Gum Tree scam?

Soph_elizabeth

Hi, I am selling a fridge on Gumtree. Its the first time I have ever used it.
I received a txt this morning from "GUMP" where the person asked me to email them.
I assumed the txt was from a Gumtree automated service so emailed the person. 
As they cant collect they have asked me if they can pay by paypal and they will arrange a courier to collect.
I asked they send the money via friends and family and if they could let me know which courier was coming so that I could make sure I got a collection receipt in case anything went wrong.
The person replied to the above email but didn't answer my questions. 
There are no traces of their initial message in my gumtree messages.
Does this sound dodgy and should I call off the sale or am I being cynical?

Thank you

soolin

Yes it’s dodgier than a dodgy thing and a very common, if very old scam. Just google ‘gumtree PayPal and courier Scam’.

You’ve frightened them off by asking for f and f , they might still come back and either ‘accidentally ‘ pay for goods and services, or else they will suggest they pay extra for your fees and pay for goods. 

Soph_elizabeth

Thank you for getting back to me, I googled it before asking on here and couldn't find anything which is a concern.
I'm clued up now, thanks again. 
I've had another email just after I posted this, stating that the courier needs £300 before they will collect so they have transferred me and extra £300 for me to bank transfer to the courier, so if I was in any doubt I'm 1000% sure its a scam now. 
I would like to think i'm quite switched on, but up until the £300 request i was in two minds, goes to show how easily scams can happen. 

soolin

Soph_elizabeth said:

Thank you for getting back to me, I googled it before asking on here and couldn't find anything which is a concern.
I'm clued up now, thanks again. 
I've had another email just after I posted this, stating that the courier needs £300 before they will collect so they have transferred me and extra £300 for me to bank transfer to the courier, so if I was in any doubt I'm 1000% sure its a scam now. 
I would like to think i'm quite switched on, but up until the £300 request i was in two minds, goes to show how easily scams can happen. 

This is one of th ebette rknown scams, turns up everywhere
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/gumtree-paypal-scam-warning-belfast-17046432

https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/Payments/Is-this-a-Paypal-Scam-on-Gumtree/td-p/976894

forgotmyname

Once they figure out they can reclaim the friends and family payment as fraud they will soon come back and pay.

The issue for you with F&F is that you have not sold anything so have no defence for the money sent to you.

If you use paypal you invoice them and they pay properly. Both sides have some protection then, although

thats open to abuse also.