from them for 124 satellites to establish SOCRATES-GEO. "We are able to use this data...to provide much better SSA for predicting and avoiding close approaches," he said.

To enhance overall satellite situational awareness, "we're encouraging as many satellite operators to participate as possible, since the more that participate, the better the overall SSA," Kelso said.

SWF's Weeden foresees a system where commercial entities and States voluntarily pool their SSA data – with information then made available to all participants.

"Our goal is to bring more participants into this system and expand it into other congested and high-value areas of Earth orbit, such as Sun-synchronous orbit," Weeden adds. "Eventually, such an international, civil SSA system might form the foundation for a global space traffic management system."

Comments

moonmadness wrote:

actually that would be Andy Griffith.

Salvage 1

1979

posted 11/9/2008 7:13:51 PM

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This is Hampshire - Anger as gifts to QE2 crew are sold on eBay

http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/hampshirenews/3818005.Anger_as_gifts_to_QE2_crew_are_sold_on_eBay/

Anger as gifts to QE2 crew are sold on eBay

4:30pm Tuesday 4th November 2008

THEY were meant to be a private, personal gift from the master of Queen Elizabeth 2 to commemorate the liner’s 40 years in Southampton.

So Captain Ian McNaught was stunned when scores of the surprise presents went missing, only to reappear for sale on the Internet for £100 each.

Captain McNaught and his wife Sue were keen to mark QE2’s final, historic voyage and so the couple ordered 1,200 highly collectable badges to be given to each crew member as the liner leaves Southampton for Dubai next Tuesday.

Shipping memorabilia, especially anything connected with QE2, is greatly sought after by maritime collectors around the world. One inquiry listed on the auction website was from a collector in Melbourne, Australia.

Hampshire police have now issued a warning to anyone tempted to buy one of the specially designed pins over the Internet that they risk having to forfeit the item and also lose any money paid to obtain the badge.

The Internet site offering the badges together with a certificate of authenticity states: “This is your chance to own a certificate of the QE2’s last ever cruise along with an enamel lapel badge which reads ‘QE2 Final Voyage with Captain McNaught’. The certificate reads ‘Final Voyage to Dubai’ also has the above dates and ports of call’. This is authentic 100 per cent.’’ Mrs McNaught said: “It was obvious when the box of badges arrived that sometime between leaving the manufacturers and arriving on QE2 it had been opened and then re-sealed.

“When we looked inside the box we discovered 100 badges, which are in the shape of my husband’s epaulettes showing the rank of captain, had disappeared. Then when we heard that they were being offered on eBay for anything between £75 and £100 I immediately contacted the police in Southampton.

“It is so disappointing as we wanted to give all the crew something with which to remember their time on QE2 but now it has all been spoiled.”

Hampshire police confirmed that they were actively investigating Mrs McNaught’s complaint about the missing badges.

A spokesman said: “As part of the investigation we shall be contacting eBay’s fraud section and we would urge anyone using the Internet not to buy the badges. If people are found in possession of stolen goods they could lose both the item and the money used in payment.’’ One potential buyer queried the authenticity of the badges and was told they were part of a gift pack.

An eBay spokesman confirmed the company would take action against any site users suspected of selling stolen goods once they were contacted by the police.

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Market Watch - SIIA's 'Don't Get Mad, Get Even' Campaign Extended as Cheated Consumers Fight Back Against Software Pirates

You too can earn $500 shopping on eBay.

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Original article:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/SIIAs-Dont-Get-Mad-Get/story.aspx?guid={72E7B4B7-8A00-4550-8324-FBBA51BBD2BA}

SIIA's 'Don't Get Mad, Get Even' Campaign Extended as Cheated Consumers Fight Back Against Software Pirates

Last update: 10:50 a.m. EDT Oct. 30, 2008

WASHINGTON, Oct 30, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Victims of Auction Fraud Who Purchased Pirated Software Online Can be Awarded up to $500 For Reporting Counterfeit Sellers

Consumers Speak Out Against Fraudulent Software Sales!

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital information industries, today announced it is extending its successful "Don't Get Mad, Get Even" anti-piracy campaign in its fight to help protect consumers who purchased illegal software online. The campaign allows buyers who purchased counterfeit software on auction websites such as eBay to get even with a fraudulent seller by reporting them to SIIA, which will then pay them up to $500 to purchase a legitimate copy of the software.

"Auction sellers who sell pirated software hurt the software industry and take advantage of innocent consumers," noted Keith Kupferschmid, Senior Vice President for Intellectual Property Policy & Enforcement. "The 'Don't Get Mad, Get Even' program continues to provide consumers a way to retaliate against online auction sellers who duped them into buying pirated software."

"Not only does this program help us identify illegal software sellers, but it sends a powerful message to auction site pirates. After SIIA launched the first campaign last year, sales of software on eBay dropped by 33 percent. In addition to protecting consumers, this program will help SIIA put fraudulent sellers out of business, and make potential pirates think twice," Kupferschmid added.

The "Don't Get Mad, Get Even" campaign will now be extended to January 15, 2009, as consumers continue to fight back and speak up in the fight against piracy.

According to recent illegal auction software customer Steve Coddington, "I recently purchased a software program through an online dealer at a discounted rate. When I received the software, I discovered it was pirated. I felt ripped off. Sure, the software program might have seemed exactly the same, but I paid for an original, NOT a copy of a knock-off!"

Unfortunately, instances such as the one faced by Coddington are all too common. Another consumer recently faced similar circumstances when he purchased through Amazon.com. According to customer Steve Taylor, "I bought two copies of Adobe Photoshop through Amazon, thinking that these would be authentic products. Because it was through Amazon, I thought it was safe to buy them, but I was mistaken. It turned out that both copies were counterfeit. They were bought through two different storefronts. When I notified one storefront, they refunded my money. The other told me I was trying to rip them off and would not refund me. Then I heard about "Don't Get Mad, Get Even," and filled out the forms for both software copies. A week later, I heard back from the DGMGE program, and they are working to resolve this situation for me."

In order to participate in "Don't Get Mad, Get Even," individuals who have inadvertently purchased pirated software on an auction site must complete an online application and submit it to SIIA by no later than 5 p.m. EST on January 15, 2009. Those who satisfy all eligibility requirements necessary to participate in the program will be eligible to receive up to $500 from SIIA. The payment is intended to encourage the buyer to replace the counterfeit software with a legitimate copy, though consumers are free to use the money as they see fit.

"While the 'Don't Get Mad, Get Even' program gives consumers a way to fight back, it does not solve the problem," Kupferschmid continued. "Auction and classified ad sites must do more to stop counterfeit sellers. Until relevant sites take the steps needed to solve the problem, SIIA will continue to take the lead in protecting consumers and the software industry."

This program is part of an SIIA effort to combat online auction piracy. SIIA continues to sue sellers of counterfeit and illegal OEM and academic software through its Auction Litigation Program. SIIA has also published software buying guides that teach consumers the tricks used by unscrupulous sellers to lure them into buying illegal software and to instruct them on what questions to ask so they can avoid buying illegal software. Late last year, SIIA launched its ground-breaking Certified Software Reseller (CSR) Program(TM). Through this program, SIIA has, for the first time, begun certifying online vendors to resell software on eBay and other auction sites.

A list of qualifying conditions is posted at: www.siia.net/piracy/dgmge/

Full program terms and conditions are posted on the SIIA website at: www.siia.net/piracy/DGMGE_rules.pdf

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Detroit News - Detroit cop finds stolen equipment, suspect via Ebay

Original article:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081030/METRO/810300461/1410/METRO01

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Detroit cop finds stolen equipment, suspect via Ebay

George Hunter / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- The Ebay account claimed the seller of stolen industrial equipment lived in Dallas, Texas -- but the landscape in the photo on the Web site looked more like Detroit to Sgt. Jeffrey Wenturine.

Wenturine of Detroit's Eastern District was right: The seller didn't live in Dallas; he lived on East Outer Drive. The street's signature median provided the clue, and the result was the recovery of more than $50,000 worth of stolen equipment.

The events started Tuesday, when a thief broke into a surveyor's truck near Harper and Conner on Detroit's east side and stole $25,000 worth of surveying equipment. Wenturine, who was assigned the case, perused Ebay to see if the equipment would turn up there. It did.

"There was a picture of the equipment, and in the background was a unique, white picket fence," Sgt. Erin Stephens-Bell said. "You could also see the street in the background, and Sgt. Wenturine thought it looked familiar. There was a median that looked like Outer Drive."

Wenturine drove up and down Outer Drive for several hours until he spotted the white fence. Sure enough, it matched the Ebay photograph, they matched.

Based on that information, police were able to obtain a search warrant. Officers on Thursday raided the home in the 9300 block of East Outer Drive and recovered more than $50,000 worth of stolen equipment that included industrial equipment, electronic scopes and the original surveying equipment that was stolen Tuesday.

"The officers also found five handguns and three rifles in the home," Stephens-Bell said. "Plus, (the suspect) was a felon who was on parole."

The man was taken into custody. He is expected to be charged within three days.

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IACC - The International Anticounterfeiting Coalition Applauds Tiffany vs. Ebay Appeal

Original article:
http://www.iacc.org/news/index.php?id=46

22 October 2008

The International Anticounterfeiting Coalition Applauds Tiffany vs. Ebay Appeal

WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, Tiffany announced the filing of a "Notice of Appeal" with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit challenging a recent court ruling by the Southern District of New York in the case of Tiffany v. eBay.

"Tiffany's decision to appeal is the right thing to do" said IACC President Bob Barchiesi. "The IACC is extremely disappointed in the Southern District of New York's recent decision in the case of Tiffany v. eBay and the IACC applauds Tiffany's resoluteness to protect their brand and to protect consumers from being duped into purchasing fake products online" said Mr. Barchiesi.

The court's decision comes on the heels of a ruling by a French court which similarly weighed the question of on whom the responsibility should lie, in keeping the online marketplace free of illegitimate goods. That court determined that the responsibility must fall with the online marketplace, eBay.

"Stated simply, the French court got it right" said Bob Barchiesi.

The court's ruling in the Tiffany case allows sellers of counterfeit goods on eBay to continue to victimize consumers and legitimate retailers and manufacturers. The IACC not only champions the rights of trademark owners to protect against losses resulting from the sale of counterfeits; but seeks to protect and educate members of the public and eBay consumers who may believe they are buying authentic items on eBay, when in fact there is a great chance that they are buying counterfeit goods.

About the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC)
The International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition, Inc. (IACC) is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization devoted solely to combating product counterfeiting and piracy. Formed in 1978, today the IACC is comprised of a cross section of business and industry - from autos, apparel, luxury goods, and pharmaceuticals, to food, software and entertainment. The IACC's members' combined annual revenues exceed $650 billion. The touchstone of the IACC's mission is to combat counterfeiting and piracy by promoting laws, regulations and directives designed to render the theft of intellectual property undesirable and unprofitable.

