RSS
Subscribe to magazine
Follow us on:
  • Recommend:
  • 0 Comments

Who's Holding Your Money?

Online escrow services promise to protect you from auction scammers, but do they deliver?

By Andrew Brandt, PCWorld   

Services Not for Everyone

So when should you even consider an escrow service? If you're the buyer, you might want to try using one if the seller can't accept a credit card or if the value of the purchase is more than you're willing to risk losing. If you're the seller, you might use a service if you want some legal recourse if the deal goes sour after you've shipped the goods.

Of course, before you use any online escrow business, call or e-mail the service and ask whether it's licensed to operate as an escrow service in any state.

The company should offer its license number or other corroborative information that you can check with the licensing agency. And if you're not certain that an Internet escrow service is up to snuff, you can call the California Department of Corporations (800/347-6995 from within California or 213/576-6201 from outside the state) or the National Fraud Information Center at 800/876-7060.

Associate Editor Andrew Brandt covers Internet security, privacy, and consumer issues for PCWorld.com

Would you recommend this story? YES NO

  • Recommend:
  • 0 Comments

  • Speed Up Everything!

    PCWorld shows you the secrets to improve performance on all your hardware.

    Get the Superguide now!

Lenovo Laptop Deals

Subscribe to the Laptop Link Newsletter - weekly

See All Newsletters »
Today's Special Offers
Editors' Picks