Well, we’re only a week away from the next big thing in EVE Online! Seven days from now, they’ll drop the Tyrannis expansion, and the planetary exploitation can begin!

Of course, everyone has been working like crazy to have enough funds to make their first colonies really worth their while. This means hoarding plenty of isk to buy the new stuff with, and also spending some on upgrading their fleet to protect their new investments. The costs are going to be astronomical! I’m just hoping I can have my titan finished in time to make a difference. It doesn’t seem too likely at this point.

Now the big thing that I have to warn everyone about during expansion times is the insane number of scams that start cropping up. More people than ever have a good reason to buy isk, after all. So here are a few tips to help keep you safe from the unscrupulous types.

First off, remember to do your research before picking a site. Check for any third-party reviews you can. Not the reviews right on the site. Those can be faked way too easily to be considered reliable. Check out Bizrate or other sites for some independent opinions, too.

Don’t get suckered into sending money orders. Scammers like to claim this is the only way to avoid getting caught buying isk, but instead it’s really just an easy way for them to walk away with your money. After the order gets cashed, it’s as good as gone. The EVE devs can’t pull your credit card or paypal transactions without tons of probable cause, so don’t sweat it.

I pity the fool who don’t have a money-back guarantee! These are the best thing to see on a site. They indicate a site with longevity in mind. Plus you know they’ll take extra precautions to ensure you don’t get busted because their money and reputation is on the line. If you need to see what a good example of these things look like, head over to Toonstorm.com. Theirs is worded really well.

Finally, use your common sense. Bad sites have a tendency to make really ridiculous claims to try and get people in the door, so to speak. Check with sites that you know and trust, then compare what they offer to the other site. If it all sounds too good to be true, then it is. If it’s more in line with reality, then I’d go ahead and consider it.

Hello again,

Last week I said I would work on some tips and hints for buying Eve Isk safely. So, as promised, this week I wanted to give you a rundown of some of the mistakes people make when trying to buy Isk… and hopefully help you avoid some of those pitfalls that can occur. Some of this may seem obvious to you if you’re a veteran buyer, but much of it bears repeating anyway. And for those of you looking to buy Eve Isk for the first time, it’s definitely worth a quick read. So, without further ado, the DO’s and DON’TS of Isk buying:

DON’T  be fooled by outrageous claims. If it looks way too good to be true….well, you know the rest. Sites offering 1000 gold for $5 are probably out to scam you and take your money. Sad but true. Also look at their delivery time claims…..think hard about what is humanly possible.

DO run any sites you’re interested in through a google search. Often the worst scammers will have been labeled by now and discussions and warnings will pop up in a search. There are also sites dedicated to exposing scams, try those out as well. It’s worth the extra few minutes of your time to be sure. 

DON’T send any money unless you know it’s being sent over a secure connection. I won’t go into details here, but if you’re not sure how to tell if your transaction is secure, there is plenty of information out there, just Google “how do I know my transaction is secure” or something similar. This is so important when you’re giving out your credit card number.

DO look for a money-back guarantee (such as the one offered by toonstorm.com.) Any site worth its salt will offer you a full refund or equal credit if anything goes wrong. If they can’t promise you that, don’t waste your time or risk your money.

So that’s just a few quick things to keep in mind next time you go to buy Eve Isk. Wishing you best of luck and happy gaming!