Asking a seller to identify themselves in a website Auction

2 replies
Hi gang,

I'm hoping you can help me. I've been researching websites on Flippa, here, and digital point. I'm in the market to buy a website in the $10K range. Naturally, for that kind of money, I'm pretty serious about due diligence.

Now, let's face it. Buying a website on flippa or anywhere else is most definitely a "Buyer beware" situation. I can't even begin to list the number of times people have tried to scam me. Part of the reason for this is, naturally, the lack of positive identification necessary on the internet to conduct business.

Can you think of a SINGLE offline 10K business transaction where you wouldn't be asked for identification? I can't. Every professional transaction for services on the internet requires identification in the form of a credit card.

Here's my question: Is it fair to ask a seller to provide proof of his identity by scanning his driver's license, passport, or other official government ID?

Of course, he can take out his/her address, or other non-pertinent info. But is it fair to want to know exactly who you are dealing with? I understand that he could fake his ID, and this no "safe tablet" that shields you from the thieves of this world, but knowing who you are dealing with is a (basic) step in the right direction.

Any comments, hints, suggestions on keeping safe in this regard is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
#auction #identify #seller #website
  • Profile picture of the author TryBPO
    Hey David...you make a great point.

    As sellers, we make a point to give our full names, link to our LinkedIn profiles, share our story, etc. It's extremely helpful in garnering trust...which is especially useful on a place like Flippa. We recommend to all our readers/listeners that they do the same.

    That being said...I know that some people value their anonymity more than I do and are willing to take less money to stay private. It's not necessarily a fact that anyone not willing to reveal their identity is a scammer...just wanted to put that out there. Still...I think you're right in that if you're planning to spend 10K+ it seems extremely peculiar to not actually know who you're dealing with.

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  • Profile picture of the author David Sieg
    Hi Justin,

    Thanks for the reply. I should have qualified that a little more. I meant, positively identifying themselves as a condition of escrow. Meaning, before I release any money, I want to know EXACTLY who I'm dealing with. You'd be surprised at the number of scammers this one condition keeps away. :+) The great part is, putting it into a contract before putting money into escrow, no one will hold against you, including flippa, or escrow.com I wasn't really talking about REAL sellers. Most will identify themselves at that point, no problem. It isn't an issue.

    All the best to you.
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