Scamming company took our money and didn't send goods

Karenjeffers

Hi Im new on the forum (so apologies if Im on the wrong bit), I ordered 50 bespoke cardboard boxes from cardboardboxes.co.uk and paid via faster payment on 12th Nov 2025. Since then, not only have they not sent any goods, but despite emailing them they avoid sending a tracking number and are refusing to refund. Today I contacted lloyds bank who say they cant do anything as its a trading standards problem and "you need to read the reviews online about these scammers in future". 
Not only can we ill afford to lose £348, but after reading Martins article on chargebacks I really thought we were covered - it seems not because we paid via faster payment (the company sent an invoice with their bank details) Please can anyone advise and help? 

user1977

Karenjeffers said:

despite emailing them they avoid sending a tracking number and are refusing to refund.

What if anything are they actually saying then?

Unfortunately a bank transfer doesn't give you any more rights than handing over a wad of cash, so if the goods aren't forthcoming then you need to do a letter before action and then small claim.

I see one of their companies went into liquidation in October (https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11362692) and the one claimed on the website to be the trading company was last reported as being dormant on Companies House (https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10842651).

(also, is this a purchase by a business rather than a consumer? If so then no consumer rights apply, though they might not make much difference here anyway)

pramsay13

Is this a business transaction?
If so you don't have the usual consumer protections so you probably are in the wrong section. 
I think if I was spending £348 with a new company I would check the reviews which is probably the point your bank is trying to make. 
Why should they pay for your lack of research?
Anyway your bank should still refund so keep at them or raise a complaint. 

Karenjeffers

Hi if you mean the bank, they are saying this is a trading standards case. This is a purchase for a new business but the goods were bought by our personal bank account.

born_again

Karenjeffers said:

Hi Im new on the forum (so apologies if Im on the wrong bit), I ordered 50 bespoke cardboard boxes from cardboardboxes.co.uk and paid via faster payment on 12th Nov 2025. Since then, not only have they not sent any goods, but despite emailing them they avoid sending a tracking number and are refusing to refund. Today I contacted lloyds bank who say they cant do anything as its a trading standards problem and "you need to read the reviews online about these scammers in future". 
Not only can we ill afford to lose £348, but after reading Martins article on chargebacks I really thought we were covered - it seems not because we paid via faster payment (the company sent an invoice with their bank details) Please can anyone advise and help? 

There is no chargeback on faster payments.
This would not fall under APP scam either.

Your only option is letter before action & take it via the courts process.

lincroft1710

Karenjeffers said:

Hi if you mean the bank, they are saying this is a trading standards case. This is a purchase for a new business but the goods were bought by our personal bank account.

Bought for business use then it is a business to business transaction and Consumer Rights do not apply. Also be aware that some banks do not like personal accounts being used for business purposes

user1977

pramsay13 said:

Anyway your bank should still refund 

Why do you say that? It was a Faster Payment instructed by their customer, there's no chargeback or other remedy via the bank if you have a dispute with the recipient.

soolin

pramsay13 said:

Is this a business transaction?
If so you don't have the usual consumer protections so you probably are in the wrong section. 
I think if I was spending £348 with a new company I would check the reviews which is probably the point your bank is trying to make. 
Why should they pay for your lack of research?
Anyway your bank should still refund so keep at them or raise a complaint. 

I'm not sure why a bank would still refund on a business transaction made by faster payments - regardless of the fact that it was made from a private account.

OP, unfortunately it really looks like you've lost your money here , going forward, stay with this forum there is a small business section here:

Small biz MoneySaving — MoneySavingExpert Forum

It might pay to do some research on that board, ask some questions to ensure that all future payments are made via safer payment method, so you stand a chance of getting your money back if you ever come across a scummy company in the future. 

pramsay13

If you are scammed into sending money by faster payment there are rules in place since October 2024 and the bank should refund the payment.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2024/10/bank-transfer-scam-refund-rules/

user1977

pramsay13 said:

If you are scammed into sending money by faster payment there are rules in place since October 2024 and the bank should refund the payment.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2024/10/bank-transfer-scam-refund-rules/

The OP's case isn't a relevant type of "scam" though (and possibly isn't a scam at all despite the subject line) - they've voluntarily sent money to a supplier who hasn't (yet) come up with the goods.

sheramber

pramsay13 said:

If you are scammed into sending money by faster payment there are rules in place since October 2024 and the bank should refund the payment.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2024/10/bank-transfer-scam-refund-rules/

From your link

. But you still need to be cautious when making payments, as you may have up to £100 deducted from your refund – and banks will be able to reject claims entirely if they find you were really careless.