Scammer or just a timewaster?

robgod50

Hi all

I'm always afraid I'm going to get scammed because there's always tricks that the scammers get you oni

Yesterday I advertised my car on autotrader and immediately got loads of calls - but due to work, I couldn't take them. 
Later in the day , I called one back and seemed like a really nice guy. Sold me a heartbreak story and we negotiated a deal. He offered me a deposit but I said no need as he was coming round last night to collect. But after some excuses , he couldn't make it so asked again if he could pay a deposit to hold the car. 
So I gave him my bank details..... The deposit didn't arrive. No more contact. 
But now he has my address and my bank account. 

I can't think of how that could be used against me but I just don't understand what he's up to. Any suggestions on what might be going on here? Maybe he's just changed his mind and just a timewaster but i am suspicious. 

Thanks

Rob

lordmountararat

I wouldn't worry too much. Presumably the bank details you gave him were no more than appears on a cheque. Cheques used to be very common and lots of people and companies you issued cheques to would have the details this guy has. Probably just a time waster, one reason why I would never sell a vehicle privately these days.

facade

Keep an eye on the post for any credit applications and be really really careful about any calls from "your bank"

There is a scam where they access your online banking and get you to help them change the password by spoofing your bank's number to call you (they even talk about security and explain they will never ask for a pin or anything) then they apply to change your online password, or put a transaction through, and get you to read them the 2FA text code that the actual bank sends- by claiming that they are sending a code to check your identity.

They can't get money out of you account just by knowing the numbers, except they can set up a standing order to a charity for you (Ask Clarkson about it )

Hopefully he is just a timewaster, or he has simply changed his mind.

born_again

facade said:

They can't get money out of you account just by knowing the numbers, except they can set up a standing order to a charity for you (Ask Clarkson about it )

They can't set up a standing order. As that is set up by the account holder.
What you mean is a Direct Debit which is set up by the company taking the payment.

facade

Yes, I'm not overly familiar with the names, but you are right, a standing order wouldn't be much good to a scammer, but direct debit to a dummy company would.

I'm sure the banks have lots of security in place to prevent this happening

macman

No more info was given away than doing what we all used to do for years with cheques: write our address on the back of it.

EdGasketTheSecond

Bit late but the moral is don't give out bank details to a stranger. Sell to the first buyer who actually turns up and will pay for the car, not someone who says they will come later.

AdrianC

macman said:

No more info was given away than doing what we all used to do for years with cheques: write our address on the back of it.

And, of course, all those businesses who put their account details on their invoices and even websites, so that you can maliciously pay your bills easily.

sweetsand

One of the very reasons we stopped selling our cars to induviduals - now we just sell to those we buy your car people or px - for sure we could get a bit more for our cars but not worth the risk.  Las two we sold were to family and we sold them for what we buy your car offer as our family knew the cars were like new FSH etc