For further information, please contact:
Robert Barchiesi
President, IACC
202-223-6667
bbarchiesi@iacc.org

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Original article:
http://www.iacc.org/news/index.php

International Anti Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) Urges U.S. Appeals Court to Hold eBay Contributorily Liable for Continuing Rampant Internet Sales of Counterfeit Goods

-- Blatant Counterfeit and Infringing Goods Continue to Be Offered for Sale on eBay-- --IACC Warns of Harm to Consumers and Businesses from Continuing Counterfeit Trade on eBay --

Last update: 4:13 p.m. EDT Oct. 22, 2008

NEW YORK, Oct 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) announced today that it has filed an amicus ("friend of the court") brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in support of Tiffany's appeal in its lawsuit against eBay. The brief references eBay's persistent failure to meet its obligations to prevent illegal sales of counterfeit and infringing goods on its site and explains why the Court should hold eBay contributorily liable for its failure to do so.

The law is clear: if a marketplace operator either actually knows, or should have known about widespread counterfeiting, it is obligated to take action both to prevent that illegal conduct and to stop providing services to those engaged in the violation. Tiffany sent eBay 20,915 notices about the "deluge of counterfeit merchandise" in 2003; 45,242 in 2004; 59,012 in 2005; and 134,779 in 2006. Despite being aware of the continuing extraordinary ongoing volume of counterfeit Tiffany trade on its site, eBay continued to provide material assistance to direct infringers rather than implementing policies that could have reduced the volume of counterfeit items, the IACC brief says.

Robert Barchiesi, President of the IACC said, "Counterfeiting is a criminal activity carried out on global scale and, with eBay turning a blind eye, broadly on the Internet. In fact, eBay is estimated to provide the forum for 29 percent of the entire online counterfeit market, which has widespread public health and safety hazards, as well as causing substantial economic harm to legitimate business. Therefore, we need to take vigilant action to prevent it.

"It is not acceptable that today eBay still tolerates blatant counterfeits being sold on its website. The lower court's ruling in Tiffany's suit against eBay, if left to stand, would result in consumers continuing to be victimized, and place an impossibly onerous burden on trademark owners to police the eBay site on their own. Our brief asks the Court to recognize both eBay's contributory and direct liability as well as the pressing need to take action to protect consumers."

Mr. Barchiesi continued, "The Court must prevent eBay both from providing the online marketplace necessary for criminals to conduct infringing and counterfeit transactions, and also from assisting sellers in promoting illegal sales. The counterfeit trade has direct negative consequences for consumers, who are routinely deceived into purchasing illegal counterfeit goods--especially when making purchases online, without an opportunity to personally inspect the goods--and to legitimate businesses throughout the world who are the victims of such blatantly illegal activity.

"If the law is applied correctly and the Court holds eBay responsible for the open and notorious counterfeiting that occurs, with its knowledge and to its economic benefit on its sites, there is no doubt it will lead to new policies and procedures designed to deter the counterfeit trade at all online markets. This will result in less piracy and counterfeiting, thus improving the overall climate for legitimate businesses and consumers of genuine products."

According to FBI, Interpol, World Customs Organization and International Chamber of Commerce estimates, roughly 7-8 percent of world trade every year is in counterfeit goods. United States "businesses and industries lose about $200 billion a year in revenue and 750,000 jobs due to the counterfeiting of merchandise"; worldwide, counterfeiting accounts for more than half a trillion dollars in global trade each year.

The IACC's brief was filed in connection with the lawsuit filed in 2004 by Tiffany and Company and Tiffany (NJ), Inc. against eBay for trademark violation and on which the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled in July 2008. Tiffany has filed an appeal of the July ruling in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

The IACC is committed to championing the rights of trademark owners and the consumers who purchase their goods. To this end, until the U.S. judicial system takes appropriate action with respect to eBay in forcing it to more aggressively fight the proliferation of counterfeit sales through its site, the IACC warns consumers that they should not feel confident in the legitimacy of certain of the products they acquire on eBay.

SOURCE: The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition

IACC 
Robert Barchiesi, 845-629-4220 
President

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Yahoo! Tech - TSA agent steals $200K worth of gear, resells it on eBay

Original article:
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/107092

TSA agent steals $200K worth of gear, resells it on eBay

Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:43PM EDT

Christopher Null: The Working Guy

The TSA reached a mind-boggling new low in customer service this week when it was revealed that one agent had single-handedly absconded with over $200,000 worth of travelers' belongings, primarily cameras and laptops, and proceeded to unload his booty on eBay. His latest haul: A near-$50,000 camera that an HBO employee had been traveling with.

The culprit is one Pythias Brown, a New Jersey resident who worked in the TSA department at Newark Liberty Airport. Finally busted, police discovered an inventory of 66 cameras, 31 laptops, assorted jewelry, and more when they searched his home. How'd he finally get caught? Brown snagged a camera belonging to CNN, and they found it for sale on eBay, where Brown had been converting the gear into cash.

Brown's been doing a great job of it too, with a near-perfect feedback rating on eBay.

Of note: Brown appears to have been taking items from checked luggage in the back rooms of the airport, not carry-ons. (One has to imagine you'd notice your $50,000 camera was missing after it came off the x-ray line.) But since consumers are no longer allowed to lock their luggage (or, at least, the TSA is allowed to break those locks as it sees fit), travelers have no real means of protection when it comes to guarding against inside job thievery like this.

What do you do if you need to get something expensive from point A to point B but can't carry it on the plane? Advance shipping through FedEx and the like seems like the only real solution: At least with shipping carriers you can insure the package against damage and theft. But sadly, your contract with the airlines absolves them of virtually all liability when things like this happen.

Another good reason to ship instead of check a bag? Given that airlines now charge up to a whopping $250 for a checked bag, it may now actually be cheaper to have FedEx pick up your stuff at your house and drop it at your destination. How's that for progress?

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http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=alirla&ftab=AllFeedback&myworld=true

Feedback Profile

	alirla ( 415) Not a registered user
	Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 100%
	Member since: Jun-10-04 in United States

Recent Feedback Ratings (last 12 months)   1 month 6 months 12 months Positive 7 84 205 Neutral 0 0 1 Negative 0 0 0

Detailed Seller Ratings (last 12 months) Criteria Average rating Number of ratings Item as described 84 Communication 84 Shipping time 83 Shipping and handling charges 83

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Feedback as a seller

260 Feedback received (viewing 1-25)

	Feedback	From Buyer / Price	Date / Time
	Exactly as described, quick shipping, solid gold seller, Thanks!!!!	ed65vette ( 72)	Oct-02-08 16:47
	CANON 70-200MM F2.8 IS USM CAMERA LENS (#330273445930)	US $1,377.00	View Item
	fast,friendly,awesome product. just as described. will do business again. A+++++	rmccrobie31 ( 2 )	Sep-29-08 00:06
	SONY CYBER-SHOT DSC-H2 6.0 MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL CAMERA (#330266370672)	US $187.50	View Item
	Great doing business, everything is in great condition and works awesome. Thanks	jdidosza ( 175)	Sep-25-08 19:20
	2POCKETWIZARD PLUS II AUTO-SENSING WIRELESS TRANSCEIVER (#330270282144)	US $290.00	View Item
	Item as described	alroy101 ( 11)	Sep-21-08 08:00
	NIKON NIKKOR 70-200MM F/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR LENS (#330268673893)	US $1,400.00	View Item
	excellent product and fast service.	madamaird ( 36)	Sep-17-08 16:45
	APPLE MACBOOK PRO 15" 2.4 GHZ, 2GB, 200GB, LEOPARD (#330268578840)	US $1,600.00	View Item
	great deal, item was accurately presented and shipped quickly	edwardjweber ( 40)	Sep-15-08 15:55
	CANON EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT WITH 18-55 & 28-210MM LENS (#330268925938)	US $405.00	View Item
	thank you,great item A++++	romanalex74 ( 754)	Sep-12-08 20:22
	SONY DCR-DVD710 DVD HANDYCAM CAMCORDER (#330265931216)	US $227.50	View Item
	todo perfecto,AAA++++++++++	americaral ( 363)	Sep-05-08 15:57
	OLYMPUS EVOLT E-500 8 MP SLR W/14-45 & 40-150MM LENS (#230275181691)	US $355.00	View Item
	Quick easy transaction. Pleasure to work with.	landon_bryan16 ( 11)	Sep-02-08 10:19
	SONY DCR-PC115 MiNiDV HANDYCAM CAMCORDER (#330265917361)	US $200.00	View Item
	amazing picture on hd tv. super price,sellerAAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++++++++++++	cape455 ( 91)	Aug-27-08 17:01
	CANON VIXIA HV-30 HD MINI DV CAMCORDER CAMERA (#330260399492)	US $600.00	View Item
	everything ok	szmajeczka ( 155)	Aug-25-08 06:55
	CANON EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTI WITH 2 PRO LENS (#330252338405)	US $550.00	View Item
	everything ok	szmajeczka ( 155)	Aug-25-08 06:54
	NIKON AF-S VR 70-200MM F/2.8 G IF ED 70-200MM NIKKOR (#330250289673)	US $1,600.00	View Item
	arrived safe and well, just as posted, excellent thanks	waldron4826 ( 46)	Aug-22-08 20:29
	SONY HANDYCAM DCR-TRV27 MINIDV CAMCORDER CAMERA (#330255807889)	US $250.00	View Item
	First Class Seller.Bought the item friday afternoon recieved it Monday PM Thanks	linatreasures ( 66)	Aug-19-08 14:31
	SONY DCR-DVD108 DVD HANDYCAM CAMCORDER WITH 40X OPTICAL (#230279557982)	US $179.00	View Item
	item was as described -works great	123-familyshopping ( 8 )	Aug-14-08 17:54
	MAGELLAN ROADMATE 2200T CAR GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM 2200 (#230275181983)	US $88.88	View Item
	many thanks, OK.	dominiczka007 ( 625)	Jul-24-08 02:07
	CANON EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTI WITH 18-55MM LENS (#330249386161)	US $510.00	View Item
	Good buyer, highly recommended	szmajeczka ( 155)	Jul-23-08 14:33
	CANON EOS DIGITAL REBEL 6.3 MEGALPIXEL CAMERA W/ 2 LENS (#230267085435)	US $650.00	View Item
	Good buyer, highly recommended	szmajeczka ( 155)	Jul-23-08 14:33
	HP PAVILLION DV9819WM DUAL CORE 3G 160GB 17" DVDRW WEB (#330249398318)	US $660.00	View Item
	Received, almost as described. Still happy with the camera for the price.	kuminamojamom ( 214)	Jul-23-08 07:53
	CANON EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTI WITH 18-55MM LENS (#230267739642)	US $542.00	View Item
Detailed item information is not available for the following items because the Feedback is over 90 days old.
	Good, everything was fine.	bolindrin ( 7 )	Jul-15-08 11:16
	-- (#230267093049)	--
	Thanks for the fast shipment.Love the camera.	skennyevil ( 39)	Jul-14-08 13:57
	-- (#330249365822)	--
	Good product. Shipping fine. Thanks a lot.	szmajeczka ( 155)	Jul-13-08 14:05
	-- (#330245553554)	--
	Good product. Shipping fine. Thanks a lot.	szmajeczka ( 155)	Jul-13-08 14:05
	-- (#330246035293)	--
	Good product. Shipping fine. Thanks a lot.	szmajeczka ( 155)	Jul-13-08 14:05
	-- (#330240441522)	--
	Good product. Shipping fine. Thanks a lot.	szmajeczka ( 155)	Jul-13-08 14:05
	-- (#330241785439)	--

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The Register - Romanian national cops to $700,000 phishing trip

See related article:

Sergiu D. Popa Response To Dan Browning Star Tribune Article
http://eventhorizon1984.typepad.com/event_horizon_1984_blog/2007/06/from-ebay-sto-4.html

Sergiu Daniel Popa's eBay user account spopa2006 ( 3 ) remains active, along with his access to eBay's Developer site.

eBay programmers and Developers are working on software to allow buyers to input their credit card information directly on the eBay site.

