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Really unsure whether this is the right thread as I am new, apologies in advance!
I sold an item via Depop, got paid via bank transfer. The item in question was being sold on behalf of a friend, I accepted bank transfer payment and it then came to light that the item in question could not be sold. Due to lack of funds at that time I was unable to refund the buyer straight away, however despite contacting them agreeing a refund date they (rightly so) reported the issue to their bank, and Halifax have now suspended both my online banking and actual account. I have spoken to them about this over the phone, and they questioned me rather heavily about whether this was indeed, a scam. They told me if I come into a branch tomorrow and place the money into my account to be refunded to the buyer (£45) the matter will be resolved and no further action will be taken. Is this the case? Or do I need to be worried about being accused of scamming somebody online which isn’t the case and face possible further action?
TIA.
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Comments

  • eskbanker
    eskbanker Posts: 35,139 Forumite
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    If Halifax are assuring you that "the matter will be resolved and no further action will be taken", to the extent that they're happy to reinstate access to your account then yes, there shouldn't be any further repercussions as far as law enforcement, credit agencies, etc, are concerned, if that's what you're fearing. The buyer could stir things up a bit if they're minded to do so (e.g. with the selling platform) but if they're ultimately refunded then that should take care of that.

    However, this illustrates the risks of getting involved in something like this, so in future it would obviously be better if your friend sells any such items directly themselves, so they suffer any consequences if it goes pear-shaped for whatever reason....
  • kazwookie
    kazwookie Posts: 14,113 Forumite
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    Daft


    Why were you selling an item that could not be sold for a friend in the first place?


    Quickly find the money and get it sorted.
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  • Ben8282
    Ben8282 Posts: 4,821 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Newshound!
    Is your financial situation really such that you couldn't afford to immediately return the £45?
    What had you done with it? How come the item couldn't be sold?
  • polymaff
    polymaff Posts: 3,936 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    No-one here can give you a cast-iron answer.


    It is increasingly dangerous to do this sort of thing.


    But I guess that you've already drawn that conclusion.
  • Thrugelmir
    Thrugelmir Posts: 89,546 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    They told me if I come into a branch tomorrow and place the money into my account to be refunded to the buyer (£45) the matter will be resolved and no further action will be taken. Is this the case? Or do I need to be worried about being accused of scamming somebody online which isn’t the case and face possible further action?
    TIA.

    More likely you would face the prospect of your account being closed if there's further misconduct. Bank staff have better things to do with their valuable time.
  • Can we assume that the bank has refunded the buyer and the account is now overdrawn by £45?
    So by paying in that amount I would be suspicious of the bank suspending the account after you paid back the amount owed -- but I could be wrong.
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 35,036 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Do you not have the £45 on one side to give to your friend? Or have you given it to them already, in which case if they are any sort of friend they will get it straight back to you.

    I am intrigued though what you were selling and why the friend couldn't do it themselves.
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • Uxb1
    Uxb1 Posts: 732 Forumite
    500 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Ben8282 wrote: »
    How come the item couldn't be sold?

    Possibly
    a) it was discovered to have been stolen so belongs to the original owner or an insurance company
    b) it was something like Ivory now banned from being transacted
    c) was an ancient artifact from another country
    d) was discovered in a field so might be subject the UK laws on treasure trove (unlikely for just £45 I agree!)
  • sal_III
    sal_III Posts: 1,953 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts
    Uxb1 wrote: »
    Possibly
    a) it was discovered to have been stolen so belongs to the original owner or an insurance company
    b) it was something like Ivory now banned from being transacted
    c) was an ancient artifact from another country
    d) was discovered in a field so might be subject the UK laws on treasure trove (unlikely for just £45 I agree!)
    Rather than "regulatory", the reasons are more likely to be more trivial like:
    The item was already sold "offline" to someone else in the meantime and no longer available.
    Or the seller changed his mind about selling it.
    Or was damaged and no longer in the condition described.
    Or was stolen/lost from the seller and no longer available.

    It's really disturbing, reading posts where people get into trouble with their banks over not having £45 emergency funds or the ability to get them instantly from friends/family.
  • I have called them back today as due to being called into work I’ve been unable to get into a branch yet. I am going in tomorrow as they are open until 1pm. I am more concerned about the fact that the man on the phone seemed to be rather condescending and accused me of this being a scam! I understand there are procedures to follow but the questioning was rather heavy although he did say if I am to refund the money by putting it back into my account this “should” be sorted.
    Are they able to do anything else in regards to my account after assuring me that if a refund is sent things will be sorted?
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