Buyer Beware!

There is a darker side to collecting antiques, and even before there was an Internet, there were many ways to dupe an unsuspecting novice. The Internet makes it easier and quicker for the crook, and harder for the victim to fight back. This is the first in a two-part series on fraud, both in using the Internet to purchase antiques and collectibles, and in knowing how to recognize fakes and reproductions when you are buying elsewhere.

We are warned constantly about giving our credit card info to strangers on the telephone, and yet many consumers blithely give out such personal data on the Internet. Security on the Internet has improved dramatically in the last few years, but you as a buyer should remain cautious.

Don't purchase anything by credit card over the Internet unless the web site you are purchasing from states it has an encrypted server/browser. Every encrypted web page has an icon in the lower right corner that looks like a padlock. Always look for this! Also, the URL address will start with "https", instead of "http." The information should also be clearly explained somewhere on the first page or transaction page. Otherwise, look for a toll-free number or a mailing address, and complete the transaction offline. There should also be assurances by the web site that your personal information will not be sold to third parties or mailing lists. Print out the completed form or page afterward so you'll have a hard-copy backup of the transaction, and watch for a confirmation e-mail.

Beware that if an offer of anything from a Justin Bieber autograph to rare ephemera sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Rare art, firearms, jewelry and ancient artifacts are among the most popular items you may see offered, perhaps on a web site that appears quite reputable. Before accepting the seller's word for the legitimacy of the object, ask for written verification, documentation of its provenance, or a copy of an estate insurance appraisal and bill of sale. There are also web sites where you may see lists of stolen items posted, with assistance in determining if the item you want has been reported as stolen.