So your credit card can be safe.

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Original article:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/09/romanian_phishing_guilty_plea/

Romanian national cops to $700,000 phishing trip

Who's your underworld Popa?

By Dan Goodin in San Francisco 

Posted in Crime, 9th October 2008 18:47 GMT

A 22-year-old Romanian national has admitted he participated in a US-based phishing operation that raked in some $700,000 over a three-year period.

Sergiu Daniel Popa, who for the past seven years has lived in New York and Michigan, pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis to two felonies related to the scheme. He faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of $500,000. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

According to Popa's plea agreement, the scheme snagged the identities of 7,000 individuals who suffered a net loss of about $700,000. When his house was searched earlier this year, authorities found a machine for imprinting graphics on blank plastic cards, foil ribbons for making holographic images that appear on finished cards, blank cards, and partially created fraudulent drivers' licenses.

Investigators also recovered "tens of thousands" of email addresses in his Yahoo email account that he kept for the purpose of sending phishing emails that tried to trick the recipient into divulging sensitive information, such as their bank account numbers.

Like many online criminals, Popa was infused with a strong sense of impunity and hubris, court documents suggest.

"Listen up," he wrote to one associate in a January 2005 email. "I am a accredited [sic] vendor in underworld. I have many scams, shop admins, and many full info credit cards. I can also pull up credit reports and cash out ATMs. I charge for my services but I am a great provider of everything."

Popa also possessed pre-built websites spoofing the online destinations of multiple financial institutions, such as PayPal, SunTrust Bank, and CitiBank, according to an affidavit filed in the case. He offered to sell phishing kits with step-by-step instructions for $1,500 and software and hardware capable of counterfeiting credit cards.

According to the affidavit, Popa was sentenced to 71 days in jail in Michigan in 2006 after being charged for using a hijacked eBay account to defraud someone into paying $1,448 for an item that didn't exist.

FBI agents began their investigation of Popa in early 2005. He was charged in a sealed criminal complaint in February. ®

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Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Cyber crime on the rise

Original article:
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2008/s2380759.htm

Cyber crime on the rise

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Broadcast: 02/10/2008

Reporter: Kerry Brewster

Buying goods or services on the internet has become common practice for many Australians, but some cyber consumers have become victims to rogue sellers who fail to deliver. How common is online fraud and what are Australian authorities doing about it?

Transcript

ALI MOORE, PRESENTER: Cars, whitegoods, furniture, the Internet has it all; people are these days buying it online. It's convenient but is it safe.

There's a growing list of cyber consumers claiming to be victims of rogue sellers who fail to deliver the goods.

Police regard online fraud as a new growth industry, and popular auction sites, such as eBay are obvious targets.

How safe is it to buy online? And are services like eBay doing enough to protect buyers and sellers?

Kerry Brewster reports.

KERRY BREWSTER, REPORTER: Each day distressed eBay buyers add their voices to hundreds of complaints against a single trader.

ROBERT VANDERMEER: And I'm just looking at a screen full of it here, did not receive item, have not received item, worst eBayer ever, don't buy from this fraudster.

We've rogue sellers on there who ought not be on there and eBay are not doing enough to keep those sorts of sellers out.

DAN FEILER, EBAY SPOKESMAN: EBay takes online fraud extremely seriously. We’ve over 2,000 trust and safety personnel; they're employees who work around the clock, 24/7, trying to minimise any issue.

KERRY BREWSTER: Former BP executive Robert Vandermeer bought and sold for years on eBay without a problem.

But when a broken arm forced him inside to convalesce, his browsing led to the discovery that many others weren't so lucky.

What he's seeing here is the wreckage left by a New South Wales based iPod seller 'Daily Depot Deals', who has failed to deliver hundreds of iPods and is not responding to buyer’s complaints.

ROBERT VANDERMEER: Looks very much to me to be fraud.

KERRY BREWSTER: Of even more concern to Vandermeer is eBay's silence.

ROBERT VANDERMEER: eBay has gone to ground; they're not saying anything. So we have 200 victims, and counting, totally in the dark; they really don't know where they stand, where to go.

DAN FEILER: It's very easy from people who are looking at these things from outside without the full information, which unfortunately I am not at liberty to go into, because we do have a privacy agreement in place with all of our members.

But I can assure you we address these matters extremely proactively.

KERRY BREWSTER: While eBay maintains it's doing everything it can to prevent criminals operating on its site police have no doubt online fraud is a growth industry.

DETECTIVE SUPERINTENDENT BRIAN HAY, FRAUD & CORPORATE CRIME, QLD POLICE: Online fraud is a massive problem. It's very pervasive, it's out there, it's global.

KERRY BREWSTER: Brian Crooks is a victim of what may turn out to be the largest fraud committed on eBay in Australia. He lost more than $3,000.

BRIAN CROOKS, FRAUD VICTIM: I was looking for a quad for Brad's birthday because he really, really wanted one. And we browsed the through the Internet and we found one that fitted the bill exactly.

KERRY BREWSTER: Brisbane based ebusiness supplies, or EBS, was eBay's seventh largest seller in Australia.

To pay for the bike Brian Crooks used eBay's online payment system PayPal believing it protected him from fraud.

BRIAN CROOKS: PayPal is the only payment method that offers up to $20,000 in buyer protection.

KERRY BREWSTER: But six weeks later despite emailed assurances were EBS, there was still no bite.

BRIAN CROOKS: There's another one telling me they're going to close it. The second delivery date on the 10th of July when it didn't tune up, that's when the alarm bells to ring for me.

KERRY BREWSTER: EBS was days from liquidation. Its owner had reportedly fled to China, leaving behind around 2,000 buyers waiting in vain for performers worth more than $1 million. But was it fraud?

DETECTIVE SUPERINTENDENT BRIAN HAY: We're not experts in financial audits; we're not experts in going through companies records, it's perfectly normal that a liquidator would go in, they would wind up the assets of the company, they would look at the books, the balance sheets, if they find a problem, they then refer it to us, and that is normal business.

KERRY BREWSTER: Although PayPal set up a special compensation fund, promising refunds for all, Brian Crooks says months of frustrating correspondence with eBay and PayPal has left him feeling ripped off again.

BRIAN CROOKS: When you speak to them by the phone you're told that it'll be referred to another department, and then they keep asking you for details which you have already sent.

And then they keep asking you to file a dispute, which you've already filed, and then arbitrarily they just sent me an email to say "your dispute is now closed".

DAN FEILER: My understanding is that the vast majority of buyers were paid by PayPal. And that if buyers still haven't been paid they can still contact PayPal.

KERRY BREWSTER: So does PayPal guarantee buyer protection? The head of the ACCC has already warned eBay and its subsidiary PayPal that he's watching how they promote their buyer protection policy.

GRAEME SAMUEL, ACCC: If those terms and conditions are, for example, set out in small print, which people don't read or can't read or can't understand, then there's a prospect of consumers being confused to the point of being misled or deceived.

KERRY BREWSTER: In the EBS wash up it emerged eBay was in fact its largest creditor, owed a massive $184,000 in listing fees.

(To Dan Feiler) The 184,000 from EBS would have rung a few alarms?

DAN FEILER: We acted very, very promptly on this. We followed our due process, which I outlined earlier. And I think this... the amount we are owed really speaks more to the volume of listings that the seller had rather than the time frame.

KERRY BREWSTER: But Robert Vandermeer argues eBay must have known EBS was in financial trouble for months while continuing to extend credit to the ailing company

ROBERT VANDERMEER: EBS is their seventh largest seller, with sales of $2, 3, $4 million a year perhaps, then eBay profits quite well from the commissions on those sales.

So it's in their interest to prop up a seller and keep them selling, both from a reputation perspective and from a purely financial perspective.

KERRY BREWSTER: Whether the EBS debacle is revealed as fraud or not, the scandal led to calls for tougher regulations of the online marketplace.

ELIZABETH BEAL, FORMER DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS LAW CENTRE: I don't think there's any real motivation for eBay to stop fraud. They still benefit from fraudulent sellers because they still collect the fees.

KERRY BREWSTER: Elizabeth Beal oversaw a report into the rights of online consumers. Almost half of the eBay users she surveyed had experienced a bad purchase, with most buyers unable to find the seller or get a response from eBay.

ELIZABETH BEAL: eBay have an obligation to provide a safe system and operate in a way that prevents negligence, if they are benefitting from the transactions taking place. So in our view there are legal obligations on eBay that have not been fully tested.

KERRY BREWSTER: And what about that iPod seller Robert Vandermeer has been tracking. The same seller traded on eBay before; different name, but same story.

In the 60 days before he was deregistered in 2007, the complaints flooded in.

ROBERT VANDERMEER: This person hasn't changed their ways, and eBay has allowed them to re-establish and repeat the exercise.

DETECTIVE SUPERINTENDENT BRIAN HAY: Within minutes of getting that skimmed data they can clean out the accounts.

KERRY BREWSTER: According to police most online fraudsters are repeat offenders.

ELIZABETH BEAL: If eBay made it more difficult for persons to sell goods online without providing proper verification of who they were, then there would be less likely that rogues would enter the space.

KERRY BREWSTER: Why don't you conduct something like 100 point ID check?

DAN FEILER: Well, once again, in this day and age, when people can create all sorts of identities, that's not going to help. It's the activity that people do online that is the best indication.

KERRY BREWSTER: Watch this online space. If the US experience is anything to go buy, online fraud will grow as e commerce expands.

Brian Crooks bought a second quad bike for his beloved grandson; this time around he paid on pick up.

ALI MOORE: Kerry Brewster with that report.

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"Say it ain't so, Joe." - Isn't that the odd American sport of Baseball?

"Say it ain't so, Joe." - Isn't that the odd American sport of Baseball?
4 October 2008
Event Horizon 1984

"This is like deja vu all over again."
Yogi Berra

We're loathe to putting day to day politics on this blog.  There's enough aggravation in daily reading.  But with Major League Baseball into the playoff season, the injection of politics has us crossing the line.

"If you build it ... HE will come."
Shoeless Joe Jackson, Field of Dreams (1989)

If you're a fan of Baseball, or happen to be be the average American glued to the television or radio, you do know this piece of baseball history and mythology.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoeless_Joe_Jackson

In testimony before the grand jury, Jackson admitted under oath that he agreed to participate in the fix. He also admitted to complaining to other conspirators that he had not received his full $20,000 share. Legend has it that as Jackson was leaving the courthouse during the trial, a young boy begged of him, "Say it ain't so, Joe," and that Joe did not respond. In his 1949 interview in Sport Magazine, Jackson debunked this story as a myth.

