trying to sell car......

caevans

Hi everyone
We are trying to sell our car at the moment, with sadly little interest so far. However we have had 2 x texts asking us to email more details/photos to an email address. We have emailed them (though something about their texts screamed scam!). Both individuals then asked us for our paypal account as they wanted to buy the car (without seeing it!). Obviously this is some sort of scam and I don't want to get into a dialogue with them, but am curious as to what the scam is? Why are they asking for paypal details? thinking maybe stolen credit card or something?
Just want to satisfy my curiosity!
Thanks :-)

Lilibee

It could be a hacked/stolen paypal account. Recently happened to a friend of my OH's after selling a macbook on ebay, buyer collected in person but then she was contacted by paypal as the real account holder had flagged it as fradulent.

It's caused all sorts of problems with her accounts as everything was stopped while they investigated. Apparently she will only be getting £500 now, even though the sold price was much higher, as that's the limit paypal 'insure' for (or so I've been told, not sure how it works myself).

Of course, it could also have been a friend of the account holder who collected, and they've just got a free macbook out of it...

Jaxer

I read about something along these lines just the other day. Seems like Paypal isn't the best payment method for items collected in person. I'd be very careful.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/jan/27/is-paypal-safe-protection?newsfeed=true

Strider590

http://www.used-car-advisor.com/car-buyer-scam.htm

^^^

In addition they may ask you to ship the car out somewhere at their cost, they'll send payment by another payment method, then cancel the payment weeks later and leave you out of pocket with no car.

http://www.4x4web.co.uk/scamexamples.html

caevans

wow, lots of scammers out there. I have to say whenever I have sold anything online before I have always asked for paypal, so it just goes to show you have to be careful.
It was obvious to me that the text/emails were from scammers but maybe that is do with my suspicious and judgemental nature!! The emails were poorly worded, with poor grammar which is always a bit of a heads up that something isn't right. Am amazed that anyone would fall for it though, considering the individual doesn't even want to see the car (alarm bells going off!).....

Oh, and am I right in thinking the safest way of receiving payment is via CHAPS?
thanks

fivetide

www.paypalsucks.com for reference of how people lose money through it!

Safest by far cash in hand! Direct bank transfer can also be done at most branches. I know NatWest/RBS will let you use your switch card to make a transfer. with the card and pin etc you'd hope that was ok!

5t.

Strider590

caevans wrote: »

It was obvious to me that the text/emails were from scammers but maybe that is do with my suspicious and judgemental nature!! The emails were poorly worded, with poor grammar which is always a bit of a heads up that something isn't right

Yeah, it's not a golden rule, but generally the scammers will be foreigners or immigrants. I won't hazard a guess as to why, but your right to be suspicious of poor grammar, spelling, etc.

caevans

Five tide, can I please check how that works? Would I have to go into bank with buyer? Sorry, really clueless about this kind of thing! Thanks

forgotmyname

Bank transfer or do the cash hand over in the bank so you can deposit it and wont end up with a load of dodgy notes.

Anyone who offers any other payment is risky. If its not selling either your advert is rubbish or you have not advertised it in the right place or its too expensive.

Loads of scams with cars, Cheques that bounce months down the line. Stolen cards or accounts.

Always ask for insurance when you let them test drive it also, If they dont have any you may lose your car.

DUTR

caevans wrote: »

Hi everyone
We are trying to sell our car at the moment, with sadly little interest so far. However we have had 2 x texts asking us to email more details/photos to an email address. We have emailed them (though something about their texts screamed scam!). Both individuals then asked us for our paypal account as they wanted to buy the car (without seeing it!). Obviously this is some sort of scam and I don't want to get into a dialogue with them, but am curious as to what the scam is? Why are they asking for paypal details? thinking maybe stolen credit card or something?
Just want to satisfy my curiosity!
Thanks :-)

Stop the contat now, and do not entertain any of those type correspondance, you would be surprised how many vultures are out there to take advantage of the private car seller.
If someone is really interested in the vehicle at the price, they will arrange an inspection.
Anyways the scam works like usually you will get a sob story like "it's for my son in law , and offering you more than the asking price"
Often you may get a cheque , you hand over the car plus paperwork, only to find the cheque bounces.

caevans

[QUOTE=forgotmyname;

Anyone who offers any other payment is risky. If its not selling either your advert is rubbish or you have not advertised it in the right place or its too expensive.[/QUOTE]

you may well be right! I think our ad is fine, but probably overpriced a little though have out ONO to encourage offers at least. Think the problem is that it's a big cr-v and the cost of petrol these days probably puts people off buying? Certainly the reason why we need to get rid....