According to the Internet Fraud Watch site (www. fraud.org), auctions are the most common places where Web users can fall victim to fraud. One popular auction scam involves the sale of travel-related items or services. Individuals claim to sell nonrefundable but transferable airline tickets or frequent flyer miles, but the highest bidder either gets nothing or a useless travel voucher.

For safety tips, see "7 e-tail tips," March issue, page 94, and "How secure is online buying?" April issue, page 8, and www. farmindustrynews.com.