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VIP Answers
What does VIP stand for?
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VIP stands for Verification of Identity by Phone.
What is the purpose of the VIP Program?
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The VIP Program was designed to help verify that a member is actually who they say they are. Unfortunately, it
is very easy for online 'scammers' to falsify their identity. This program is a simple but effective tool in helping to verify a person's identity.
How does the program work?
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Participants in the VIP Program will receive a phone call from Bidville.
The call will be placed to the member's registered phone number and will occur within minutes of the member's request. The member will be given a unique confirmation code.
The member is then asked to return to the Bidville website and enter this code into the online VIP form. Once complete, the member is now participating in the VIP Program. This simple step tells our community that the member have been verified by phone.
How else does Bidville verify a member's identity?
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Bidville has always required that all sellers have a valid credit card on file with us. The credit card must pass
all validation processes through our processors, QuickCommerce and Authorize.net. This step checks the existence and validity
of the credit card number entered. It also uses a universal system know as AVS (Click Here for details) to check the billing address of the credit card.
If the billing address does not match the credit card, a member will be rejected as a seller.
This system is just one tool in the fight against online fraud.
Unfortunately, most fraudsters can fool the AVS system by simply knowing the correct billing address of the unauthorized credit card they are using.
What about verifying a member's home address? Is this possible?
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The best way to verify a member's physical address is by requiring proof of a utility bill, credit card bill or driver's license. This is usually
accomplished by having someone fax a document with the correct information to your business. This method is not very practical, takes a long time to complete and requires alot 'manpower' to accomplish.
It is also not very safe to transmit these documents via fax as identity theft can easily occur this way. That's why very few online businesses use this technique.
As of 10/15/05, Bidville implemented an innovative solution. We are using a database of known and valid USA and Canada home addresses and phone numbers. This is a publicly available database.
It helps verify that the address entered in our registration or credit card form actually exists, and is real. If not, the member is prompted to re-enter valid information and is prevented from registering until doing so.
While this system is also not perfect, it is another step in our crusade to keep our communtity safe.
Who can participate?
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The VIP Program is currently open to all registered members from the USA and Canada with a credit card or checking account on file with Bidville.
International sellers will not be able to
participate at this time. We hope to add this in this ability
in the near future. However, International sellers are all
pre-screened by Bidville Customer Service staff members before
activating their Seller Account.
Will bidders be able to participate? I'm more interested in fraudulent bidders.
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Bidders will not be able to participate unless they also have a credit card or checking account on file with Bidville. We are very aware that fraudulent bidders
plague the internet and we plan to open the VIP program to bidders very soon. In addition we will soon be releasing information
on another innovative program Bidville is pioneering - the SAFE (Sellers Against Fraudulent E-Commerce) Program.
The SAFE Program will allow sellers to set their own security level on their auctions. Combine this with the soon to be released "Checkout" system and a Bidder VIP Program,
and sellers will soon be rid of fraudulent bidders. Only here at Bidville. Click Here for more information on the SAFE Program.
Why should I participate?
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Participation for all USA and Canada sellers is highly recommended. It is a requirement for all new sellers who joined after 11/12/2005. We believe that participation in this program will increase your sales.
Buyers will feel more confident that you are a serious seller. Even if you have excellent feedback from prior transactions, this is one more simple step
to show that you are a responsible seller.
Who is going to call me?
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Your phone call will come from Bidville's Automated Registration Telephone (BART). BART
is computer generated and will speak to you in clearly spoken English. He will introduce himself and prompt you to get a pen and paper to write down
your VIP password. He will also repeat your password for you in case you didn't hear it. (BART is pretty cool!)
How long does it take?
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The entire process can be completed in just a few minutes.
Is there a fee for this service?
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The VIP program is provided for free.
Is my personal information safe?
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Bidville is serious about our Privacy Policy. The VIP Program is no exception.
If you are a registered seller, we already have your phone number in our files. It is not shared with anyone.
How will potential bidders know that I am part of the VIP program?
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A special VIP icon  will be placed next to your User Name to indicate you are a participant.
Is this system perfect? Can it be fooled?
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No fraud protection system is perfect. Online fraudsters always seem to find ways around the 'rules'. The VIP Program
is just one more layer of added protection to help keep our community safe. We believe it is unlikely that fraudsters will allow us
to call their actual phone number. If they do, and they are determined to be a fraudster, we can then help law enforcement agencies
track them down.
I'm ready to get started. What do I do?
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To begin the process, use the 'Enroll Now' button here or at the top of this page.
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