Buying something privately - not received

corinne14470

hi all, I paid into someones account through a mums networking site for a mobile phone to the sum of £120. To cut a long story short ie what communication has happened etc, it appears I have been gullible (for first time) and I have not received it> is ther anything I can do. I only have their bank details and name ....:(:(:(

blue_haddock

Well realistically you can kiss goodbye to the money.

Possibly speak to the admins of the site to see if they have any contact details with which you can raise a small claims court action against them and report it to the police. many forces have a specific internet crime sqaud to deal with such scams.

I still doubt you'll get anything back though.

4743hudsonj

corinne14470 wrote: »

hi all, I paid into someones account through a mums networking site for a mobile phone to the sum of £120. To cut a long story short ie what communication has happened etc, it appears I have been gullible (for first time) and I have not received it> is ther anything I can do. I only have their bank details and name ....:(:(:(

Report it to the police and get a crime number, contact her if possible (bombard her) and ask your bank for a chargeback.

If shes dishonest though none are likely to get you your phone or money and its your loss for paying for goods like this

corinne14470

thanks for suggestions and though I realise my stupidity , is there no way of paying someone like this as they would only wait for a cheque (so same scenario) and if it was via paypal I believe there is no safeguard if not a business seller and this buying/selling of unwanted possessions life we all lead must cause problems everywhere...?

KeithP

corinne14470 wrote: »

thanks for suggestions and though I realise my stupidity , is there no way of paying someone like this as they would only wait for a cheque (so same scenario) and if it was via paypal I believe there is no safeguard if not a business seller and this buying/selling of unwanted possessions life we all lead must cause problems everywhere...?

Yes there are ways to do it.

By far the best is of course to meet face to face and exchange goods/money.

If that's not possible, obtain an address. Then check that address is a real address.
The Post Office's postcode finder will help with that.

Get a landline phone number. Ring it to check who answers.

For something like a mobile phone, maybe ask the vendor for a digital photo of him/her holding the device. Genuine sellers won't mind.

If you are parting with a lot of money then subscribe to something like 192.com. This will allow you to check who lives at the given address... assuming they're on the electoral roll.

If any of the checks produce dubious results, walk away.


Having said all that, nothing's foolproof.

4743hudsonj

or get them to list it on ebay for you as buy it now and then buy it. Offer to pay extra for the fee's etc (they can add it on to the list price).

This is the only fullproof way to ensure your protected as you can be.