In 1921, a Chicago jury acquitted him and his seven White Sox teammates of wrongdoing. Nevertheless, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the newly appointed Commissioner of Baseball, banned all eight accused players, claiming baseball's need to clean up its image took precedence over legal judgments. As a result, Jackson never played major league baseball after the 1920 season.

If you didn't know baseball, you probably wouldn't know this has been floating around the last 80 or so years.

"Say it ain't so, Joe"
Governor Palin, October 2008

"If you can't imitate him, don't copy him."
Yogi Berra

Or not?

"I grew up watching the summer baseball on these fields."
"In fact started out as a sports reporter. Sports have been a passion of mine of mine all my life, so I feel not at home here but I feel very ah comfortable in like this is a fun booth to be in."
Governor Sarah Palin, 29 August 2008
Donny Baarns interview during the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks and Mat-Su Miners game.
http://ballhype.com/video/alaska_governor_sarah_palin_interview/

Every four years American President's and Presidential contenders attend or watch the playoffs.  Mostly leaving the politics out of Baseball.  But this Presidential cycle just had to mix politics with American's most beloved pastime.

Politicians do us a favor. Leave Baseball out of it.

You should know better.

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"And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again."
Terence Mann, Field of Dreams (1989)

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CBC News - Skype messages being monitored in China, researchers say

Original article:
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/10/02/china-skype.html

Skype messages being monitored in China, researchers say

Last Updated: Thursday, October 2, 2008 | 12:08 PM ET

University of Toronto researchers have uncovered a huge filtering system in China that tracks and keeps records of text messages containing politically charged words sent through the internet phone application Skype.

The system keeps track of text messages, but not voice calls, sent through TOM-Skype, a joint venture between the Chinese wireless company TOM Online — a division of the Hong Kong-based TOM Group Ltd. — and eBay, the web auction company that bought online phone service Skype in 2005.

The discovery once again shines a spotlight on the collective internet filtering efforts at work in China — known as the Great Firewall of China — and raises the possibility that the data could be used for surveillance.

The report is from Citizen Lab, a group of security researchers and human rights activists who focus on the intersection of civic politics and digital media. The group is housed at the university's Munk Centre for International Studies.

The report, entitled Breaching Trust: An analysis of surveillance and security practices on China's TOM-Skype platform, was published Wednesday on the University of Toronto's Information Warfare Monitor website.

Nart Villeneuve, a research fellow at the Citizen Lab, made the discovery.

Villeneuve monitored data generated by TOM-Skype and noted that when offensive words were sent using the service, an encrypted message was sent to an internet address. The trail led him to TOM Online's computers, where, due to a security lapse, he was able to read their computer directories over the web.

He and his Citizen Lab colleagues were able to view, download and archive 166,766 unique messages that had been filtered and they successfully translated close to 100,000.

While some contained obscenity-filled language, many messages appeared to contain keywords related to sensitive topics such as the religious group Falun Gong, Taiwan independence and opposition to the Communist Party of China.

Keywords do not appear to be the only reason why certain messages were flagged, however, as the researchers were unable themselves to trigger the filtering of data by sending messages containing those words. The researchers suggest geography and known addresses may also play a role in what messages were being filtered. In addition to keeping track of the text in the messages, the system also recorded Skype caller information.

Further testing would be required to determine conclusively that the messages were being used for surveillance and not just filtering, say the report's authors. However, regardless of intent, they say the system could be used for surveillance.

Jennifer Caukin, an eBay spokeswoman, issued a statement to CBC News on Thursday saying in April 2006, Skype publicly disclosed that TOM operated a text filter that blocked certain words on chat messages but said it did not compromise TOM customers' privacy.

"Last night, we learned that this practice was changed without our knowledge or consent and we are extremely concerned. We deeply apologize for the breach of privacy relating to chat messages on TOM's servers in China and we are urgently addressing this situation with TOM," she wrote.

The Citizen Lab researchers said the report runs counter to the belief — popular among dissidents in China — that Skype's encryption technology protects users from government monitoring.

Citizen Lab head Ron Deibert and colleague Rafal Rohozinski said in the report the findings are further proof that even secure chats can leave a trace.

"This is a wake-up call to everyone who has ever put their (blind) faith in the assurances offered up by network intermediaries like Skype," they wrote. "Declarations and privacy policies are no substitute for the type of due diligence that the research put forth here represents."

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Hartford Courant - Two Years In Copyright Case

"FBI investigators found that Singarella was able to hide the feedback posted on eBay, concealing comments from past purchasers who reported that the items were pirated or "burned" copies."

Isn't amazing the amount of leeway eBay gives to their preferred sellers?

Incidentally eBay Inc's cut would have been about $10,000 on the stolen videos. And they're keeping the illegal proceeds.

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Original article:
http://www.courant.com/news/local/fc/hc-digbrf0927.art24sep27,0,2315709.story

Two Years In Copyright Case

September 27, 2008

BRIDGEPORT — - An East Hartford man who illegally reproduced movies and television shows and sold them over the Internet was sentenced Friday in federal court to two years in prison.

Steven T. Singarella, 53, of Raymond Street in East Hartford, who pleaded guilty July 9 to criminal copyright infringement, must also pay a $2,000 fine and will be on supervised release for two years after he leaves prison, Acting U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Nora R. Dannehy said in a prepared statement.

Singarella was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in Bridgeport. He was accused of illegally copying at least 55 movies and television shows between August 2004 and August 2006. He then advertised and sold the pirated works on eBay, making about $101,000 from the sale of about 8,000 pirated works during that period.

FBI investigators found that Singarella was able to hide the feedback posted on eBay, concealing comments from past purchasers who reported that the items were pirated or "burned" copies.

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Smell that MBA from Lehman Brothers

The Urbanite blog made a quick mention of one eBay auction.

http://weblogs.amny.com/entertainment/urbanite/blog/2008/09/on_ebay_its_going_going_gone_f.html
On eBay, it's going, going gone for Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch collectibles

"Ebay seller ny_dealmaker is selling a “Lehman Brothers Color Changing Travel Thermos.” The former employee writes: “Make my lose your gain.” "

We have the link to that auction, below. The auction description does make one wonder if this potential Lehman Brothers MBA is typical of the the late broker's staff.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lehman-Brothers-Color-Changing-Travel-Thermos_W0QQitemZ250295576079QQihZ015QQcategoryZ73502QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

"Own a piece of Lehman Brothers memorabilia. This is a thermos that changes color when you add liquid. It says Lehman Brothers behind the plastic. This is brand new and never been used. Make my lose your gain."

ny_dealmaker

Get your red pencils out.

"This is brand new and never been used. Make my lose your gain."

How about?

"This is brand new and has never been used. Make my loss your gain."

Doesn't this make you worry just a little about the eBay expertise of Lehman Brothers?  Given the fact that Lehman Brothers collapsed due to the expertise of Lehman Brothers.

http://onlyebay.blogspot.com/2007/12/citigroup-and-lehman-raise-ebay.html
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Citigroup and Lehman Raise EBAY Estimates

In a report released this morning, Citigroup analyst Mark Mahaney has raised his EBAY earnings estimates and reiterated his Buy rating, citing his tracking of proprietary listings. Mahaney states that fundamentals are shaping up stronger than consensus expectations. Mahaney claims that "re-entry into Japan and the growth of eBay's PayPal online payment service are also positives for the company's portfolio of brands." Mahaney has a $49 price target. Mahaney joins Lehman Brothers analyst Doug Anmuth, who earlier this week also raised his earnings estimates on EBAY despite maintaining his Hold rating and $33 price target.

eBay hit another 52 week record low of $21.70 per share.

Lehman Brothers is currently trading at $0.21 per share.

Pick up a buck's worth and make their "lose your gain."

Disclosure: Our English Grammar is terrible. So is our sense of humor.

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Australian IT - RBA to review PayPal, eBay link

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24314829-15306,00.html

RBA to review PayPal, eBay link

Fran Foo | September 09, 2008

THE Reserve Bank has summoned top executives from online auction house eBay Australia and its subsidiary, PayPal, to review their alleged anti-competitive behaviour, in a meeting to be held next month.

Feedback from eBay and PayPal customers reached a climax in late August when the RBA took the pair to task over several issues.

"The discussions will be held within the next month," an RBA spokesman said.

PayPal managing director Andrew Pipolo and eBay vice-president Simon Smith are expected to meet RBA officials then.

The meeting would look into surcharges applied for using PayPal and eBay's conduct in allegedly misleading customers into thinking that PayPal was the only payment method on its website.

It would also touch on eBay's new ruling to mandate the inclusion of PayPal as a payment mechanism on its website.

Previously, the RBA said: "Over recent months, the Payments System Board has received a number of comments on the no-surcharge and no-steering rules that apply to payments using the PayPal system as well as the mandated acceptance of PayPal on eBay's auction site.

"Where no-surcharge and no-steering rules have existed in other systems, the board has encouraged their removal on the grounds that these rules can diminish competition in the payments system.

"Consistent with this, the bank will shortly be holding discussions with PayPal with a view to seeking the removal of these rules."

The RBA's Payments System Board has myriad responsibilities, including determining the bank's payments system policy. Current PSB members include RBA governor Glenn Stevens and Australian Prudential Regulation Authority chairman John Laker.

The RBA has been receiving feedback on both online players from several parties and had made a submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission when eBay applied for immunity from the Trade Practices Act in April.

For the forthcoming meeting, it is understood that the bank is gathering additional information from other sources.

Around five months ago, eBay submitted an "exclusive dealing" notification to the ACCC so it could make PayPal mandatory on all sales listings from May 21, then bar all other payment methods from June 17.

After receiving 700-odd submissions, the highest number for an exclusive dealing notification, eBay dropped its case for PayPal exclusivity after an unfavourable ruling by the ACCC.

It has been a bumpy few months for eBay and PayPal.

They are reeling from the collapse of major eBay seller EBS International, which has gone into liquidation, leaving thousands of customers out of pocket.

In late July, a local eBay seller group wrote to the RBA requesting the bank block the web giant from mandating the use of PayPal on every (sales) listing.

They claimed eBay had misled customers into thinking that PayPal was the only safe payment method available.

"EBay cancels people's sales if they indicate a preference for payment by any means other than PayPal," they told the RBA.

They also expressed concern that when an eBay buyer uses PayPal for purchases, sellers are not allowed to pass on the additional charges.

IFAW - IFAW to eBay: First clean up your own site

http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=231763

Friday, September 05, 2008

(Yarmouth Port, MA – 5 September 2008) – IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare – www.ifaw.org) expressed dismay with eBay’s investment in a new “socially responsible” web site when it has not yet meaningfully addressed significant animal welfare and conservation issues on its own flagship site.

