Although Mark Kinsler posed some interesting ideas about warning
potential bidders about questionable items, the maintaining of an
unverifiable list of possible fraudulent items could be construed as
harassment.  Along the same lines, it opens the door for unwarranted
third party harassment.

All of us should want to protect both experienced and novice collectors.
The best way is through education.  Now, more than ever, that education is
readily available, especially online.  Merely warning about a particular
item that is currently up for bid does little to further educate within
a given field nor to prevent the item from selling.  Buyers need knowledge
about the type of item they seek and then they need to know how to bid
or purchase safely, minimizing the risk.

Jayne Hitchcock, the president of Working to Halt Online Abuse (WHOA,
www.haltabuse.org), has written an excellent book called "Net Crimes &
Misdemeanors".  The 2nd edition is now available through bookstores (on
and off line) and at www.netcrimes.net .  The foreword is written by
Vint Cerf, Internet Pioneer, Vice President & Chief Internet Evangelist
of Google.com.  It is an outstanding book for both the novice and
experienced Internet user detailing all aspects of cyber safety, with
true stories and practical safety tips.  There is a chapter on online
auctions that thoroughly covers the topic and all the safety measures.

Debbie Legg