Fake Banking App Theft

grumpy_codger

The internet is full of spam from sellers of fake notes. Recently I took cash from an ATM with one card and deposited it to the same ATM with another card. About every eghth note was rejected.
I'm not saying that they were fake, - just that it's not easy for an ordinary person to identify fake notes.

Olinda99

If they reported it as fraud not only could the payment be recalled but your bank account could be frozen.

 So if nothing else never allow a stranger to deposit funds into your account - always have a separate 'burner' account for that with a different institution from your main bank

jimjames

Theleak250 said:

So they didn’t lose any money but just the items they were selling? I would insist on cash in such circumstances. 

I'd not want cash for that sort of purchase. Far more likely to be fake notes. Bank transfer is the safest option as long as you check the money is in your account

booneruk

grumpy_codger said:

Nasqueron said:

... a fake app to pretend payment is made and rely on you giving up waiting for the money to transfer. Faster payments are largely instant these days, no payment received = come back tomorrow please

................

While Mr Rudd was waiting for the money to appear in his bank account, he turned his back to pick up accessories to hand over as part of the sale.
The scammer used this opportunity to leave with all the tools...

If someone's determined to commit physical theft then what "apps" you trust or not isn't going to stop them

As mentioned, look in your own banking app, see the money there - transaction complete, thank you very much, otherwise - "come back later". If your items then get swiped it's off to the police

Theleak250

My mother often sells items in person and uses spock I believe it’s called. I think you are verified never had any issues. That may be a better option.

grumpy_codger

boingy said:

Theleak250 said:

Sorry I’m a bit confused here, the seller told the fake buyer their account details, I assume account number and sort code, the fake seller then typed this into a fake app and vast sums were withdrawn from the victims account?

...The app made it look like he had paid and the seller did not check his own account to see if the funds had arrived. 

...

The seller did check and reportedly "was waiting for the money to appear in his bank account"

Nasqueron

boingy said:

Theleak250 said:

Sorry I’m a bit confused here, the seller told the fake buyer their account details, I assume account number and sort code, the fake seller then typed this into a fake app and vast sums were withdrawn from the victims account?

No, nothing like that. He just didn't pay. The app made it look like he had paid and the seller did not check his own account to see if the funds had arrived. 

These days I really don't know how a private individual can safely take payment apart from cash, which is only really practical for smaller values. Even a legit transfer can be recalled if the buyer reports it as fraud.

I wonder if the best way is some form of receipt signed by them, matched to ID and photo the receipt with ID, send them a copy too. Few people would push back at a legitimate private sale for something expensive.

Obviously check for overpayment, then a request for refund which is another scam

Eyeful

Theleak250 said:

My mother often sells items in person and uses spock I believe it’s called. I think you are verified never had any issues. That may be a better option.

Spock had pointy ears.
I think you mean:        https://www.shpock.com/en-gb

UKX69

grumpy_codger said:

The internet is full of spam from sellers of fake notes. Recently I took cash from an ATM with one card and deposited it to the same ATM with another card. About every eghth note was rejected.
I'm not saying that they were fake, - just that it's not easy for an ordinary person to identify fake notes.

Not only ordinary persons. I had fake notes passed to me from my bank over the counter many years ago. It took a travel agent to spot them. Needless to say, the bank manager was red faced.😡

TheBanker

boingy said:

Theleak250 said:

Sorry I’m a bit confused here, the seller told the fake buyer their account details, I assume account number and sort code, the fake seller then typed this into a fake app and vast sums were withdrawn from the victims account?

No, nothing like that. He just didn't pay. The app made it look like he had paid and the seller did not check his own account to see if the funds had arrived. 

These days I really don't know how a private individual can safely take payment apart from cash, which is only really practical for smaller values. Even a legit transfer can be recalled if the buyer reports it as fraud.

It would be a pain in the whatsit, but if someone claims money sent to you was a scam your bank has to investigate before returning any money. I say a pain as your account may be frozen in the interim.

Provided you have documentation/evidence to support the transaction, you should be ok. Some people come unstuck because they communicate via messaging platforms where the so called buyer can then delete the messages, or the messages automatically delete after a few days.

Making sure you save all records of communications, saving a copy of the advert if there was one, keeping a photograph of the goods, obtaining a signed receipt and ideally a photograph of the buyer with the goods should be sufficient for a low value saie.

And if selling through a marketplace, use their built in payment system if they have one which means any problems are limited to your account with that platform. 

And generally avoid Facebook Marketplace as I am convinced over half the buyers and sellers are scammers! 

And don't get sucked in to sob stories! I tried to sell a small technology item on Facebook (value of about £15) and almost immediatly after posting it I was receiving messages from obvious scammers.