EBAY - Scam or are we all getting too suspicious these days

Flibble

Flibble

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 September 2007
Messages
4,282
Location
Gloucestershire
www.annamason-art.co.uk
So I posted once before about advertising a bicycle on EBAY local pickup only.

Purchaser lives miles away and doesnt drive.

Emails me because she is going to come by train so I agree to drive to station with said bicycle.

Morning of train email from sister to say she has had to go into hospital to have her appendix out.

24 hours later Sister asks me for my Bank Details to pay for Bicycle.

I would like to think they are genuine so I emaild back and said not to worry I will hang onto bicycle until she is better.

I did not supply my bank details pf course.
 
I'd report it to ebay just incase it is a scam, they may have had other reports about her, what is her rating has she had good feed back etc, if she is a newish member more than likely a scam and she could do it to someone else who's not as clude up as you.
 
Why on earth would you not supply your bank details? If you give out sort code, A/c number and A/c name what do you think someone is going to do with them? Pay money into your account!

Think about it, every time you write a cheque you give out those details, plus your signature.

I'd say they definitely were genuine and were concerned not to lose the bike or upset you as a seller.
 
If she pays by PayPal it is far riskier for the OP, after all if and when the buyer does collect the bike as it has not been sent by trackable means the buyer could theoretically do a chargeback and the OP WOULD lose as she cannot provide tracking details.

If the buyer pays by bank transfer once the money has gone from her account into the OP's she can't reclaim it - well not after 24 hours anyway.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Why on earth would you not supply your bank details? If you give out sort code, A/c number and A/c name what do you think someone is going to do with them? Pay money into your account!

Think about it, every time you write a cheque you give out those details, plus your signature.

I'd say they definitely were genuine and were concerned not to lose the bike or upset you as a seller.

[/ QUOTE ]

Give these details to an unknown, who as a winning bidder...ALREADY holds your full name and address....
and you instantly leave yourself open to indentity fraud.

What can they do you ask.... take a peek at the securit pages of your own bank website... you'll get a feel for the VERY dim view they will take!
Leave yourself open to fraud and you'll rapidly lose any support from your bank should you get ripped and your account emptied!

OP dont do it...EVER... and it is a recognised fraud method on ebay and other seller communities.
 
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If she pays by PayPal it is far riskier for the OP, after all if and when the buyer does collect the bike as it has not been sent by trackable means the buyer could theoretically do a chargeback and the OP WOULD lose as she cannot provide tracking details.

If the buyer pays by bank transfer once the money has gone from her account into the OP's she can't reclaim it - well not after 24 hours anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

No but she prepares two copies of a receipt containing the buyer's details and hers and gets the buyer to sign both copies. She keeps one and the buyer keeps the other. In the event of a dispute, both have proof of exchange of goods and money.
 
Giving out bank details is fairly normal, as all companies do so they can process cheaper BACS payments

What is more likely is that they would deposit a fraudulent cheque into the bank account for more than the bike is worth. Then ask you to refund the difference when they collect the bike.

The cheque would then bounce on working day 10-20 and you would be left out of pocket for the cash and with no bike.

If anyone ever deliberately overpays by a large amount (Over £5) never ever refund as its a con or money laundering scheme.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Why on earth would you not supply your bank details? If you give out sort code, A/c number and A/c name what do you think someone is going to do with them? Pay money into your account!

Think about it, every time you write a cheque you give out those details, plus your signature.

I'd say they definitely were genuine and were concerned not to lose the bike or upset you as a seller.

[/ QUOTE ]

Give these details to an unknown, who as a winning bidder...ALREADY holds your full name and address....
and you instantly leave yourself open to indentity fraud.

What can they do you ask.... take a peek at the securit pages of your own bank website... you'll get a feel for the VERY dim view they will take!
Leave yourself open to fraud and you'll rapidly lose any support from your bank should you get ripped and your account emptied!

OP dont do it...EVER... and it is a recognised fraud method on ebay and other seller communities.

[/ QUOTE ]

But everytime you send a cheque for any goods you are doing just that, as well as supplying your signature!!
confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If she pays by PayPal it is far riskier for the OP, after all if and when the buyer does collect the bike as it has not been sent by trackable means the buyer could theoretically do a chargeback and the OP WOULD lose as she cannot provide tracking details.

If the buyer pays by bank transfer once the money has gone from her account into the OP's she can't reclaim it - well not after 24 hours anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

No but she prepares two copies of a receipt containing the buyer's details and hers and gets the buyer to sign both copies. She keeps one and the buyer keeps the other. In the event of a dispute, both have proof of exchange of goods and money.

[/ QUOTE ]

PayPal don't accept that as proof, you have not complied with their T&Cs as you have not sent by trackable means and so are not entitled to their Seller Protection programme. Sure you can take it the Small Claims court but it's a lot of hassle.
 
FWIW Fibble I would not have given my bank details either. Companies are perhaps fine to do this, but as an individual I would not be in the habit of giving out this information freely either ( except of course if I paid via cheque which is rare these days), since it is individuals that are more likely to get ripped off with ID fraud.
If this person is genuine about the bike they will be in touch. If not then just re-list it, ( although obviously you will have selling fee to pay from first time). If this person is a fake or timewaster then if it was me I would also block them from bidding on your items again and name and shame too, as I have done in the past with non paying bidders.
As sellers we have to continually jump through hoops to comply with Ebay's rules and policies so why should the buyer have it all so good all the time. It really angers me. There are genuine sellers ( like me and others) selling on that site and yet you can get bogus buyers ripping us off. These people should be named and shamed in my personal opinion. Grrh!
 
I am a Bank Manager I deal with fraud regularly.
Do not give out your sort code and account number.
As Bolton Rider says, they already have your name, address and your email address. When they have your sort code and account number they will have more information about you. In a few weeks, you will probably receive a 'survey' asking for your date of birth, favourite animals names ect.
They slowly collect little bits of information that when they put it all together, they can easliy commit identity fraud.
 
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