Question:

How can I verify the legitimacy of a seller who claims to use Fulfilled by Amazon for a cross-city computer purchase?

The seller’s message sounds suspicious and may be a scam. According to [Norton], an off-platform payment scam is when a scammer creates fake product listings and then requests outside payment once you try to make the purchase. They may use the name of Amazon or other reputable companies to lure you into trusting them, but they will take your money and never send you the product. Amazon warns that you should never pay for a Marketplace item outside of the Amazon site and that sellers who request payment via other methods are not associated with Amazon. If you pay outside of Amazon, you will not be eligible for the A-to-z Guarantee protection and you may expose yourself to potential fraud.

Some signs that the seller’s message is a scam are:

• The seller asks for your personal information, such as your full name, full address, and home phone number. This information is not necessary for Amazon transactions and may be used for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
• The seller claims to use Fulfilled by Amazon, but requests payment via credit or debit card to Amazon fulfillment holding. Fulfilled by Amazon is a service that allows third-party sellers to store their products in Amazon’s warehouses and let Amazon handle the packing, shipping, and customer service. However, Fulfilled by Amazon does not involve any special payment methods or holding accounts. You should only pay for Fulfilled by Amazon items through the Amazon website or app, using the same checkout process as for any other Amazon purchase.
• The seller offers a 7-day inspection period and a full refund if you are not satisfied with the product. This sounds too good to be true and may be a way to entice you to pay outside of Amazon. Amazon has its own return policy for Fulfilled by Amazon items, which varies depending on the product category and condition. You should check the return policy before you buy and contact Amazon customer service if you have any issues with your order.

To

avoid falling victim to this scam, you should:

– Ignore the seller’s message and do not reply or provide any personal or financial information.

– Report the seller to Amazon by using the [Report a violation of our rules] form or contacting Amazon customer service.

– Shop only from trusted sellers who have positive ratings and reviews on Amazon. You can also check the seller’s profile page to see their feedback history, policies, and contact information.

– Always pay for your Amazon purchases through the Amazon website or app, using a secure payment method such as a credit card or Amazon gift card. Do not use any other payment methods or links that the seller may provide.

Answer:

If you are looking for a good deal on a computer, you may be tempted by some online sellers who claim to use Fulfilled by Amazon, a service that allows third-party sellers to store their products in Amazon’s warehouses and let Amazon handle the packing, shipping, and customer service. However, not all sellers who use this name are legitimate, and some may be trying to scam you out of your money.

According to Norton, an off-platform payment scam is when a scammer creates fake product listings and then requests outside payment once you try to make the purchase. They may use the name of Amazon or other reputable companies to lure you into trusting them, but they will take your money and never send you the product. Amazon warns that you should never pay for a Marketplace item outside of the Amazon site and that sellers who request payment via other methods are not associated with Amazon. If you pay outside of Amazon, you will not be eligible for the A-to-z Guarantee protection and you may expose yourself to potential fraud.

So how can you tell if a seller is genuine or not? Here are some signs that the seller’s message is a scam:

• The seller asks for your personal information, such as your full name, full address, and home phone number. This information is not necessary for Amazon transactions and may be used for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
• The seller claims to use Fulfilled by Amazon, but requests payment via credit or debit card to Amazon fulfillment holding. Fulfilled by Amazon does not involve any special payment methods or holding accounts. You should only pay for Fulfilled by Amazon items through the Amazon website or app, using the same checkout process as for any other Amazon purchase.
• The seller offers a 7-day inspection period and a full refund if you are not satisfied with the product. This sounds too good to be true and may be a way to entice you to pay outside of Amazon. Amazon has its own return policy for Fulfilled by Amazon items, which varies depending on the product category and condition. You should check the return policy before you buy and contact Amazon customer service if you have any issues with your order.

To avoid falling victim to this scam, you should:

• Ignore the seller’s message and do not reply or provide any personal or financial information.
• Report the seller to Amazon by using the [Report a violation of our rules](https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/reports/contact-us) form or contacting Amazon customer service.
• Shop only from trusted sellers who have positive ratings and reviews on Amazon. You can also check the seller’s profile page to see their feedback history, policies, and contact information.
• Always pay for your Amazon purchases through the Amazon website or app, using a secure payment method such as a credit card or Amazon gift card. Do not use any other payment methods or links that the seller may provide.

By

following these tips, you can protect yourself from Fulfilled by Amazon scams and enjoy a safe and satisfying online shopping experience.