Beware the Dark Side

This week’s Blast from the Past is more sage-like advice on the topic of trading about the most vile of the vile! Travel backward in time to a time where 32 was the maximum item trade limit, and that will never stop being relevant for those of you who peddle your digital wares. – Travis R Chance: Content Manager

During my time on MTGO I have witnessed many cases of fraud and scams. Unfortunately we will never get rid of scammers and the only way to protect yourself from losing cards, tix or money is to know how to ensure safe trading and what to avoid when trading online.

Most scams involve either:

1.) scams during trading
2.) scams while processing third party payments

Unfortunately we still have the 32 item limit in place that prevents traders from exchanging more then 32 cards/tickets at the same time. This measure, which was probably set to increase safety is actually doing exactly the opposite; it reduces safety. There are many cards out there that sell for more then 32 tickets. Some for much more. Sure you can trade your foil Underground Sea (worth about 180 tickets) for 32 tickets first and hope the other person is honest OR you can demand to take the tickets first, but how does the other person know YOU are honest?

Many people get scammed here because they trust the other person and hope for the best. There is an easy method to ensure that you will both be protected. People that trade frequently probably know it but for everyone else, here is how it works.

1.) Trade your foil Sea for CARDS worth 180 tix (e.g. 4 Bitterblossom + 3 Tundra + 5 tix)
2.) Trade the cards back one by one for the amount of tix the card is worth.

With this method you are protecting both parties from a scam. If the other person “does not like this” he probably tried to scam you and you better say goodbye!

Also when trading make sure to make use of the second confirmation screen. Check if everything is okay and that the other party didn’t exchange cards! Don’t get scammed because you are to lazy to check the cards for 20 seconds! If the client is lagging wait till the cards appear…

Another area where many people get scammed is when they buy or sell cards with $. Many players offer “poker money” for cards and promise to pay after they receive the cards. I can tell you only that you should NOT do that unless you know the person very well. Too many people take your cards and run. Good luck getting law enforcement to help you out there. If you are selling cards for “poker money” and the other person wants the money first you should be equally suspicious; its just to easy to take your money and not deliver. You have been warned!

Another area that is used for scams seems very safe and legit at first but can be easily used against you – Paypal. If you receive Paypal money paid through a credit card and think everything is fine now and give away your cards you can be set for a nasty surprise. Credit card payments over Paypal (and other sources as well) can be canceled and the owner will be refunded! Yep, you had the money for a short time at least, but your cards are gone. The only way I would allow someone to pay me with Paypal is when he is using Paypal funds, no credit cards please!

In general minimize your risk by exchanging address, telephone number etc. Call them! Scammers don’t like to expose themselves by giving this information away. It’s not 100% effective, but better thn nothing.

Stay safe and if you encounter any kind of scam don’t forget to report the scammer to Wizards. Afterward, post them on the “scammer boards” at mtgotraders.com. Only if you act you can help yourself and your fellow players. Please feel free to post a comment if you encounter any kind of scam that was not mentioned or you have another idea how to protect yourself.

Happy trading!

Marin (Plejades)