Sphock Scam

soolin

7Mark7 wrote: »

Yes the seller gave me the address when I offered to collect the headphones.

I've used an online template and have emailed the LBA to the seller. I've have also started but not completed the small court claim.

I feel a little less agitated now that I am taking some action. Whether it amounts to anything remains to be seen. I am so annoyed with myself because this would never happen to me, I'm smarter than this or at least I thought so, but it just proves that even the smart ones are not beyond reach of the criminal fraternity.

Thank you for giving me guidance. I would not have considered these approaches. Incidentally, what does the small court claim do? Does it track the person, threaten legal action, then recover the money?

Thanks

I am not up to date with LBA's so check the requirements. You might also have to send a snail mail version - it used to be that it needed to go with proof of posting, NOT signed for, but worth asking those who are better informed than me.

If the LBA does nothing and you have to proceed with small claims then you will pay a fee. The case will be heard in the area where the other party lives, and if you win they may or may not still pay you. However, if they refuse to pay you can re apply to have the debt collected- again though you need to check the current position.

It is not uncommon though when receiving the LBA through the post to just pay up- no one wants the threat of legal action against them.

Well done though on starting the process, so many people are blistering angry at being scammed and yet seem unwilling to actually do anything about it, hopefully if you snail mail them the LBA they will see sense and re pay you without further effort on your part.

RFW

I think the most important thing here is to get your money back. The best way I can see is via credit card company. As it's over £100 you may qualify under section 75. That said you need to keep all the emails and screenshots of the seller page to make sure they know that that was what the transaction was for. As it stands you've just sent someone you know £160, so the credit card company might not be too forthcoming on refunding it.

I can't see the address being the real address of the person you have given money to. The email address is similarly not going to be used elsewhere.

Spoonie_Turtle

7Mark7 wrote: »

Hello Spoonie

What do you mean chargeback?

I paid through Paypal friends and family and the funding source was a credit card. I didn't know friends and family was a risk I just thought it was a paypal transaction when you don't have an ebay account.

As I said, I don't know how it works so you'd have to Google it probably.

I'm glad to see you've been able to take some action - like soolin says, not many people who've been scammed have any leads for finding the person responsible.

PayPal gives buyer and seller protection when paying for Goods & Services which anyone using it ought to know, because we ought to read the Terms and Conditions before using it! It's not reading those T&Cs that leaves so many people open to scams. They're also not a hugely complicated read - granted I don't think I've ever properly read some of the sections e.g. where they're defining words, and the fees section can be a bit overwhelming, but the sections about buyer protection and seller protection are quite straightforward.
soolin I've never had warnings when paying F&F though.

soolin

Sorry I can't copy and paste but when I go and send money I get a screen that shows 2 option:




Send with Buyer Protection
Buying something? You can get a full refund if an eligible item gets lost or damaged. Buyer Protection is free for you – the seller pays a fee.


Send to someone you trust

underneath those two options it says 'Learn more about PayPal Buyer Protection'

If I then click on 'send to someone I trust' it comes up with a box that says 'Send to someone you trust
If you're paying friends and family back, we'll send your money without Buyer Protection.'

(the colour is my highlight)and again asks me to check buyer protection.

Obviously my account has been marked as operated by someone gullible who they have to feel needs a warning every time

Spoonie_Turtle

Oh how interesting! Is yours a merchant account or personal?
My screen says this:

"Sending to a friend or to family
There are no fees when you send money to friends and family in GBP within the UK from your bank account or balance.


Paying for an item or service
The seller pays a fee, and purchases may be eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection."

(With 'buyer protection' as a clickable link)

7Mark7

Thanks all

When I offered to collect she gave me her address, could be false I guess. However as suggested by Soolin I have printed the snail mail that will go signed for on Monday now.

RFW - Barclaycard have said they will get back to me in 7-10 days and I may have to fill in a form?

I've also created an account on action fraud and given the police all of the detail as it may help them as well as me.

Feeling a little bit better but still mighty miffed that I let some lowlife get the better of me.

theonlywayisup

7Mark7 wrote: »

Thanks all

When I offered to collect she gave me her address, could be false I guess. However as suggested by Soolin I have printed the snail mail that will go signed for on Monday now.

RFW - Barclaycard have said they will get back to me in 7-10 days and I may have to fill in a form?

I've also created an account on action fraud and given the police all of the detail as it may help them as well as me.

Feeling a little bit better but still mighty miffed that I let some lowlife get the better of me.

Do NOT send it signed for. Normal post with your proof of posting is better. Signed For can be refused and therefore the LBA not served.

7Mark7

I hadn't thought of that! Thank you so much. POP it is.:T

James1968

Definitely a genuine address. Shows up as a flat when i did a search.

kimplus8

This is a bit worrying. Sorry u have been scammed. Hopefully you will be able to get your money back. Ive never bought from shpock and this has actually put me off doing so.