3 - Protect Yourself Against Payment Risk

Using a Letter of Credit (LC or L/C) or escrow are the recommended payment methods. If the seller seems more focused on payment than any other issue, or indicates that cash payment must be made urgently, more caution should be given to the transaction. Be extra cautious when the seller asks you to send money to an account whose real owner cannot be traced.

Letter of Credit (L/C)

A Letter of Credit is the most preferred payment method in international trade. However, there is some possibility of fraud due to incorrect or forged shipping documents. Minimize the potential for fraud by contacting the L/C issuing bank. Be sure to check the L/C number, opening date, opening place, name and address of the issuing bank, shipping date, valid date, loading and unloading port, applicant, period of presentation, amount, as well as details of trans-shipment, partial shipment, etc.

Escrow

Escrow.com is a transaction settlement service used by many of the leading eCommerce websites, including eBay and others. Escrow.com acts as a secure third party to protect Buyers and Sellers.

Avoid Telegraphic Transfer (T/T) payments

Importers: It is NOT wise to accept an overseas supplier's request for pre-payment. In most cases, a request for T/T payment involves attempted fraud.

Exporters: It is NOT wise to agree to accept payment from an overseas buyer after they have received products. Once a buyer has received samples or products without payment, it is very difficult to get them back.

Avoid Payment by Western Union

Many of the online fraudulent cases reported involve payment via Western Union. After a buyer sends funds, the receiver breaks contact and the party disappears. You cannot trace the real name of an account holder with a wiring service such as Western Union.

4 - Don't Expect or Send Free Samples

Exporters: Request a nominal payment for samples. When an unknown buyer requests samples while hinting at a large order, it is always wise to request at least a nominal pre-payment. Importers: Request samples to check the quality of product. Order a sample before committing to a significant purchase order to be sure that the product meets your requirements. Be prepared to pay for samples - including shipping costs.

5 - Avoid Shipping Risk

If you are a buyer, you can protect yourself against poor quality by ordering a pre-shipment inspection of the products. You can demand the inspection as a condition to payment. Pay close attention to shipping or contact addresses located in countries with a high reported incidence of online fraud and many e-commerce web sites have found a high incidents of on-line fraud as well, such as Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Macedonia, Colombia, Romania, etc.

6 - Be Wary of Over Generous Offers

Be wary of potential partners who offer an especially high or low price. It is easy to be tempted by such offers, but they are often attempts to defraud. In business, the expression "you get what you pay for" is often painfully true. Be especially diligent to check the contact information, identification and any claims a suspicious trade partner makes. If it sounds unbelievable, it probably is.

 

( liyy )27 Sep,2010

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