WORLD FIRST PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN QLD POLICE AND EBAY
Published Thursday, 09 August, 2007 at 01:33 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
The Queensland Police Service and online marketplace eBay have teamed up in a world first initiative which will help protect consumers rights online, Minister for Police Judy Spence said today.
“As with all transactions, consumer protection is vital and the Queensland Police Service and eBay are at the forefront of consumer protection in cyberspace,” Ms Spence said.
“In the past if a consumer had a complaint when an item they purchased on a site like eBay didn’t arrive or was not what was described, they often made a complaint straight to police.
“In many cases police found that if the consumer contacted their online auction site or the seller directly their complaint could be easily handled without police involvement.
“So the Queensland Police Service has launched a website which will direct consumers who have a complaint to eBay’s dispute resolution processes.
“Police expect this initiative will settle around 70% of disputes without police becoming involved.”
Ms Spence said police will direct anyone with a complaint back to the eBay website at www.ebay.com.au to check the terms of sale, deal directly with the seller, raise a dispute with eBay or file a dispute with PayPal if they used that online payment method.
“On most occasions the matter will be resolved however if the consumer is still not happy they can then report the matter to Queensland police.”
“Queensland police have also set up a website to direct people on how to make a complaint at www.police.qld.gov.au/onlineauctionfraud.”
eBay Australia Trust and Safety Director Alastair MacGibbon said while the overwhelming majority of transactions on eBay are trouble free, eBay is delighted with the proactive approach taken by Queensland police to address issues when they arise.
“Where matters are being investigated by Queensland police, eBay will provide information including victim details, complete background information of the person under investigation and advice on what may be required for any search warrants,” Mr MacGibbon said.
“eBay’s ability to help law enforcement in this way means that any attempt to commit wrongdoing on eBay can be more easily dealt with than other more traditional forms of offline crime.”
Ms Spence said the cooperation between Queensland police and eBay and other online marketplaces has already resulted in one person being charged while 29 other complaints are being investigated.
“Of note is the fact that 18 of these complaints relate to only four offenders.”
“Not all of these complaints have come from Queensland residents and this is another aspect of this initiative which showcases the Queensland Police Service’s leadership in protecting consumer right online.
“If a consumer is not happy with the dispute resolution process they are directed to the Queensland Police Services website even if they are from interstate.
“Once Queensland police determine a complaint relates to another jurisdiction they will pass that complaint onto police in other states.
“Effectively the Queensland Police Service is acting as the coordinating authority in Australia for complaints about online marketplace transactions.”
Commissioner Bob Atkinson said there have been cases reported through this new on-line site where international based offenders had sold cars, caravans and high-end electrical goods and defrauded innocent people of significant sums of money.
“This initiative accelerates the reporting and investigation process and we strongly believe that a more timely investigation will limit the opportunity for serial offenders to commit other offences. We hope to detect them early and put a stop to this type of offence,” he said.
Ms Spence said the commitment of the Queensland Police Service and eBay will increase confidence in the use of the internet for consumer transactions.
“If people know there are avenues for them to make complaints if they don’t get what they paid for then they will feel more confident in making transactions on sites like eBay.”
Media Contact: Ms Spence’s Office: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
Police Media: 3015 2444
eBay: Sian Kennedy 02 8288 0057, 0401 227 385
“As with all transactions, consumer protection is vital and the Queensland Police Service and eBay are at the forefront of consumer protection in cyberspace,” Ms Spence said.
“In the past if a consumer had a complaint when an item they purchased on a site like eBay didn’t arrive or was not what was described, they often made a complaint straight to police.
“In many cases police found that if the consumer contacted their online auction site or the seller directly their complaint could be easily handled without police involvement.
“So the Queensland Police Service has launched a website which will direct consumers who have a complaint to eBay’s dispute resolution processes.
“Police expect this initiative will settle around 70% of disputes without police becoming involved.”
Ms Spence said police will direct anyone with a complaint back to the eBay website at www.ebay.com.au to check the terms of sale, deal directly with the seller, raise a dispute with eBay or file a dispute with PayPal if they used that online payment method.
“On most occasions the matter will be resolved however if the consumer is still not happy they can then report the matter to Queensland police.”
“Queensland police have also set up a website to direct people on how to make a complaint at www.police.qld.gov.au/onlineauctionfraud.”
eBay Australia Trust and Safety Director Alastair MacGibbon said while the overwhelming majority of transactions on eBay are trouble free, eBay is delighted with the proactive approach taken by Queensland police to address issues when they arise.
“Where matters are being investigated by Queensland police, eBay will provide information including victim details, complete background information of the person under investigation and advice on what may be required for any search warrants,” Mr MacGibbon said.
“eBay’s ability to help law enforcement in this way means that any attempt to commit wrongdoing on eBay can be more easily dealt with than other more traditional forms of offline crime.”
Ms Spence said the cooperation between Queensland police and eBay and other online marketplaces has already resulted in one person being charged while 29 other complaints are being investigated.
“Of note is the fact that 18 of these complaints relate to only four offenders.”
“Not all of these complaints have come from Queensland residents and this is another aspect of this initiative which showcases the Queensland Police Service’s leadership in protecting consumer right online.
“If a consumer is not happy with the dispute resolution process they are directed to the Queensland Police Services website even if they are from interstate.
“Once Queensland police determine a complaint relates to another jurisdiction they will pass that complaint onto police in other states.
“Effectively the Queensland Police Service is acting as the coordinating authority in Australia for complaints about online marketplace transactions.”
Commissioner Bob Atkinson said there have been cases reported through this new on-line site where international based offenders had sold cars, caravans and high-end electrical goods and defrauded innocent people of significant sums of money.
“This initiative accelerates the reporting and investigation process and we strongly believe that a more timely investigation will limit the opportunity for serial offenders to commit other offences. We hope to detect them early and put a stop to this type of offence,” he said.
Ms Spence said the commitment of the Queensland Police Service and eBay will increase confidence in the use of the internet for consumer transactions.
“If people know there are avenues for them to make complaints if they don’t get what they paid for then they will feel more confident in making transactions on sites like eBay.”
Media Contact: Ms Spence’s Office: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
Police Media: 3015 2444
eBay: Sian Kennedy 02 8288 0057, 0401 227 385