This week, eBay launched WorldofGood.com, billing it as “a new e-commerce marketplace” that offers “products that have a positive impact on people and the planet.” This contrasts with eBay’s global policies which IFAW has shown abdicate responsibility for the purchase and sale of endangered species on its sites worldwide. “We appreciate eBay taking a leadership role in making online shopping more ethical and transparent,” said Peter Pueschel, Director of IFAW’s Wildlife Trade program. “Unfortunately, the constructive goals of WorldofGood.com are a very small concession offered towards addressing a much larger problem.” Worldwide, the trade in illegal wildlife is estimated to be in the billions of dollars per year – a black market believed to be surpassed only by the illegal trade in drugs and guns. “If eBay doesn’t clean up its own site, it will continue to drive animals toward extinction by running a marketplace for people to buy and sell illegal wildlife products.”   The world is not good for animals like elephants which are threatened by the online trade in ivory. Through investigations, IFAW has found that eBay accounts for a large majority of potentially illegal ivory sold openly on the web. An IFAW report in 2007 revealed that at least 90% of all investigated ivory listings on eBay were legally suspect. Furthermore, a soon to be released 2008 IFAW investigation has revealed that ivory traded on eBay has significantly increased in the United States since the 2007 report. According to eBay, its new site allows “shoppers to see the positive social and environmental impact” of each purchase including whether it “supports animal species preservation.” Unfortunately, the flagship site does nothing to police the continued illegal trade of animal products on eBay’s main site. “Ironically, while one site purports to offer items that protect species the other is offering products that endanger species” said Jeffery Flocken, IFAW DC Office Director.” It is estimated that up to 20,000 elephants are killed each year to supply the illegal ivory trade.   “Until eBay bans the sale of ivory on all its websites and enforces its existing policies it will continue to play a role in driving endangered species to extinction.” said Flocken. “The problem isn’t that ethically responsible online shoppers don’t have a place to go to, the problem is that eBay needs to shut down the illegal trade on its main site before it’s too late.”

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From eBay Stores Forum - Has anyone went through this Credit Card Processing Verification?

Sellers with merchant accounts may want to keep this fax number for future reference:

To list items on eBay using merchant credit card, please provide the
following:
- a valid copy of your most recent merchant processing statement from a
bank/financial institution or is from an ISO/MSP.

Fax this information to (408) 904-7387.

Wally
eBay Fraud Prevention

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From eBay Stores Forum
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=520008242&tstart=0&mod=1220451520715

Has anyone went through this Credit Card Processing Verification?
ddh_****  (1307 )     Sep-01-08 20:49 PDT
Please forgive me if this has been discussed, but I couldn't locate a thread anywhere. I was in the process of updating all of my listings through TL, to remove money orders and checks, and add credit cards as an option, and when I went to upload them, I received this error message:

Attention!
We noticed that you chose to offer credit card as a payment option. To confirm that you can support this process, please fax a copy of your most recent merchant processing statement to (408) 904-7387. Please ensure the statement is complete and includes all pages.

Please include your eBay user ID, phone number and email address in the fax so that we can contact you.

While we confirm your merchant credit card account, you can continue listing items on eBay with PayPal as the payment method. PayPal is convenient to use and offers buyers and sellers protection against fraud, chargebacks, and theft of financial data.

While we confirm your merchant credit card account, you can continue listing items on eBay with PayPal as the payment method. PayPal is convenient to use and offers buyers and sellers protection against fraud, chargebacks, and theft of financial data.

Has anyone been through this process? I'm just wondering how long it will take, and if it's even worth it. It's really starting to look like they're trying to do everything they can to force us all to accept Paypal only, without coming right out and saying it.

mrbu****  (1101 )     Sep-02-08 06:36 PDT     1
It seems by your ebay listing choices you have indicated to them that you have your own merchant account outside of the paypal and ebay stream.

If this is fact I would go through with the ebay verification. I am not experienced with it but I would think it should not be a big deal. But as is with anything and ebay they could turn it into procedure.

Joe
Heres my sign

mini****  (994 )     Sep-02-08 06:48 PDT     2
I'm not sure I'd trust ebay or their representative who may be on the other end of that fax who may not even be in this country or speak english. I'm not sure I'm willing to fax info that would be so easily abused when I don't know where or to whom it is going.

sand****  (3441 )     Sep-02-08 07:20 PDT     3
I am with you on this one mini. No way would I provide Ebay with my AuthorizeNet account information. That includes my account and merchant numbers. If Ebay wants to establish a working relationship with the merchant account providers to verify it that's one thing. Faxing them MY transactions I don't think so! Not with their software security being like Swiss cheese. How would Ebay guarantee that information would not be hacked and jeopardize my own business off Ebay? I vividly recall that my business information walked out the door in a briefcase with a Paypal employee. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

ddh_****  (1307 )     Sep-02-08 09:03 PDT     4
That was my reaction too mini. I do have an Authorize.net merchant account, and I did indicate that I can accept credit cards, because I can. I do not, however, feel safe faxing them this financial information. They are "just a venue" after all, so why is it any of their business?
I guess I could send it to them, and black out all of the account numbers and important financial information. After all, Authorize.net tells us to keep our account information safe. I wonder what they would think about Ebay asking us to send it to them?
Let's see, we can't accept cash, checks, or money orders, and now we can't accept credit card payments, unless we reveal our financial information to Ebay, where it may or may not be handled privately. I guess that leaves... Paypal. There's a shock.

mdov****  (8319 )     Sep-02-08 09:11 PDT     5
Won't you have to provide your merchant account information to eBay next year when all payments must be electronic through Payflow? How else will you be able to attach your merchant account/authorize information to Payflow?

ddh_****  (1307 )     Sep-02-08 09:26 PDT     6
If I have to enter the information myself, on a secure site, that is one thing. But sending my financial information via fax to just anyone who might be walking by at the time it comes in, is another.
There was not a department mentioned, a person's name to fax to, etc. Just a fax number.
At this point, they have not completed the secure checkout, which will link to our merchant account. Right now, customers will have to call me to pay over the phone, so there is no need for them to have my merchant account number.

sand****  (3441 )     Sep-02-08 09:39 PDT     7
mdove9 at the point that Ebay becomes a portal for those payments the process would be set up thru Authorizenet, Payflow, and Ebay at the developer level. Most likely would a software program where the information would be input by the seller and verified thru the merchant account processors. Not by some entry level or midlevel Ebay employee who has a desk piled high with unsecured faxes. Nope, that simply is not an option IMO. By having the merchant number and account number Ebay could seriously jeopardize all your transactions. If Ebay forces the issue I would heavily censor what information Ebay was able to view on those pages. They would not get clean copies of my monthly statments.

ddh_****  (1307 )     Sep-02-08 09:52 PDT     8
Each credit card now sends a separate statement out every month, and there is no way I'm sending them a copy of those. I just faxed them a copy of my auth.net gateway statement, and a copy of my auth.net merchant profile page, with the merchant ID blacked out. I told them that if they needed this number, they could feel free to call me, and explain why they needed it, and after I verified who they were, I would think about giving it to them.
The information I faxed them shows them what types of credit cards I accept, how long I've had the account, and has my business name, address, and telephone number on it. This should be all the information they need to verify that I do have an account, and I am able to accept credit card payments. My merchant ID is not necessary.

ddh_****  (1307 )     Sep-02-08 09:54 PDT     9
And Sandra, you should be right about the software program. When I integrated auth.net with my main website, I input my gateway id and password into a secure site, and set it up that way. I didn't have to fax any information to any unknown fax number, and my hosting service never asked me for it.

sand****  (3441 )     Sep-02-08 11:25 PDT     10
ddh favors when you finish the process please post your results. I will be interested in hearing what Ebay agrees to accept in this process.

ddh_****  (1307 )     Sep-02-08 15:16 PDT     11
Response from Ebay:

Thank you for submitting your merchant processing statement to eBay.

I have completed our review, but was unable to confirm the statement provided because Authorize.net is a payment gateway service and not a direct processor.

In order to list on eBay using the merchant credit card payment option, you will need to provide proof of a merchant credit card account with a
processor that is a recognized ISO or MSP associated with a bank or financial institution.

- What is an ISO/MSP (Independent Sales Organization / Member Service
Provider)?

An ISO/MSP Is a company that works on behalf of a bank to set up and
manage merchant accounts.

To list items on eBay using merchant credit card, please provide the
following:

- a valid copy of your most recent merchant processing statement from a
bank/financial institution or is from an ISO/MSP.

Fax this information to (408) 904-7387.

- If you are unable to obtain a statement in a timely manner, you can
also provide the contact details for the agent that is responsible for
your merchant credit card account through that processor. Please include
their phone number AND extension so that we may verify directly. You can
provide this information in an email instead of a fax if you like.

While we confirm your merchant credit card statement, you can continue
listing items on eBay with PayPal as the payment method. More
information about Selecting Payment Methods You'll Accept can be found
at the following link:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/payment-method-accepted.html

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Wally

eBay Fraud Prevention

It is my Wells Fargo bank information they are wanting, as Wells Fargo is the bank that funds my transactions through Auth.net. This is completely insane!!

sand****  (3441 )     Sep-02-08 15:20 PDT     12
ddh do you think they want eonlinedata's contact information?

ddh_****  (1307 )     Sep-02-08 15:27 PDT     13
To be honest, I don't think they know what they want. I don't get any kind of monthly statement from Wells Fargo because I use their online reporting. So, I generated a monthly transaction summary for the last month, and e-mailed that to them, along with my Internet Merchant Account Number, and the contact information for Wells Fargo.
I honestly don't think this will be enough. I think they will continue requesting more information so I give up and just offer Paypal as a payment method. This is their way of ensuring that happens.

sand****  (3441 )     Sep-02-08 16:04 PDT     14
ddh favors I contacted Authorizenet's Live Help and you are correct. Use the statements that AuthorizeNet sends to determine which bank. (I am off to go look at my statements. I don't even know which bank I am affiliated with. That's sad too.)

ddh_****  (1307 )     Sep-02-08 16:12 PDT     15
When I first applied for an account with auth.net, I was contacted by a Wells Fargo rep, and it was Wells Fargo who checked my credit. Back in March, they split all of the services, and I received a welcome e-mail from Wells Fargo, that contained a Wells Fargo merchant ID. I am assuming this is the information they want.
This is all so silly at this point. If they had the integration complete, it would be one thing. But they don't need the information right now.

chop****  (2780 )     Sep-02-08 16:17 PDT     16
ebay accepts faxes?
hmmmm

Woot!

.

.

micro_merchant  (0 )     Sep-02-08 19:34 PDT     17
eBay is demanding more information than is required to accomplish eBay's stated goal. eBay only wants verification that the seller indeed has a merchant account.

So eBay can buy an item from this seller and pay by credit card. The charge will bear a transaction ID won't it? If not, then ebay can specify a secret shipping address (12345 Road to Hail, Box 1899546374456338). The seller reads bac the secret code and confirmation done.

But this isn't what eBay wants, is it.

micromerchant
"A Name Is a Link"SM

ddh_****  (1307 )     Sep-02-08 21:15 PDT     18
eBay is demanding more information than is required to accomplish eBay's stated goal.
You can say that again. I'm waiting for their request that I surrender my first born in order to sell here. She's a pre-teen, and full of attitude, so I'm not sure they will like what they get.
I am still waiting on a response to the latest information I faxed to them, so we'll see what happens.

micro_merchant  (0 )     Sep-02-08 22:26 PDT     19
At some point the demands become coercive. Coersion to use PayPal at the exclusion of others. And it becomes unlawful.

Are we there yet?

micromerchant
"A Name Is a Link"SM

mini****  (994 )     Sep-03-08 07:18 PDT     20
Chop sees the possibilities...good call chop.

