Security is a top priority for eBay this year

Security is a top priority for eBay this year

Executives at eBay Inc. have said in a statement that security is their top priority this year as online phishing scams are increasingly becoming a threat for their reputation online.

The company has already begun taking steps to ensure security for their customers. They began a program last year to safeguard members’ identities by concealing their user names on expensive listings.

They are also working hard on making sure that sellers cannot list counterfeit items on the web based stores. In addition, they are also trying to clamp down on scams between buyers and sellers from different countries.

William C. Cobb, president of eBay North America said in a statement on these initiatives: “It’s no secret that online criminals who target sites like eBay and PayPal have grown in number and sophistication over time. Where we’ve historically put an emphasis on transparency and free choice, today the security threats are more complex, and we’re more actively protecting our buyers from fraud.”

Company spokesman Hani Durzy added: “We’re never going to completely stop the bad guys from using the Internet, but we do know that negative experiences are a major reason people leave eBay — and they pass along word of mouth to other people. In 2007, you’ll see a sea change in our approach to trust and safety.”