RIP: Western Union and eBay combination

[Mark R]

It appears, that following some high-profile scams eBay is banning Western Union as a method of payment.

They are also adding warning to the auction payment e-mail/screens saying that you should never pay for an auction by Western Union.

There are loads of WU offices just down the road from me, so the company is obviously legit. So, I've always wondered what the scammers love so much about it.

Is it untraceable, or anonymous? etc.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Mark R
It appears, that following some high-profile scams eBay is banning Western Union as a method of payment.

They are also adding warning to the auction payment e-mail/screens saying that you should never pay for an auction by Western Union.

There are loads of WU offices just down the road from me, so the company is obviously legit. So, I've always wondered what the scammers love so much about it.

Is it untraceable, or anonymous? etc.

Pretty much.

 

[iamtrout]

Unrefundable, it's like handing the seller your cold hard cash. Scammers will send sellers FAKE money orders, and by the time the item is shipped out to the scammer they finally figure out its fake.

 

[trinketsummoner]

WU was only really designed for sending family members or close friends money, not complete strangers. I think this is a good idea from ebay, you can still accept and send USPS money orders and they are far safer. I know some people have faked those too, but then you are messing with the Feds :evil:

 

[bmacd]

I am a Western Union agent and we are to strongly advise our customers against using western union (wire transfer) for ebay auctions. However, Western Union BidPay is a great alternative.

-=bmacd=-

 

[sswingle]

I've never used that combination, so no loss.

 

[Kerouactivist]

Western Union bidpay is sticking around thought right?

 

[spaceman]

Union Bay LMFAO!

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Mark R
There are loads of WU offices just down the road from me, so the company is obviously legit.

This was in question? 🙂

 

[trinketsummoner]

Originally posted by: bmacd
I am a Western Union agent and we are to strongly advise our customers against using western union (wire transfer) for ebay auctions. However, Western Union BidPay is a great alternative.

-=bmacd=-

I thought bidpay was used for just as much fraud?