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Australian IT - PayPal users lose their money

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24278046-15306,00.html

PayPal users lose their money

Fran Foo | September 02, 2008

PAYPAL Australia has been accused of reneging on a public commitment to repay all customers affected by the collapse of a major eBay seller.

Thousands of people were caught when EBS International, which traded on eBay as Ebusiness Supplies, went into liquidation in late July.

Usually when goods purchased are not delivered PayPal will tap into a seller's account to reimburse a buyer. So hopes were raised when PayPal managing director Andrew Pipolo publicly said the company, not EBS, would refund all affected customers from a special fund.

Mr Pipolo's comments were seen as crucial to the victims, as EBS had gone bust and its executives could not be tracked down. Hence there were no seller funds to dip into.

The victims had also relied on repeated claims by PayPal, and its parent company eBay, that people who paid via PayPal would be eligible for up to $20,000 in buyer protection should they fail to receive their items.

While PayPal had several conditions on who could access it, Mr Pipolo's repeated declarations that the special fund would reimburse the buyers put many at ease. However, many victims have reported not being paid.

"The collapse of EBS has highlighted - in very clear terms - that the key benefit of PayPal's buyer protection policy is entirely illusory.

"If PayPal cannot recover your money from the seller, there is simply no protection," said Robert Vandermeer, spokesman for a group of eBay members seeking recourse for all the victims.

But eBay spokesperson Daniel Feiler and PayPal spokesman Kelly Stevens debunked Mr Vandermeer's claim.

"That is entirely wrong. The funds come from PayPal, not the seller," Mr Feiler said.

"EBay and PayPal will be the largest victims of this," he said.

However, it has emerged that PayPal's own staff may have reneged on Mr Pipolo's pledge. Last week PayPal said customers who were directly affected by EBS's collapse had been repaid but this wasn't the case for Brian Crooks and Paul Foster.

Mr Crooks is still owed $3150.99 for a purchase from EBS that used PayPal, while Mr Foster has yet to see his $435 reimbursed. After numerous attempts to obtain a full refund, PayPal paid Mr Crooks $400 on his $3550.99 purchase of a quad bike from EBS.

"I've emailed them I've called them but I haven't received a satisfactory answer."

In an email sent to Mr Crooks, a PayPal representative said PayPal couldn't process his claim as it was unable to recover the funds from the seller - which is contrary to what Mr Feiler's statement.

"Mr Pipolo said I would get my money back and everyone had been paid, so where is it," said Mr Crooks, a retired hotelier living in Newcastle.

Mr Foster, from Penrith, said he has been an eBay and PayPal user for several years.

"They told me I wasn't eligible for the special fund, and this was after what Andrew Pipolo said," Mr Foster said.

"PayPal said it was outside its reporting criteria. What that means no one knows. It was very misleading."

PayPal's Ms Stevens maintained Mr Pipolo had not misled anyone.

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From eBay Welcome to the 8/20 Announcements Discussion Forum - Clarification on using your own merchant account in eBay checkout

"The processor for your internet merchant account may require you to notify them of the addition of the Payflow gateway."  monroe@paypal.com

Verification that eBay intends to force ALL Merchant Account processing through eBay's PayPal owned Payflow gateway. 

All an eBay seller needs to do to use PayPal Payflow, is to hand over to eBay the seller's Merchant Account number and password.  And trust them with it.

Free for now, but based on past actions expect eBay/PayPal/Payflow to charge 2% to 3% per transaction later.

"Yesterday and today, our technical team contacted the top credit card processors (who account for over 80% of card volume in the US)"  monroe@paypal.com

Translation: PayPal's technical team contacted PayPal (24% 2007), ProPay, and a few credit card processors.

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http://workshops.ebay.com/thread.jspa?threadID=13000000408&tstart=40&mod=1219440389051

Clarification on using your own merchant account in eBay checkout

monroe@paypal.com View     Aug-21-08 15:09 PDT
Hi everybody,

This is Monroe Labouisse, Director of North America Marketplaces at PayPal. I'm writing on behalf of John McDonald, Senior Director of Trust & Safety at eBay, as well.

There are several threads on this board with lots of good questions about using merchant accounts in eBay checkout, the Payflow gateway, etc. Thank you for all of your input, concerns, questions. They're very helpful to us.

Let me start by reiterating eBay's goal: to enable direct credit and debit card payments to a seller's internet merchant account through eBay checkout. The end-goal is simple: buyers do not have to go off the eBay site to pay directly with their credit or debit card.

The plan that we announced yesterday is that sellers with internet merchant accounts can in January 2009 connect that account to eBay checkout via the Payflow Payment Gateway. Note two things: 1) an internet merchant account may be different than the merchant account that you use to process payments in a physical store (check with your merchant account provider), and 2) the Payflow Payment Gateway connection to eBay checkout will be a FREE service for eBay seller for their eBay transactions.

You've asked lots of good questions about the details of this plan, and it's difficult for us to provide all the answers to you through this forum. It's also the case that we don't have all the answers to your questions right now.

But please remember this improvement to eBay checkout is still nearly 5 months away, and until then, you can continue to process direct credit and debit card payments as you do now. We will be providing you with a lot more information (on the site, through online workshops, with the help of customer support, etc.) in the future when we get closer to the time you can integrate your internet merchant account directly into eBay checkout. We would appreciate any and all suggestions you have on how to provide you more information through other channels.

In the meantime, thank you for your patience. Bear with us while we answer your questions as best we can, and keep an eye out for more from us this fall on our plans to integrate direct credit and debit card payments into eBay checkout.

Regards,
Monroe

//

monroe@paypal.com         Aug-22-08 12:24 PDT       18 of 20
lisasopinion,

I'm not ignoring you. I just didn't have any new information for you, and I have been posting to other boards as well. I do now have good news for you, however.

Yesterday and today, our technical team contacted the top credit card processors (who account for over 80% of card volume in the US) and verified that it is possible to have one internet merchant account (IMA) connect with more than one gateway. So, you should be able to use two gateways (for example, Authorize.net & Payflow) with one IMA.

The processor for your internet merchant account may require you to notify them of the addition of the Payflow gateway. We recommend that you check with your IMA provider (in most cases, this is your bank) to verify if additional steps are needed.

This is from our technical team: "In most cases, the bank will provide the merchant with an alternate account identifier. This should be free."

Finally, to repeat what I said above ... this improvement to eBay checkout is still nearly 5 months away, and until then, you can continue to process direct credit and debit card payments as you do now. We will be providing you with a lot more information (on the site, through online workshops, with the help of customer support, etc.) in the future when we get closer to the time you can integrate your internet merchant account directly into eBay checkout.

Hope this helps

Monroe

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From eBay Welcome to the 8/20 Announcements Discussion Forum - Merchant Account question - not online

The PayFlow Payment Gateway (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_payflow-gateway-overview-outside) is a payment through PayPal and NOT through a seller's Merchant Account gateway.

Please note that PayPal (through PayFlow) will be handling Merchant Accounts, and a PayPal Employee (monroe@paypal.com) and not an eBay Employee is answering questions about non-PayPal Merchant Accounts.  A rather severe conflict of interest.

This combination of payment through PayPal, PayFlow (PayPal), and ProPay (eBay is reported to own a piece) is best known as a (United States) Sherman Anti-Trust violation.

//

http://workshops.ebay.com/thread.jspa?threadID=13000000295&tstart=0&mod=1219360247072
Merchant Account question - not online

popp***  (99 )      Aug-21-08 09:16 PDT
Our Selling Account has been on Ebay since 1996 when it was Auctionweb, 10,500+ FB w/only 1 neg.

We have a small business and do have a merchant account for Mastercard & Visa which we process manually over the telephone for each and every transaction.

Will this method be acceptable? We technically qualify since we accept Mastercard & Visa. I am wondering if one of the requirements is that ebay has to process the transaction for us ..... which in our case is not possible.

Our bank is small and does not offer Internet processing.

11 replies     Date posted     Reply #

popp***  (99 )      Aug-21-08 09:40 PDT     1 of 11
An answer would be appreciated:

1. Will manual credit card processing be allowed?

A lot of older folks prefer calling in their information knowing that it is processed personally.

Not all small businesses ... or older folks .. trust putting all this information on the Internet

monroe@paypal.com      Aug-21-08 10:16 PDT     2 of 11
poppad,

It will not be a violation of the policy to take credit card payments from customers who call in their information.

That said, encouraging buyers to do that is not what we want sellers to do either. It is safer, and more convenient, for a buyer to complete the transaction on the site because we will then have a record of the payment, which we need from the buyer in the event of a dispute.

However, if a buyer does not trust putting their credit card information online and asks you to be allowed to call it in, that's OK.

By the way, it is also possible to take PayPal payments over the phone through a PayPal product called Virtual Terminal. You can find out more about it here: https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_vt_hub-outside

Regards,
Monroe

monroe@paypal.com      Aug-21-08 10:19 PDT     3 of 11
Sorry, meant to add: I would also encourage you to contact your merchant account provider to talk to them about enabling your merchant account for online payments, if it isn't already. That way, you can also receive payments to your merchant account online and not just over the phone.

Of course, I would also encourage you to contact PayPal. We can handle your processing needs for online payments, including direct credit card processing :)

Monroe

tekg***  (23926 )      Aug-21-08 10:37 PDT     4 of 11
What kind of integration will eBay provide (besides ProPay) for sellers that have merchant accounts already? I want integration with Authorize.Net payment gateway as part of the eBay Checkout flow.
_______
Mr Sun @ TekGems: via vt6421a

popp***  (99 )      Aug-21-08 10:45 PDT     5 of 11
Thank you for the response.

However, I do not understand why we must incur additional costs to take Mastercard & Visa through these gateways when we already have taken them for 10 years w/o a chargeback or problem?

Our rates w/our bank are very low .. they haven't changed in 10 years ..

It seems to me that to go the Paypal route would cost a great deal more.

pers***  (7050 ) View Listings | Report     Aug-21-08 10:47 PDT     6 of 11
Will PP VT now be tied in automatically with this new checkout system?

I sell to some countries where PP is not an option, and my buyers call me with their CC info. Will they now be able to input this into the new checkout and have it processed through PP's VT?

Roxane

Please read my Guide!

monroe@paypal.com      Aug-21-08 11:33 PDT     7 of 11
tekgems and poppad,

eBay plans to integrate sellers’ internet merchant accounts into eBay checkout through the Payflow Payment Gateway. This will be a FREE service for eBay sellers. Normal fees to set up a Payflow Payment Gateway account will be waived.

It is NOT our intent for you to switch from your current gateway provider in order to use this free service on eBay. It is our understanding that your credit card processor would enable you to connect your internet merchant account to the Payflow Gateway for eBay sales, and to your current gateway for your website sales.

If it is your understanding that your internet merchant account cannot be set up to connect to two gateways, then please let me know. Please contact your merchant account provider to clarify first. It may be that your account specifications need to be adjusted. We have technical support available at Payflow to help as well.

Thanks
Monroe

monroe@paypal.com      Aug-21-08 11:39 PDT     8 of 11
personal*touch,

Buyers who don't have a PayPal account can, today and in the future, enter their credit card details into eBay checkout directly and the payment can come to you through your PayPal account. There is no setting change you need to make. You don't need to use VT. Just accept PayPal.

