Article: Before you even bid on your first item, make sure your PayPal and eBay settings are as secure as possible. It's not a bad idea to have an entirely separate email and bank account dedicated solely to your eBay transactions. The same logic applies to your home address--especially if you're purchasing something from a long-distance seller, consider picking the package up at the post office. This method provides added security coupled with your retention of privacy. If you don't know the playbook, you're liable to end up as a statistic in it. Most eBay scams that target buyers are centered around sending faulty products for an insane mark-up or simply not sending a product outright after payment is delivered.   These kinds of scams happen most often with big-ticket items like cars or property, so if you must purchase a vehicle or something similar through eBay, be sure to insist on a mutual meeting place to do the transaction. You can avoid most basic scams by simply requesting more information about the item and the terms of the item's sale. If the seller is reluctant to give you information or they appear evasive, you should give the item a pass. While this isn't the most accurate way to determine whether or not someone is a scammer, it eliminates the possibility of buying from someone with a ton of negative reviews or a lack of history. This precaution is mostly contextual, so be sure to ask questions. If you contact the seller and they tell you that they've been working on eBay for years when their account was registered last week, that should raise an immediate red flag. If you don't read the fine print and somebody ships you a damaged or faulty item "as is", eBay won't side with you in a dispute. It's shady, but technically legal; therefore, you should spare yourself the trouble by reading through every single detail on the listing before you bid.  If possible, request additional photos or information as well--again, if the seller is reluctant to accommodate your request, they're probably hiding something. Before you even contact a seller, look for negative reviews, a lack of a refund policy, missing or vague information, or requests for money orders, checks, or other third-party payment methods. You should also generally be on the lookout for things that simply sound too good to be true. If you see someone selling a piece of expensive hardware described as "brand new" for well under market price, it's probably a scam. PayPal and eBay both keep records of transactions, and you have access to these records at any time; going through third-party sites or payment methods is a surefire way to lose the support of both companies in the event of a scam. Pay on collection of big-ticket merchandise such as cars, large furniture, or similar items. The easiest way to ensure the cooperation of both parties in an event like this is by meeting face-to-face in a neutral area with plenty of visibility--i.e., a shopping center. eBay and PayPal deal exclusively in written records, so if a seller wants to discuss business over the phone, politely explain this to them. They will likely be dissuaded if they are attempting to scam you. You should keep any written records of transactions for at least a year after the transaction takes place, simply for insurance. In the days following your transaction, keep an eye out for any irregular activity in your bank accounts. If you spot any, contact PayPal, eBay, or your local branch and report the circumstances.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Safeguard your account. Familiarize yourself with common scams. Scope out the user's account. Pay attention to the terms of the transaction. Look for red flags. Always pay through eBay-approved methods. Document everything. Monitor your bank account and PayPal afterwards.

Problem: Article: Though you may be tempted to load up on complex courses, it’s best to space them out. Even if you are extremely interested in the subjects, the course loads may be more than you can bear. While you shouldn’t try to skate through college taking easy classes, it is important to choose classes you think you’ll do well in. Try to balance your workload so that you have a few “easier” classes in the same semester are more labor-intensive ones. Being organized is key to getting things done on time, and in the right way. If you don’t know what assignments are due or what the requirements are for an assignment, how can you expect to do your best and turn it in on time? Make or buy a day planner and organize it for school to keep track of due dates, assignment requirements, and more. You might work best with the music blasting in your dorm room, or in the quiet depths of the library basement. Determine which things help you study (e.g., peace and quiet, eating dinner first, etc.), and which are distractions (e.g., leaving your door open, answering text messages, etc.). It can be hard to skip fun events like fraternity mixers, theme parties, or dorm room dance-offs in favor of hitting the books. However, time spent studying will pay off in the long run. If you really want to graduate cum laude, you have to dedicate yourself to getting the best grades possible. That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, too, as long as your main focus stays on school. For instance, you could reward yourself with one night out a week as long as you are caught up on all your classwork.
Summary: Choose the right courses. Stay organized. Find a good study environment. Prioritize school over socializing.

Your employer has more than likely read your performance reviews. They will know if you are lying or misrepresenting yourself. If you try to give false impressions, it may reflect poorly on you. If you're seeking an internal appointment, it's very likely that the interviewer has already read your performance appraisal and may well have it before them. They might still check the appraisal with your reference providers. Don't deny the bad things. Highlight all the positive perceptions about your work. If you know anything about your interviewer, choose references that you know the interviewer will respect. If faced with challenges, use them as examples of times when you succeed in the face of adversity.  Keep the balance focused on the positive aspects of the appraisal. It's important to focus on what was good in your appraisal and to highlight how you are continuing to achieve the positive aspects. As for the negative aspects, minimize these by focusing only on one and, at the same, talking about what you've since done to overcome the limitation (for example, training, changing work practices, working from home some days, etc.). Keep it straightforward and don't go into too many details on the negatives. For example: "My last performance appraisal was positive confirmation that my skills are well suited to the work I have been undertaking and that I am ready to move into a higher position. The appraisal showed that I am good with clients, supportive with my colleagues, and always meet my deadlines. It was suggested that I have a tendency to over-explain the procedures to clients, so I have taken great care since to ensure that I don't bury clients in the details and I believe that this demonstrates that I respond well to feedback and have learned how to ensure the best client experience, which is why I believe I am well placed for this promotion." Take responsibility. Don't become embarrassed or shy away from faults. This will reflect poorly on you. By taking the reigns, you show authority and a desire to strengthen your worth as an employee. Entrepreneurs value employees who seek to better themselves.
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One-sentence summary --
Tell the truth. Focus on the good things. Address problems if asked.