Four Tips to Avoid Phishers

In the five or so minutes it will take you to read this article, nearly 100 people will become victims of identity fraud, with total losses of more than $600,000, according to a survey by Javelin Strategy & Research. A recent random test of eBay (EBAY Quote) community members shows 11% fell for a typical spoof or phishing scam, which account for about 10% of all identity fraud cases each year.

As you're buying or selling goods on eBay, here are four tips for protecting yourself online.

1. Your eBay and PayPal passwords should be different. Each should have eight characters, varying four letters and four numbers (e.g., 4j2o1m9s).

2. Never open any email from eBay or PayPal from your regular email account. Always go to "My eBay," scroll down the left side and click "My Messages." If the email really is from eBay, it will be duplicated there. For "real" PayPal messages, log in to your Paypal account. Any important information will be in the top left-hand corner of your main PayPal page.

3. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Use your common sense when interacting online. Don't get caught up in the excitement of what seems like a great deal.

4. If you start a transaction on eBay, don't take it outside eBay. Always complete your transactions on eBay so you can take advantage of the protections eBay and PayPal provide, including PayPal's Seller Protection Policy and numerous Buyer Protection options.

Gold PowerSellers Troy Ylitalo, 41, and Sarah Linn, 54, of the eBay Store Period Paper, value the protection eBay provides for their Nashville, Tenn.-based online business selling prints of advertising and antique art.