Here is an answer I put on the eBay Ink blog:

PayPal is available to buyers in 190 countries around the world, so it should accomodate virtually all of your international sales. You can find the list of countries here:
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_display-approved-signup-countries-outside

If you encounter a buyer from a country other than those 190, and the buyer does not have a PayPal account, then I would suggest you ask them to pay directly with a credit card. They can do that through your internet merchant account if you have one, or they can do it if you offer PayPal. Buyers without PayPal accounts can pay you via PayPal simply by entering their credit card details into eBay checkout.

Regards,
Monroe

tekg***  (23926 )      Aug-21-08 11:47 PDT     9 of 11
> Buyers who don't have a PayPal account can, today and in
> the future, enter their credit card details into eBay
> checkout directly

Checkout is biased towards Paypal. Its never been agnostic about which payment method eBay prefers. This makes the buying experience very confusing. Just letting you know what I read via e-mail every day.
_______
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urba***  (407 )      Aug-21-08 11:55 PDT     10 of 11
can you accept both when this new checkout system exceeds?

what I mean by that is, will the buyer be able to choose, while in checkout, if they want to use paypal or my merchant account?

and, if they use paypal, does that mean their paying with paypal fund only and if they choose my merchant account, it'll be credit card.

what I'm trying to figure out is, right now a buyer can choose paypal for credit card payment or from paypal funds.

how will this work with a merchant account and paypal being offered in the lsiting during checkout?

thanks

tekg***  (23926 ) ***     Aug-21-08 16:10 PDT     11 of 11
Clarification needed...

Is the Payment Gateway:
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_payflow-gateway-overview-outside

Payflow Pro

or

Payflow Link

???
_______
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KHNL - Iolani Palace closed all weekend after break-in

"a Honolulu policeman would not help her, because the federal property is not his jurisdiction."
KHNL

"A palace spokesman said a police officer who was there drove away after refusing to help. "If in fact a police officer stood by when someone was being harmed that's a very serious issue," Gov. Linda Lingle said. Initially, no police responded to the palace's calls for assistance. "It was reported last night that when a call went in to 911 they were told it was not their jurisdiction. That is a very serious allegation," Lingle said. Police and state law enforcement finally arrived after three hours."
http://www.kitv.com/news/17213937/detail.html?rss=hon&psp=news

Here's an interesting question.  If Federal property was "not his jurisdiction", what was the policeman doing there in the first place? Did he receive a "tip" about a crime in progress and was following up (abet "not his jurisdiction"), or was he looking after his hui?

Incidentally the main Police Headquarters is a few blocks from Iolani Palace. A slow leisure paced 10-15 minute walk.

Iolani Palace is adjacent to the State of Hawaii Capital (building), a block from Honolulu City Hall, two/three blocks from the Federal Court House, and surrounded by multiple Federal, State, and City Government buildings.

Oh, and across the street from the Governor's (Governor Linda Lingle) Mansion.

http://www.to-hawaii.com/oahu/attractions/iolanipalace.php

//

http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=8853555

Iolani Palace closed all weekend after break-in

Updated: Aug 17, 2008 10:26 AM

By Diane Ako

HONOLULU (KHNL) -- Iolani Palace is closed this weekend after a break in at the palace Friday night pits an anti-government group against the state. About two dozen people are in jail Saturday night for that. The scuffle has sparked another issue: Honolulu police are under fire tonight after some in the public accuse officers of not doing enough to help a woman assaulted in that break in.

This is what greeted visitors on Saturday: chains around the gates of Iolani Palace. Alison Meyer is from New York. She was hoping to see the palace before she leaves, but it appears that won't happen. "That was our plan this morning to come to the palace, check things out. This is the only palace in the US, but here we are, standing on the outside, looking in the gate. It was disappointing."

The state closed the palace this weekend after a native Hawaiian sovereignty group briefly took control of the grounds of the palace Friday afternoon at around 4:30 p.m. Some four hours later, state sheriffs arrived and, with the help of Honolulu police, started arresting people. State Department of Land and Natural Resources director Laura Theielen described what happened. "We came to the property, unlocked the gates, and arrested in excess of 20 people."

Law enforcement arrested about 2 dozen protesters. "We intend to bring charges," warned Theielen. Chopper 8 is over the only royal palace in the country, now closed as the state investigates Friday night's break in. Theielen detailed the work ahead. "We are going to close the palace grounds and the palace through the weekend. We need to look through the property and building to determine if anything was damaged."

A 67 year old retired construction worker claims to head the group Kingdom of Hawaii. "I hold a clear title everything," insisted Akahi Nui, self-proclaimed King of Hawaii, speaking with a thick accent to reporters at a press conference outside the closed gates on Saturday.

A female palace worker accuses the group of assaulting her during the takeover on Friday. Akahi Nui denies it and told reporters the woman was drunk. "She said we hit her. We don't hit nobody. We are not violence people."

The woman also says a Honolulu policeman would not help her, because the federal property is not his jurisdiction. Kippen de Alba Chu, Executive Director of Iolani Palace, said in a statement he is "outraged that a native Hawaiian group would choose this type of behavior, in the presence of an historic, treasured landmark such as Iolani Palace. I personally witnessed one of our staff members being physically assaulted by a member of the Kingdom of Hawaii Nation. ...A police officer standing by did nothing to help her, saying that it was not his jurisdiction. At one point during the evening the alarms went off in the barracks building and our security staff called 911. They were told it was not 911's jurisdiction and to call the state. This extraordinary landmark and the people who care for it deserve every protection the state and our local police force can muster."

Honolulu police chief Boisse Correa issued a rebuttal statement on Saturday defending his officers. "HPD's position has always been to provide full support for any law enforcement agency that requests it. The individuals who were arrested had clearly violated the law. In this instance, our assistance was requested by the Department of Public Safety, which was assisting the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the agency that is responsible for security of Iolani Palace. As a result of the request, I authorized that all necessary resources be provided. The actions taken by our officers last night were appropriate. Although no formal complaint has been made, I am aware of the allegations regarding our initial response and have directed that an internal review be conducted."

This was the second time a sovereignty group locked the palace gates this year. The group called Hawaiian Kingdom Government occupied the grounds on April 30,2008. In regards to that break in, de Alba Chu said in a statement, "As a matter of historical record, we wish to point out that the original seat of government of the Hawaiian Kingdom was NOT Iolani Palace. The Palace was the royal RESIDENCE. Government activities were carried out in the original Courthouse (now demolished), then later in Aliiolani Hale.

Claiming that Iolani Palace was the seat of government actually supports those who overthrew the Hawaiian kingdom. It was they who intentionally renamed the Palace to be their "Executive Building" to show that by seizing this symbolic structure and utilizing it for mere offices and meeting rooms, they were now in control, and the alii were powerless. The Provisional Government (Jan. 1893-July 1894) and later the government of the Republic of Hawaii (July 1894-Aug. 1898) worked openly to wipe out physical vestiges of the alii in the Palace by auctioning off its contents, thus further cementing the perception of the Palace as a purely government building."

This takeover occurred on the Statehood Day holiday, which commemorates Hawaii becoming a state.

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Or was that a real policeman?

"Can I say something? I’d like to file a complaint against one of your cops."
"Excuse me?" Lt. Disher
"There was a cop standing right over there who saw the entire thing. After Archie shot the guy, the cop just turned and ran away." Woman
"Did you get a badge number?" Reporter #1
"I’m afraid I didn’t."
"Captain! Do you have a policy for a police officer just to flee like that?" Reporter #2

"I have no comment because it’s ridiculous. All right? There is not an officer on this force that would run away from a scene of a crime. It is inconceivable." Captain Stottlemeyer

Monk, Mr. Monk and the Billionaire Mugger

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http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080818/NEWS03/80818031

Posted on: Monday, August 18, 2008

Transcript of Friday night's 'Iolani Palace confrontation

Honolulu police officer Y. Chan: Wait, wait. What's going on here?

Reporter Rick Daysog: They work here.

Officer Chan: Who works here? You work here?

Daysog: No, I work for The Advertiser.

Officer Chan: You work for The Advertiser.

Woman (alleged assault victim): I work here.

Police officer: You work at the palace.

Man identifying himself as Norman (allegedly assaulted woman): OK, you like go home? What you like do, Sista? You like leave or stay?

Woman: I don't want to talk to you. Talking to him (indicating officer).

Officer Chan: OK, this is state jurisdiction. Where is DLNR?

Norman: There's no state jurisdiction over hea...

Officer Chan: ...Where's the DLNR officers?

Woman: They haven't come yet.

Officer Chan: They haven't come yet.

Woman second: They assaulted her. I saw it.

Woman: So it is your jurisdiction now.

Officer Chan: ... OK, we're going to call DLNR here.

//
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"If we do have that officer in our police force they should no longer be police officers, so we're looking at this very seriously," said Chief Correa.

//

http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=8862343

Police react to palace takeover response

Updated: Aug 18, 2008 08:21 PM

By Zahid Arab

HONOLULU-- (KHNL) Iolani Palace leaders say takeovers at one of Hawaii's most sacred places, have hit a boiling point and for the first time Honolulu Police talk about what's being called a questionable response.

The grounds re-opened Monday, but the palace itself remains closed after the attempted takeover.

Friday night's incident is calling into question how the Honolulu Police Department responded.

The palace's executive director says an officer saw an assault taking place but simply walked away.

"Hi I'm calling from Iolani Palace," said the Palace 9-11 caller.

Friday just after 6pm, an Iolani Palace worker sensed that something was wrong. A Honolulu police officer in the area was called to assess the scene.

"The supervisor went there saw a commotion, stopped, came back, calmed the commotion down," said Police Chief Boise Correa.

That's where the breakdown in communication started. Police say the experienced officer never reported information from the incident.

nothing of an attempted burglary or the attempt to take over the palace.

"I didn't see anything other than a car accident," said the 9-11 operator.

Iolani Palace's executive director calls the officers response extremely unacceptable.

"One of our employees was assaulted by a group that's taken over and the HPD officer who was here just left and he refused to help. He said it was the responsibility of the state," said the 9-11 caller.

"If we do have that officer in our police force they should no longer be police officers, so we're looking at this very seriously," said Chief Correa.

While the palace is under state control, Chief Correa says Honolulu Police has concurrent jurisdiction, which basically means HPD has the duty to aid other agencies anywhere at anytime. About 60-officers were part of Friday night's response.

"Are we 100% no, we always make mistakes, that's why you have critiques after the event," said Chief Correa.

As the state's attorney general's office evaluates the incident, Honolulu Police stand by their response and are hopeful the investigation's findings will back up Friday's procedures.

The governor, mayor and other public safety officials will meet to assess the incident's response to see if things could have been done better.

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Honolulu Advertiser - Police were told of damage to van in Hawaii hit-run case

Must be very difficult correlating timely accident reports to fatalities.

• 22 July, David Wayne Aldridge II was struck and killed. HPD begins investigation.
  
• 22 July, Abbey Carpet & Floors reported the vehicle damage to the Police.
• 22 July?, Police said 'take it to the repair shop'.
• 2 August?, "The arrest was made based on a tip we received," Police Maj. Frank Fujii said yesterday. "An investigation like this is so complex that we always ask for the public's assistance.

