Does CC cover if something I buy turns out to be stolen?

Hockeynut

We are currently navigating the minefield of buying a second hand caravan. But with all the scare stories about stolen caravans being all over the place, it has filled us with a bit of dread. After being advised that the CRIS register (for caravans) can be quite out of date. So much so that even if I do a check on it, it could still show up a few weeks later as stolen or similar, andI'd be out of pocket by Caravan and ££££.

So given that we are going to pay for it on CC, I wondered whether they usually cover such an issue? If it makes any difference, it's an M&S CC.

Thanks,
David

forgotmyname

The people that steal caravans to sell on generally wont accept credit cards.

Cash and vanish...

You do the checks before buying not after.

Is the caravan Cris registered? Have you contacted them directly and confirmed the details?

Fake Cris documents around so even though they have them and the numbers and address match still contact them directly.

Hockeynut

Thanks for your reply.

forgotmyname wrote: »

The people that steal caravans to sell on generally wont accept credit cards.

Cash and vanish...

You do the checks before buying not after.

Hi, yes I appreciate that the more checks I do do beforehand the better and we are doing what we can, including an independent damp check. Yes it is Cris registered, I've asked for him to send a copy of that to me. I intended to have the CRIS number/info checked. Is that normally done direct with them?

forgotmyname wrote: »

Is the caravan Cris registered? Have you contacted them directly and confirmed the details?

Fake Cris documents around so even though they have them and the numbers and address match still contact them directly.

Contacted who directly?

The question around whether the CC would provide any protection still stands?

YorkshireBoy

Assume you're buying from a caravan dealer?...a reputable one? If he's paid cash for the caravan, or taken it in part ex, I'm sure he's done his own due diligence with CRIS or whatever/whoever?

Under section 75 (which I'm guessing you're referring to?) whatever rights you have with the dealer you will also have with the card provider as they're jointly and severally liable, assuming you meet the criteria of course, ie not more than £30K and a pre-existing D-C-S relationship exists.

By the way, a couple of points:

1. It's not necessary to put the full transaction value on the credit card...merely a deposit will do (of any amount). Particularly useful, since...

2. The dealer will want to pass on his 2-3% merchant acquirer fee.


EDIT: There's also a chargeback code for "questionable merchant activity" (MasterCard reason code M49), so if the dealer is still trading the card provider may go this route instead if the caravan turns out to be stolen.

forgotmyname

Contact Cris directly to ensure the paperwork you have matches their records and not a fake one.