Bank transfer query

sprucegs

I sold an item online and the buyer paid me through bank transfer (fpi). They paid prompt and when they said they would. I asked for an address to send item and they never gave it, I sent another message saying I'd received payment and got no reply. I did the same again. No reply.
To me this is a bit strange and now maybe rightly or wrongly worrying that this may be some kind of scam? I don't know how, but paying money into my account and then not replying with an address to send goods to seems a bit odd? Of course they may just be very busy, but would anyone think this is something potentially fishy?
Thanks in advance.

jonesMUFCforever

How much was it for?

You could be right in thinking it might be a scam - the 'sender' 's account could have been hacked or taken over by fraudsters. The scam being that they will contact you to say they have changed their mind about the item and could they please have their money back - they might even soften the blow by saying you can keep a % for your time.
You send the money back and then your bank gets in touch to say that the original funds paid into your account was fraudulently obtained and they debit your account again.

So now you are down the amount of the original credit - take care - treat any request for a refund by telling them to go via their bank - do not refund off your own bat.

Westie983

Good advice JonesMUFCforever, I was just going to post what exactly the same information.

OP I would keep the money sent seperate to your own money, you still have to goods but now have some funds, you need to think that the money could be fraudulent funds, so dont remove them from your account as it could be seen as you knew about it, but keep the balance separate from your own funds, just wait, and as said if a refund is asked for get them to go to their bank for a chargeback to cover yourself.

Westie983

Westie983

Chino

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

The scam being that they will contact you to say they have changed their mind about the item and could they please have their money back - they might even soften the blow by saying you can keep a % for your time.

This is all paranoid nonsense. A criminal wanting to launder funds by passing them through bank accounts would direct the funds through accounts for which he or she could exert firm control over the account holder(s), not by relying on the good nature of an unknown mark who is just as likely to respond saying "tough, you bought the goods".

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

treat any request for a refund by telling them to go via their bank - do not refund off your own bat.

A bank would never get involved in providing a refund.

Westie983 wrote: »

if a refund is asked for get them to go to their bank for a chargeback to cover yourself.

What relevance is a chargeback? The buyer didn't pay using a card.

maninthestreet

Chino wrote: »

This is all paranoid nonsense. A criminal wanting to launder funds by passing them through bank accounts would direct the funds through accounts for which he or she could exert firm control over the account holder(s), not by relying on the good nature of an unknown mark who is just as likely to respond saying "tough, you bought the goods".

No it isn't - this is a well-known MO for fraudsters

jonesMUFCforever

Chino wrote: »

This is all paranoid nonsense. A criminal wanting to launder funds by passing them through bank accounts would direct the funds through accounts for which he or she could exert firm control over the account holder(s), not by relying on the good nature of an unknown mark who is just as likely to respond saying "tough, you bought the goods".


A bank would never get involved in providing a refund.


What relevance is a chargeback? The buyer didn't pay using a card.

Sorry Chino but you are wrong on all counts.

JuicyJesus

Chino wrote: »

This is all paranoid nonsense. A criminal wanting to launder funds by passing them through bank accounts would direct the funds through accounts for which he or she could exert firm control over the account holder(s), not by relying on the good nature of an unknown mark who is just as likely to respond saying "tough, you bought the goods".

And to be the third person saying it, this is nonsense.

18cc

Yes there is definitely a scam where fraudsters send money and then ask for it to be returned but the money is fraudulent and you end up paying twice

not saying this isthe case in this situation but just be aware

PRAISETHESUN

I'd suggest erring on the side of caution here. I've sold enough stuff on eBay to know some of the tricks people use so be careful. Make up a receipt/invoice to provide to the buyer if there isn't already one, so that you have evidence that the money is legitimate in case the bank decides to get involved. I would keep the money in your account, but earmark it so you don't spend it. If you do eventually send the item, make sure there is evidence of postage/delivery/etc so you can dispute it with the bank if the buyer tries to cancel the original payment as being "fraudulent". I'm not sure on the time frame you can reverse bank payments (if you can even at all), but I wouldn't assume that just because its been, say, 3 months or something that it could still not be disputed.

I'd also be wary about sending the money to a third party, in the case that they ask for a refund to be sent to an account that was different to the one that originally sent you the money - perhaps contact your bank to reverse the transaction themselves rather than you refunding them yourself if this happens.

18cc

Here is a report of a similar scam someone sending money to a third person's account not quite the same but definitely the same M. O.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/beatthescammers/article-6084197/How-Toby-nearly-lost-3-000-fraudsters-sent-money-florist.html

jonnygee2

You send the money back and then your bank gets in touch to say that the original funds paid into your account was fraudulently obtained and they debit your account again

No sorry, this is poppycock.

In this instance the bank will only ringfence the money. They cannot send it back to the receiver until a) they have investigated the potential financial crime and reported it to the NCA, and b) gotten the go ahead from the NCA to return the funds - a process that takes several weeks.

They will not debit your account, they will block your entire account and then ring you up about 'random verification checks' or some such information. If you provided evidence that the transaction was not fraudulent, they would unblock your account.

the 'sender' 's account could have been hacked or taken over by fraudsters

Generally, when someone manages to hack an account, they send the money to an account they have control over. This is not a recognised pattern of fraud and a fraudster would have nothing to gain from this course of action.

and as said if a refund is asked for get them to go to their bank for a chargeback to cover yourself

You can't chargeback a bank transfer! Utter nonsense.


@ OP - just send the money back to the sender, then message them saying as no response, money is returned. And, just in case, keep hold of the evidence for where it came from and why it was sent back, although I don't see any reason to worry.