Or maybe there's an over reliance on "tips"?

"Justice is incidental to law and order.", J. Edgar Hoover

//

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080804/NEWS01/808040356

Posted on: Monday, August 4, 2008

Police were told of damage to van in Hawaii hit-run case

Abbey Carpet owner says it's company policy to report all accidents

By Suzanne Roig and Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writers

WAIALUA — A Waiau businessman who owns an Abbey Carpet & Floors van seized Saturday as evidence in a fatal hit-and-run accident said yesterday that he told police about damage to the vehicle on the day the accident occurred.

Arnel Ulep Abuluyan, 37, an Abbey Carpet installer, was arrested Saturday afternoon at his home on 'Oliana Street in Waialua, and last night was being held at the police cellblock pending charges of negligent homicide and failure to render aid in connection with the July 22 death of David Wayne Aldridge II.

Roy Tokuhama, who owns Abbey Carpet & Floors, said it is standard procedure for his company to call police after a vehicle is involved in any sort of accident. No one at Abbey suspected that the van had been involved with anything other than an accident without injuries, Tokuhama said.

Natalie Okouchi, a company manager, said, "We filed a police report that the van had been involved in an accident." She added, "Arnel told us, but he didn't say he was in an accident."

Tokuhama said the company reported the damage to police, who said Abbey could take it to the repair shop.

Working off a tip that police did not explain yesterday, the 2006 white GMC Savannah van was seized from Kuroda Auto Body in Waipi'o as evidence.

"The arrest was made based on a tip we received," Police Maj. Frank Fujii said yesterday. "An investigation like this is so complex that we always ask for the public's assistance. Everything we do has a purpose."

Initially, police said Aldridge, 18, who was riding his bicycle home after working a shift at a Burger King restaurant along Kamehameha Highway near Dole Plantation, had apparently been hit about 1:35 a.m. by a speeding red flatbed truck that veered onto the roadway's shoulder.

A passing motorist spotted Aldridge in the grass next to the highway and contacted authorities.

Aldridge was first taken to Wahiawa General Hospital in critical condition. He was later transferred to The Queen's Medical Center, where he died around 5 a.m.

A memorial cross, draped in lei and surrounded by fluttering flags, stood on the side of the road yesterday in front of Dole Plantation.

'it is unbelievable'

At the Abuluyan home in Waialua, Enriqueta Pumaras, the suspect's oldest sister, said yesterday that she didn't see the police take her brother.

"The police have not told us anything," Pumaras said. "I have not seen my brother since they took him."

Abuluyan came to Hawai'i from the Philippines in 1983 and attended Waialua High School, Pumaras said. He is single and lived with his mother.

"He's a very good man," Pumaras said. "It will shock, me. It is so sad. It is unbelievable that my brother would do something like this ... to hit someone and leave them behind."

Kuuipo Galletas, who lives in the neighborhood near the Abuluyan home, said she would see the white van parked in front of the house all the time.

Okouchi said Abby employees are allowed to use company vans outside of work as a job privilege.

father left puzzled

The manager of the Burger King where Aldridge had been employed for several months as a food service worker said Aldridge worked the 4 to 10:30 p.m. shift, and then would ride his bicycle to Helemano Military Reservation, where his family lived.

Aldridge's father, Army Staff Sgt. David Aldridge, who has been deployed twice to Iraq, was on an Army training mission in Texas when his son was struck and killed. He returned home early the next day to be with his wife, Susanne, and the couple's 3-year-old daughter, Destiny.

The elder Aldridge said yesterday that he was puzzled that the police plea for information on a red truck led to the seizure of a white van. "We're very happy to get closure, but we're still confused how the police could be so sure it was a red flatbed truck and now it turns out to be a white van," he said.

Earlier this month, Aldridge said when he asked police how they could be sure it was a red truck, he was told there was red paint on his son's backpack.

"It mesmerizes me that it's a white van. No flatbed, no lights, just a regular GMC Savannah van," he said. "I asked 'How do you know it's a red truck? Are you confident?' And ... (an officer) told me to be thankful it's not a white truck because there are a whole lot of white trucks and it would be tougher to find."

More than 150 family and friends from Germany and across the country attended his son's funeral, which was held Saturday in Aldridge's hometown, Jeffersonville, Ind. A memorial service for the teen, who wanted to attend college in Germany and become an entrepreneur, was held Tuesday at Schofield Barracks.

A Leilehua High School graduate, Aldridge was described by friends and family as fun-loving and outgoing.

The Aldridge family plans to return to Hawai'i on Aug. 20 and have asked Schofield officials to help them thank the public for their support, the sergeant said.

wants to know why

Regarding the arrest, Aldridge said yesterday, "If they have the right guy, then we're satisfied."

The victim's father said he does, however, have one question for the suspect.

"I'd like to look the guy in the eye," he said, "and ask him why he didn't stop to help my son. I don't know how much he suffered ... to leave anyone in that kind of condition is appalling to me."

He added, "Nothing will bring my son back, but it makes our family feel better that justice may be served upon him. We're very relieved that progress has been made. We're confident (the Honolulu Police Department) has been doing the best it can."

Reporter Dave Dondoneau contributed to this report.

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iTWire - Paymate complains to ACCC... about eBay's forced PayPal option

http://www.itwire.com/content/view/19397/1103/

Paymate complains to ACCC... about eBay's forced PayPal option

by Alex Zaharov-Reutt   
Friday, 11 July 2008

eBay’s woes continue with formerly heavily promoted Australian online payments entity Paymate deciding to lodge its own formal complaint to the ACCC concerning “eBay’s restrictive trade practices”, while eBay users react to this latest development.

Earlier today, Internet payments company Paymate struck back against the Australian arm of global auction giant eBay, “continuing its campaign against eBay’s restrictive trade practices” by lodging a formal complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The ACCC is the government organisation that received a notice from eBay asking the ACCC to allow eBay to force buyers and sellers to use PayPal, cash on delivery, or Visa and Mastercard through PayPal’s payment system.

After a massive outcry, eBay withdrew its notice to the ACCC, but the battle against eBay has rumbled on regardless.

Paymate is an Internet payments company and describes itself as a “secure, accurate and reliable Internet payment service available to individuals, businesses and other organisations.”

Indeed, prior to eBay’s 2002 purchased of PayPal for US $1.5 billion, Paymate was eBay Australia’s preferred Internet payment method, but Paymate faced being struck off eBay altogether had its notice to the ACCC been granted.

Even though eBay’s notice to the ACCC was first issued a draft notice of effective denial, which led to eBay withdrawing its ACCC submission, concern continues unabated that eBay still intends to force sellers to require PayPal as an accepted method of payment.

This has been followed up on eBay listings by eBay ensuring the PayPal logo is markedly larger than other payment methods, thus giving the impression that PayPal is the preferred method of payment, even if this is expressly against the wishes of any particular seller.
 
Paymate’s press release regarding its submission to the ACCC, issued on the 11th of June, notes that: “Effective on and from 21 May 2008, eBay amended its User Agreement and altered the functionality of the eBay Site such that all sellers (including both new and existing sellers) will be required to offer PayPal as one of their accepted payment methods.

“Paymate was invited by the ACCC, as a direct competitor to PayPal, to make a submission on eBay's conduct.”

Paymate’s press release continues as follows: “Paymate submitted that eBay, in both Australia & New Zealand, is engaging in conduct in breach of s 47 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (TPA) because the conduct amounts to anticompetitive exclusive dealing, and that further by its representations it is also engaging in misleading and/or deceptive conduct in breach of s 52 of the TPA.

“Paymate went on to say that the eBay proposal significantly restricts the ability of Paymate or other payment options to be adopted because eBay:

“- mandates PayPal for sellers;
- requires that sellers not express a preference for any particular method;
- promotes PayPal aggressively to buyers to imply it is the 'default' method;
- provides no or little information about alternative methods for assessment by buyers and sellers.”

“Paymate also strongly objected to the inference in eBay’s publicity to the effect that its method of operations provides the kind of safety and risk free environment that would not be available by utilising other payment methods such as those offered by Paymate. This is misleading and/or deceptive in breach of s 52 of the TPA.

“Paymate submitted that the decision the ACCC should take is to ask eBay to immediately cease its conduct or face prosecution by the ACCC in the Federal Court.  In addition, they recommended the ACCC ask eBay to:

“- make available factual information on all accepted payment methods to both buyers and sellers on an ‘equal footing’ basis;

“- communicate the changes to policy and information on all payment methods clearly and prominently on the eBay website as well as via email communications, to at least the same extent as the Notified Conduct was communicated."

Managing Director of Paymate, Dilip Rao, says he has “consistently asked for a 'fair go' for Paymate”, and further stated that: "I hope the ACCC and eBay will see the sense in our submission, which helps eBay meet its goal of reducing 'bad buyer experiences' while giving buyers and sellers a free choice of payment method.  We can surely trust Australians to make a sensible choice, balancing risks and costs, if they are given reasonable information onall payment options online."

The press release concludes by saying: “Asked about the promotional offer from Paymate to eBay members, Mr Rao said he was delighted to extend the offer indefinitely to give all eBayers a chance to 'experience the difference'.  Paymate is waiving buyer fees on all eBay transactions under this special offer.”

What has the response been from some eBay members regarding this latest anti-eBay salvo?

At the following eBay forum, a number of comments have been made by eBay members in relation to Paymate’s formal complain to the ACCC regarding eBay.

Selected comments from the forum are as follows:

eBay member ‘brad-o-1’ states: “Good on you Paymate. I know that this was one client of yours that was happy to pay your fees to keep me protected from crooks and we received the service what we were paying for. On a number of occasions you protected us against being scammed by fools and that is more than I can say for PayPal that the first person that conned me, sided with the criminal.”

eBay member ‘antiquegoldandjewelsantiquegoldandjewels’ said: “If it IS all about buyer protection, eBay would allow the seller to choose the use of the one of the following services.  * Paypal, * Paymate, * Merchant credit card. All these offer the buyer protection.”
 
eBay member: ‘steen1equestrianridingsteen1equestrianriding’ stated: “They should also sign the EFT code of conduct but they won't - must have something to hide.”
 
ebay member “kinetika2003kinetika2003” states: “If they [eBay] sign the EFT Code of Conduct then they will be held accountable. Their present position allows them to rake in the dollars without any accountability whatsoever. There's no way they will sign the EFT Code of Conduct unless they are compelled to. It's crazy that a company can get a Financial Services Licence in Australia without having to become a signatory of the EFT Code of Conduct, it should be mandatory!”

In the comments section of an iTWire article entitled: “Rebels strike back at eBay and PayPal through Australian banks”, a commenter called ‘The Democrat' stated: “I call upon everyone to get behind an AUSSIE home grown Paypal alternative, and support PayMate's highly relevant submission to ACCC on the deliberate targeting of Long standing eBay members, under Stage 1.”

The statement continues: “Paymate (which eBay initially promoted) submitted an excellent submission and Conference commentary on Both Stages of EBAYS CONDUCT. Also write to your banks because the same argument applies to their ability to compete fairly.”

Any response to this latest action against eBay and PayPal from either the ACCC or eBay itself has not as yet been made public by either party.

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