Please help - is it safe to give bank transfer details?

Debtfreedolly

Hi all, I hope you can help...
I have been selling some bits and bobs online to try and clear my debts. Now these things are going to strangers, generally members of FB groups. So far everything has been paid for by cash or PayPal. One lady wants to buy some pieces and she *seems* genuine but who knows??? She doesn't have PayPal and has asked for bank transfer details - if she is not legit is there anything that can be done with those details or am I safe in giving them out???
Thanks in advance!

GTR_King

My advice is to tell her to pay in cash or set up paypal.. Bank Transfer is not safe and if anything goes wrong. You won't get your money back.

glentoran99

GTR_King wrote: »

My advice is to tell her to pay in cash or set up paypal.. Bank Transfer is not safe and if anything goes wrong. You won't get your money back.

the OP is selling not buying so is at no risk of losing money

sourcrates

I would have to agree, she may be genuine, but whose to know.

Bank details alone can be used, by fake companies, to clear out your current account by setting up a fraudulent direct debt.


I would never give out personal details like that, to people you do not know or trust.

glentoran99

Debtfreedolly wrote: »

Hi all, I hope you can help...
I have been selling some bits and bobs online to try and clear my debts. Now these things are going to strangers, generally members of FB groups. So far everything has been paid for by cash or PayPal. One lady wants to buy some pieces and she *seems* genuine but who knows??? She doesn't have PayPal and has asked for bank transfer details - if she is not legit is there anything that can be done with those details or am I safe in giving them out???
Thanks in advance!

You give them out on every cheque you write, nothing can be done with the details other than pay money in, Bank transfer is just about the safest method of receiving money as it cannot be taken from your account without permission

glentoran99

sourcrates wrote: »

I would have to agree, she may be genuine, but whose to know.

Bank details alone can be used, by fake companies, to clear out your current account by setting up a fraudulent direct debt.


I would never give out personal details like that, to people you do not know or trust.

I think that's scaremongering TBH, the direct debt guarantee ensures that if something like that did happen (extremely unlikely) you wouldn't lose out.


Why aren't direct debits set up by these "fake" companies to clear out the electric companies for example, you have account and sort code


You cant do anything other than pay in with just the bank account number and sort code

glentoran99

Account number 58761217
Sort Code
5 5 - 5 0 - 1 5


do your worst

[Deleted User]

I recall that talentless wonder Jeremy Clarkson doing that, thinking nothing would happen, only to find someone had set up a direct debit to the tune of $500 out of his account.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7174760.stm

Debtfreedolly

Thank you everyone for your opinions
I called Halif@x in the end and they told me it was safe to do it...

glentoran99

Deleted User wrote: »

I recall that talentless wonder Jeremy Clarkson doing that, thinking nothing would happen, only to find someone had set up a direct debit to the tune of $500 out of his account.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7174760.stm

Which he would have got back immediately had he wanted

andyfromotley

I asked first direct the same question when i sold my camper van. Perfectly safe i was advised.