Advice after being scammed

Flobberchops

Has the OP created a second username? How confusing.

Addressing the first post, we are generously assuming here that the builder has been the victim of a hack. Being cynical for a minute (cynicism being my middle name, after all), what if it's an inside job at the builders, either with or without the knowledge of the owner? As it stands you're taking it on faith that the company has been left out of pocket, when in reality they may be hoping you'll pay the final instalment twice. A quick finger-in-the-air balance of probability: what would be easier to accomplish, a third party hacker just so happens to intercept your emails and requests payment while the company's back is turned; or, an insider at the company with access to the email system sends you an invoice to their personal account and then claims to have been hacked?

You've raised this with your bank, the receiving bank, and the police, I believe? If so sit tight and wait to hear from them. I wouldn't under any circumstances send any more money to the builder at this stage.

iamsobroke

Flobberchops wrote: »

Has the OP created a second username?

Yep! Iamsobroke is the new one I created at work yesterday when I couldn't remember the details for my old account, then I picked up the thread again at home where I failed to notice that I'd logged in with the details saved in my browser.

Flobberchops wrote: »

Addressing the first post, we are generously assuming here that the builder has been the victim of a hack. Being cynical for a minute (cynicism being my middle name, after all), what if it's an inside job at the builders, either with or without the knowledge of the owner? As it stands you're taking it on faith that the company has been left out of pocket, when in reality they may be hoping you'll pay the final instalment twice. A quick finger-in-the-air balance of probability: what would be easier to accomplish, a third party hacker just so happens to intercept your emails and requests payment while the company's back is turned; or, an insider at the company with access to the email system sends you an invoice to their personal account and then claims to have been hacked?

The thought has crossed my mind. It's a very small firm, though - owner plus a handful of labourers (the owner being a labourer as well) - and I'd lean towards a hack on the balance of probabilities. The builder has used the same email account for five years or more, so it's entirely plausible to me that they either haven't changed their passwords or have fallen victim to phishing scams on two separate occasions. There's also the possibility that the builder isn't on top of things when it comes to scanning for malware that can intercept emails, because whatever has happened has to be affecting their side of things rather than mine because my devices and router are all free of malware (or if they're not, it's malware that's not yet detectable).

If it's either the builder themselves or one of their staff then that adds the extra complexity of identity fraud into the mix, assuming they'd want it to be at least moderately difficult for the scam bank account being traced back to them...

Flobberchops wrote: »

You've raised this with your bank, the receiving bank, and the police, I believe? If so sit tight and wait to hear from them. I wouldn't under any circumstances send any more money to the builder at this stage.

That's my plan.

Curdy

Hi, sorry to hear of your issue. I have been dealing with the same problem, although in my case it is a car dealer who sold my car and transferred the money owed to me to a fraudster instead. I am now owed the money for my car amount to well over £14k.

The car dealer has said that he has transferred money to the fraudster owed to other customers as well in the same time frame. This in my mind makes it clear that the car dealers email account has been hacked and therefore he is at fault. I am taking him to court on this basis. If you or anyone else has experience of this and the likely outcome I would be very interested in hearing of it. I will keep you posted on the result.

Flobberchops

Curdy wrote: »

The car dealer has said that he has transferred money to the fraudster owed to other customers as well in the same time frame. This in my mind makes it clear that the car dealers email account has been hacked and therefore he is at fault. I am taking him to court on this basis.

Absolutely, you're owed your money, it's not your problem if the dealer has been scammed (or is claiming to be scammed). You've entered into a contract with him and it's not complete until you've received the money, it's not enough for him to simply have paid (somebody). Whether he has sent dozens of customers money to the wrong place or just yours is beside the point. Best of luck in court, should be fairly open-and-shut unless the dealer files for bankruptcy or some other slippery move.