Defrauded on Gumtree so I requested a chargeback.

BronteWill29

Hello, a few days ago I went onto gumtree to purchase an item, however as soon as I purchased the item I has a gut feeling that I have just been defrauded. Turns out that my gut feeling was right as the seller has no intentions of posting the product that I thought I was purchasing. I have explained to my bank (Santander) what has happened and I requested a chargeback. Santander has told me that they have immediately raised this issue with the merchants bank. Does anyone know how long this process normally takes? 

BronteWill29

To say Santander has already contacted the Merchants bank....

soolin

What sort of card did you use to pay? 

BronteWill29

It was my debit card (current account) visa 

[Deleted User]

In fairness gumtree is designed for in person collection and payment. 

BronteWill29

MarkN88 said:

In fairness gumtree is designed for in person collection and payment. 

Right, but my question was about the chargeback process... I was just wondering what the process is and how long does it roughly take as I have never done a chargeback process before. Santander has not asked for any evidence such as conversation screenshots between the seller and I. They have said that they have already been in contact with the Merchants seller. So, my question is how long does the process usually take. 

elsien

There isn't a specific time scale but this talks about allowing 8 weeks for the bank to investigate before taking things any further. 
Debit & credit card chargeback: protection on faulty goods (moneysavingexpert.com)
Given that it's only been a few days since you placed your order I wouldn't expect anything to happen particularly quickly. Your item may still arrive. 
You're aware that a chargeback can be reversed in some circumstances? 

GabbaGabbaHey

Presumably Santander will require more information (including a Crime Reference Number) before they will consider the chargeback. My understanding is that, in the first instance, all they will do is contact the recipient's bank and ask whether the recipient will allow it to be refunded (which could happen, for example, if there was an accidental payment into an account). If they say "no", then both Santander and the recipient's bank will need to do some investigation to try to determine who is in the right, as it becomes "he said, she said".

Otherwise there would be nothing to stop any Buyer paying for something, waiting for it to be dispatched, and then fraudulently raising a chargeback.

BronteWill29

GabbaGabbaHey said:

Presumably Santander will require more information (including a Crime Reference Number) before they will consider the chargeback. My understanding is that, in the first instance, all they will do is contact the recipient's bank and ask whether the recipient will allow it to be refunded (which could happen, for example, if there was an accidental payment into an account). If they say "no", then both Santander and the recipient's bank will need to do some investigation to try to determine who is in the right, as it becomes "he said, she said".

Otherwise there would be nothing to stop any Buyer paying for something, waiting for it to be dispatched, and then fraudulently raising a chargeback.

Oh yes I know there are a lot of dodgy buyers out there, but I have evidence that the seller has defrauded me as they quickly deactivated their account and are refusing to communicate with me in regards to the product that I thought I was purchasing. 

theonlywayisup

BronteWill29 said:

MarkN88 said:

In fairness gumtree is designed for in person collection and payment. 

Right, but my question was about the chargeback process... I was just wondering what the process is and how long does it roughly take as I have never done a chargeback process before. Santander has not asked for any evidence such as conversation screenshots between the seller and I. They have said that they have already been in contact with the Merchants seller. So, my question is how long does the process usually take. 

As has been said, no specific time.  Santander actually say "some disputes can take time to resolve"

https://www.santander.co.uk/assets/s3fs-public/documents/chargebacks-and-disputed-transactions.pdf