| The E-Fencing of Stolen Goods is a $40 Billion Dollar a | | | | buyer has good knowledge about the pricing trends of |
| Year Criminal Enterprise! | | | | both new and used computers and electronics in the |
| Most of us purchase used computers, electronics and | | | | market-place, they can easily figure-out if the item |
| digital cameras for the foremost reason that the item | | | | being offered for sale as new, used or 'slightly' used is |
| can be purchased for a lesser amount than new units | | | | a legitimate offer or not. |
| and most have enough functionality to do everything | | | | The 'due diligence' used during the purchasing of used |
| we need the item to do. When making such purchases | | | | computers and electronics online is of utmost |
| online and from flea-markets, swap meets, garage | | | | importance as, a reputed dealer or seller will have an |
| sales etc., there is a high degree of risk of purchasing | | | | established location and or online business. They tend |
| an item that has been reported as being lost or stolen. | | | | to not sell on the streets. Therefore, it is better to avoid |
| The incidence of purchasing stolen computers and | | | | buying used computers and electronics from |
| electronics is more likely when the items are | | | | un-established street vendors or online sellers, who |
| purchased from third party computer and electronics | | | | may be fly by night sellers of stolen goods, without |
| dealers, like some of the 'fly by night' computer and | | | | checking the items reported lost/stolen status. Such |
| electronics dealers online, or from a theft store or | | | | sellers attract the buyers with excessively low pricing |
| pawnbroker who has no idea about the history of the | | | | or heavy discounts or even freebies along with the |
| electronics they are selling. | | | | computer or electronic item if the sale can be |
| Unfortunately, with today's online marketplace | | | | completed 'right now'. If the buyer is not sure about the |
| constantly changing and the theft across the US of | | | | item, they can very well ask for the documents i.e. |
| electronics and pharmaceuticals ever increasing, the | | | | receipts from the original purchase, serial number |
| consumer has become sort of a 'pawn' in the business | | | | registration paperwork etc., pertaining to the item. If no |
| of selling stolen property. Each hour of each day, | | | | receipts or other documents are available for the |
| thousands of items known to be stolen are placed up | | | | original purchase, the item could very well be stolen. |
| for sale through the use of online marketplaces, | | | | The best method of finding out is to check the serial |
| auction sites and classified ad services. | | | | number or unique identifier of the item which can be |
| The business of selling stolen goods online through one | | | | done with the help of local law enforcement or one of |
| of the hundreds of online auction services and | | | | the online services that offer such services. |
| classified ad services is fast becoming a business that | | | | As the buyer, you have all the right to ask the seller |
| is more profitable than the selling of illegal drugs with | | | | about the reason for the sale of the item, where it |
| less risk. | | | | was purchased and type of payment was made |
| The purchasers of new or used items weather online | | | | initially. If the buyer is satisfied with the answers |
| or from Flea Markets, Swap Meets, Garage Sales etc., | | | | received, they can at that time go ahead with the |
| MUST use due diligence when considering their | | | | purchase or, move on to the next best seller. If |
| purchases as, any item later found to be reported | | | | purchasing items in person, at times one can 'sense' if |
| stolen could subject the current owner to criminal | | | | the seller is genuine or not through the sellers body |
| charges and fines (which could prove very | | | | language. Some persons in the business of selling illegal |
| embarrassing if the item was given as a gift to | | | | items will show jittery type movements, will agree to |
| someone!). The possession of stolen property is a | | | | sell for a rock bottom price or, will offer to 'throw in' |
| Felony in most States in the US weather the holder | | | | something extra if you meet their price right then and |
| new owner knew the item was stolen or not. | | | | there. |
| The following measures can be taken to avoid | | | | The sale of stolen electronics and other goods online |
| purchasing stolen electronics. Always Remember: If It | | | | happens a lot more often than most people would |
| Sounds Too Good To Be True, It Probably Is!! | | | | tend to think, or would even want to imagine. Because |
| One of the safe measures to employ when | | | | the sellers of stolen goods have the ability to price |
| purchasing new or used electronics online is to | | | | goods at whatever price they feel the 'market' will |
| purchase through the use of a credit card or other | | | | bare, it can sometimes be pretty easy to know when |
| form of secure payment rather than making a | | | | something is 'To Good To Be True.' |
| purchase using checks or meeting the seller and | | | | Follow these simple tips: |
| paying for the purchase in cash. If the seller insists on | | | | 1. Know as much as you can about the seller. |
| cash as the form of payment, the purchaser can be | | | | 2. Ask for the serial number and or unique identifier |
| fairly sure that the computer or electronics item may | | | | number. |
| be stolen. Also, stolen computers and electronics are | | | | 3. Always verify the serial numbers lost/stolen status. |
| sold at prices that tend to be below wholesale. If the | | | | 4. Always pay using a credit card. |