We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Gumtree scam very active this week!

soolin Posts: 73,903 Ambassador

29 January 2019 at 3:07PM in Ebay, auctions, car boot sales, post & parcels

My son is selling some furniture on Gumtree and called me as he thought it sounded scammy and wanted to double check before he started calling the 'buyer' a scammer.

It's the common scam , disabled buyer can't collect the item and van courier won't take anything other than cash so buyer will send a payment via paypal escrow , seller then takes £50 (or whatever) of that to pay courier, and keeps the rest. 'Courier' then turns up in a van, takes the £50 and the furniture and disappears.

Scam relies on seller believing the fake paypal payment email saying money will be held until courier collects .

So far in 2 days two different buyers with near identical stories have tried this on my son - so the scammers are obviously busy out there, so please watch out and warn any vulnerable friends or relatives you may have that you know use Gumtree to sell. It's probably not limited to Gumtree, but so far that is the only site that my son has had these scammers approach him through.

I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

This discussion has been closed.

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

MSE News

Forced onto a prepay energy meter? You may be due money back as 10,000s to be compensated
If you had an energy prepayment meter forcibly installed or your smart meter was remotely switched to prepay mode without your permission, you could be entitled to compensation of up to £1,000 and may even be eligible to have your energy debts written off.
Tesco shopper? It's your last chance to use £15 million worth of Clubcard vouchers – or extend them with our trick
If you've got a Tesco Clubcard, check if you have any vouchers close to expiring, as nearly £15 million-worth are due to run out on Saturday 31 May. Don't want to spend your vouchers yet? We've got a trick to extend their validity.
Nationwide Fairer Share: Free £100 bonus confirmed for 2025 – here's who will get it
If you bank with Nationwide, you could get a free £100 paid into your account next month as part of the building society's 'Fairer Share' scheme. The bonus will be paid to millions of its current account customers who also have savings or a mortgage with it.
Misleading Child Trust Fund claims ads BANNED after MSE complaint – here's how to trace yours for free
Misleading Child Trust Fund (CTF) adverts that targeted young people on social media have been banned following a complaint by MoneySavingExpert.com. The Turner Lewis Ltd ads claimed savers had "nothing to lose" despite the firm charging possibly £100s for its services.
Last chance: Aged 20 to 25? Trick to get a FREE four-year railcard worth £100 from Santander
If you're aged 20 to 25, there's a trick right now that can get you a free four-year railcard worth £100 via the bank Santander – but you'll need to be quick as the offer ends on Friday 30 May. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis takes you through it.
Tesco shopper? You've just DAYS left to use £15 million worth of Clubcard vouchers – or extend them with our trick
If you've got a Tesco Clubcard, check if you have any vouchers close to expiring, as nearly £15 million-worth are due to run out on Saturday 31 May. Don't want to spend your vouchers yet? We've got a trick to extend their validity.
Martin Lewis: Are you one of 800,000 parents missing out on up to £2,000 a year towards childcare costs?
If you pay for childcare, whether just for the summer or all year round, watch this urgent video briefing on the help that's available.
Martin Lewis: Energy Price Cap to fall 7% on 1 July (though it's still a Pants Cap). What it means for you and the new rates
The price most households pay for gas and electricity will fall by 7% on average from 1 July 2025 as energy regulator Ofgem has announced the latest Energy Price Cap rates. How much you'll pay under the new cap depends on how much energy you use and where you live.
Martin Lewis: The Price Cap to fall 7% on 1 July (though it's still a Pants Cap). What it means for you and the new rates...
The price most households pay for gas and electricity will fall by 7% on average from 1 July 2025 as energy regulator Ofgem has announced the latest Energy Price Cap rates. How much you'll pay under the new cap depends on how much energy you use and where you live.

View All

Gumtree scam very active this week!

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free