Bank - bacs transfer scam

Craig_b_4

Hi all. I hope someone can help?

Recently (rather stupidly) I paid a couple of people via Bacs transfer for items that we advertised on Gunmtree. Having called both people and confirmed that they were genuine etc, they both gave me their bank details. however the items haven't arrived (after 2 1/2 weeks) and both mobile numbers supplied go directly to answer phone. I have been communicating via email with one of them who said last Friday (5th June) that they would refund me but since then - nothing, no replies to emails etc.

I have been scammed big time! so I have told the police and given them all the information, emails, tel numbers and bank details.

My question is - given the police have bank details - will they be able to chase these people (surely the bank will give them the addresses of the said crims!!) and what is the possibility of recovering my money - my bank doesnt want to know as it was sent by me and not 'hijacked' from my bank account!

Is there anything else I can do??

Yours - 'desperately seeking my money back' Craig B

Hippyer

I fell for this once. I told trading standards and then never heard anything again.
Sorry I don't have a more uplifting story.

Craig_b_4

Hi Hippyer - thanks for this - I have been scammed in the past and indeed you are correct in your summarising of the 'Trading Standards' - useless springs to mind.

Thanks anyway.

Lokolo

You have their bank details?

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
..etc.

Set up a few Direct Debits.

Might go through with or without address, not sure.

Craig_b_4

Do you mean bank details? If so, yes I have their bank details which have been passed on to police - I'm not sure on your point though Lokolo - sorry if I'm being a bit dim.

Ta
Craig

Ah - sorry - I get you now. The problem is - they have mine too!

Cloister

What Loko is not saying is you could set up charitable donations in their name, the reason this is not being said is that it's a little bit illegal and no-one would encourage this.

McKneff

Cloister wrote: »

What Loko is not saying is you could set up charitable donations in their name, the reason this is not being said is that it's a little bit illegal and no-one would encourage this.

ooohh yes, that is really, really sneaky, but what a bliddy good idea.
I will have to remember that one.

soolin

What is the point in setting up fake DDs though All the actual owner of the account has to do is claim under the DD guarantee and get their money back. The only people that lose are the charities who suddenly find their donations being withdrawn and have to spend time sorting out their accounts to show payments returned etc.

I work for a charity and find this is very poor taste, it is hard enough already to manage with hardly any paid employees and to have to spend time sorting out a practical joke like this would make me very cross.

Craig_b_4

I completely agree - I'm really not in for revenge - I just want my money back - lowering myself to their level really won't do it for me..

I guess I shall wait and see what the police come back with - after all they have their bank details.

Cheers
Craig

Extant

Unfortunately, each police force in the UK seems to have a varying standard of what they actually care about when it comes to cards/cheque/transfer scams, etc.

How much money are we talking about here?

DesG

Godd luck with getting your money back, but could I just suggest that you change the thread title, this is nothing to do with a BACS transfer scam.

You sent them the money willingly, there was no scam involved in that process. You have obviously learnt a valuable life lesson here.

In case you are still thinking that maybe you will get your money back, you won't. It is a common scam, offer high value desireable goods at a good price, and milk payments from as many people as possible.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Cheers, Des.