Buyer requesting Bank Details to make Payment?

silvasava

Hi All

I've listed some items for DH on a website (not Fleabay) & have been contacted by a potential buyer who doesn't want to use Paypal - I suggested a Postal Order but apparently that's too much hassle (!!) although I appreciate there is a charge. They've asked to make a bank transfer which I could do but I'm extremely wary of giving someone I do not know my sort code & account number. The total amount is under £30.00 I've had a search through the posts but can't find anything relevant - basically I need to know if this would be OK or a :eek::eek::eek:

Thank you

newbie1980

i would say this is better than paypal as they wont be able to make any claims
i give my details out all the time to customers as without more personal details theres not alot they could do with these details

YorkshireBoy

Would you be happy to buy something from this person and pay by cheque?

silvasava

Yorkshireboy - I'm selling not buying. - & the person didn't want to pay by cheque as I wouldn't despatch until the cheque had cleared.
I just want to find out if it is safe to give someone I don't know my account name and number and sort code

Dobbibill

Are you not set up for PAYM (pay a contact) if you are just give them your mobile number and they can pay that way. It will still go into your bank but you are not giving away any bank details to a stranger.

Other than that, give them a savings account number, that way if they try to do something with the information you've given them, like set up a DD it's not possible.

It's your call, you are the seller, don't do anything you don't feel comfortable doing, another buyer will come along who will happily pay for the goods the way you request them.

boliston

Bank account number and sort code can only be used to pay money INTO an account - there is no way they could draw money out using these details.
Most traders like plumbers etc now print their bank details on each invoice they issue - this would not happen if there was any risk.

YorkshireBoy

silvasava wrote: »

Yorkshireboy - I'm selling not buying. - & the person didn't want to pay by cheque as I wouldn't despatch until the cheque had cleared.
I just want to find out if it is safe to give someone I don't know my account name and number and sort code

You've missed my point!

If you answer the question yes, then give them your bank details. If you answer no then don't.

Clue: The cheque will include more details than your account number and sort code...your name for example.

zagfles

silvasava wrote: »

Yorkshireboy - I'm selling not buying. - & the person didn't want to pay by cheque as I wouldn't despatch until the cheque had cleared.
I just want to find out if it is safe to give someone I don't know my account name and number and sort code

The point was that you give your sort code and account number every time you write a cheque. So would you only give a cheque to someone you trust?

What it is you're worried about? Someone else having your account number & sort code won't give them access to your bank account, otherwise cheques would be unsafe. Utility companies, credit card companies etc publish their account details in public on their websites so people can pay them.

The main issue is if they pay your from a phished account, this is unlikely with a small amount, if they pay the correct amount. If they "accidently" pay you much more than the price, eg £3000 instead of £30, and then contact you asking you to return the extra via some method like Western Union, it's definitely a scam, do not do it. Report it to your bank and ask them to reverse it.

silvasava

Thank you for all the replies - as Zagfies says this information is on cheques that I would give to someone I don't know. I,ll go ahead with the sale:)

henm2

Zagfles is correct. Also when you send a cheque to someone in addition to your account details on it also has your signature on it.

Giving your account details to someone so that they can pay you directly by electronic means is no real risk. If someone does pay you by cheque there is risk due to bounced cheques and fraud. See this guideline for cheque clearance http://www.chequeandcredit.co.uk/resources/faqs/2-4-6_cheque_clearing_timescales/

agrinnall

silvasava wrote: »

Thank you for all the replies - as Zagfies says this information is on cheques that I would give to someone I don't know. I,ll go ahead with the sale:)

Why not credit YorkshireBoy, who was the first to bring it up, even if it did go completely over your head until it was explained to you?