Gumtree scam ? paying directly in bank a/c?

doubleps

Hi peeps

After some advice please .
I got a call regarding an item i'm selling on gumtree ,
who lives 11 hours away (i'm in the north of scotland) asking could they transfer money to my bank ac and then would I post it .

Initally i found this to be suspicous but the person said really wanted .
The item it's £250 .

If the person makes a bank transfer to my acccount and I post 3 days later to them , is there any way they can get the money back from my bank acccount?.

or is this a total scam ? I think its very trusting perhaps too trusting on there part !



Thank You !

Inigo_Montoya

bank transfers are completely safe as long as the person paying you really owns the account they are using to pay you

If you want to be ultra cautious ask them to go to the nearest branch of your bank and deposit cash over the counter - absolutely no way the money can be taken off you then

ilovelacoste

doubleps wrote: »

Hi peeps

After some advice please .
I got a call regarding an item i'm selling on gumtree ,
who lives 11 hours away (i'm in the north of scotland) asking could they transfer money to my bank ac and then would I post it .

Initally i found this to be suspicous but the person said really wanted .
The item it's £250 .

If the person makes a bank transfer to my acccount and I post 3 days later to them , is there any way they can get the money back from my bank acccount?.

or is this a total scam ? I think its very trusting perhaps too trusting on there part !



Thank You !

I would ask for a cheque to be sent to yourself and then once cleared post the item. I wouldnt ask for a bank transer as you would have to give them your account details.
play it safe dont go ahead with the sale if you are not happy:)

Inigo_Montoya

Giving out just a sort code & account number is pretty safe - just dont give out any other details like name & address as well - dont forget when people used to use cheques a lot more those details were on every cheque

Its giving out your credit card number that is dangerous not your bank account number

rick@findthatfuchsia

ilovelacoste wrote: »

I would ask for a cheque to be sent to yourself and then once cleared post the item. I wouldnt ask for a bank transer as you would have to give them your account details.
play it safe dont go ahead with the sale if you are not happy:)

Pays cheque in, posts item, cheque bounces! Not a safe way at all. Accept the bank transfer

Inigo_Montoya

agree with last comment - I have had a cheque bounce after it showed as cleared

watsit1601

Hey I have payed via online banking for a phone advertised on Gumtree, the payment has cleared and the woman states in her emails that she has sent the phone recorded delivery. Its almost 2weeks later, still no phone and after countless emails I have had no response from seller.

I contacted my bank about getting my money back and they have stated that they cant help anything as it was done with on line banking not a credit card so a dispute cant be opened through the bank.

I am now thinking along the lines of small claims court but REALLY dont want to go down that avenue as I have never dealt with the courts before and dont know how much it will cost me etc to organise with a solicitor.

Has anyone else had this problem and any guidance/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Lisa

brettcta

watsit1601 wrote: »

Hey I have payed via online banking for a phone advertised on Gumtree, the payment has cleared and the woman states in her emails that she has sent the phone recorded delivery. Its almost 2weeks later, still no phone and after countless emails I have had no response from seller.

I contacted my bank about getting my money back and they have stated that they cant help anything as it was done with on line banking not a credit card so a dispute cant be opened through the bank.

I am now thinking along the lines of small claims court but REALLY dont want to go down that avenue as I have never dealt with the courts before and dont know how much it will cost me etc to organise with a solicitor.

Has anyone else had this problem and any guidance/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Lisa

you've been had i'm afraid.

done up like a kipper.

watsit1601

Do you think I would have any luck going through a small claims court?

:0(

brettcta

watsit1601 wrote: »

Do you think I would have any luck going through a small claims court?

:0(

i don't think so. people who perpetrate these types of scams are usually difficult to track down.

there may be better advice forthcoming though

watsit1601

I have reported this to the police fraud's team on - actionfraud.police.uk