Preloved, not heard from seller

wealdroam

Articulate25 wrote: »

btw


Just saw this about Action Fraud



Fiasco as £2m fraud hotline loses 2,500 cases in just eight months... and blames error on computer fault


The computer problems will also heighten concerns that statistics showing a fall in crime do not fully take into account soaring levels of online scams, most of which are never reported, investigated or solved.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2371791/Action-Fraud-hotline-loses-2-500-cases-just-months.html#ixzz3R9oSGiFN

Did you notice that article is eighteen months old?

Some things may have changed since then.

Articulate25

Well, I put my report into Action Fraud, just got a reply, in what is suspiciously like a template, basically nothing is going to happen: they will collate my information and see if there are links to other similar frauds, they will probably contact his bank and close down his account, and that's it. No wonder the fraudsters do this low level fraud, it seems risk free.

Enfieldian

As long as people are gullible and foolish enough to send their money to a complete stranger with no protection then yes, no wonder.

Articulate25

Er, some people may have learning difficulties or other neurological issues.

soolin

Articulate25 wrote: »

Er, some people may have learning difficulties or other neurological issues.

Then perhaps their relatives should be taking care to ensure that their actions regarding money is monitored.

You did not however make it clear that you had either of these issues in your opening post, perhaps if you had mentioned you had an issue with such things people might have phrased their responses a little better. However on balance I think the advice given has been excellent.

As a general rule though a little bit of paranoia does not come amiss. Asking yourself a basic question 'if this is a scammer how do I get my money back' is a good place to start. Bank transfers are the scammers friend, I don't think many fall for it anymore, but it is always worth keep having threads running to remind people just how unsafe it is to send money via an unsafe method to a complete stranger.

I'm sorry that you have lost money, it is not a nice feeling at all, but I think that honestly you are unlikely to see any of it back at all.

soolin

Exile_geordie wrote: »

Id contact them right away. did you read their info on buying on the site? May be helpful in the future


http://www.preloved.co.uk/safesecondhand

That warning page is actually well written , concise and understandable. I think a few other sites could well use something as good as that instead of assuming Al buyers know what they are doing.

It does even mention bank transfers

If you make a payment to someone by crediting their bank account via Internet banking or BACS, that payment cannot later be reversed.

Articulate25

A fair enough reply, I have some cognitive and other issues: my main concern now is that these people don't get away with it, another person on Preloved was defrauded by 2500 pounds for a camera. There are many reasons why people are taken in and yes one is greed, if a bargain seems too good to be true, then it likely is, however, that does not mean the perpetrator should get way with it, this is happening more and more and Action Frud is imo just a buck passing exercise in terms of outcomes for the victim.

soolin

Articulate25 wrote: »

A fair enough reply, I have some cognitive and other issues: my main concern now is that these people don't get away with it, another person on Preloved was defrauded by 2500 pounds for a camera. There are many reasons why people are taken in and yes one is greed, if a bargain seems too good to be true, then it likely is, however, that does not mean the perpetrator should get way with it, this is happening more and more and Action Frud is imo just a buck passing exercise in terms of outcomes for the victim.

These online selling sites though cannot act as a third party financial host without all sorts of hoops and hurdles to go through. They are merely a host site- and that's why they need such a strong warning to people especially those who are perhaps new to selling or buying online. I do accept that it is impossible sometimes to always think logically and imagine the worse- but perhaps getting into the habit if you are unsure- of reading the FAQs first.

It isn't just Preloved, Gumtree is a real problem- i could log in now (and yes I do use ti) and find you half a dozen scammers within an hour of looking, likewise on my facebook selling groups. Always- always before you part with money ask yourself how you intend to get it back if it goes wrong.

These scumbags are (insert word here that gets through MSE filters) the lowest of the low - they know that virtually no one wil fall for thes eobvious scams anymore- but they also know that there is just enough people who will- and that is what keeps them going. So protect yourself, warn others and always ask yourself to think through the scenario, and read the FAQ. If we can stop people falling for these scams then these filthy scammers will have to get a real job.

Incidentally I sell a lot on facebook and have seen more than one scam in progress and have tried to warn the admin and users. The last one- which I considered a very obvious scam for Michael Kors handbags- actually got me banned from the web site as the admin said I was too paranoid and not every seller wanting a bank transfer as a deposit on a flash handbag was a scammer. They considered it perfectly acceptable for a new user to offer legit handbags at a fraction of the price- but ask people to send a £30 deposit via bank transfer pending delivery of the handbag stock.