scam?

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

The email content suggests the sender doesn't know who the recipient is or what the goods are. It's a generic catch-all text, probably from a piece of software – a bot – rather than a person.

Edited By Mick B1 on 01/10/2018 21:39:07

[colin calverParticipant @colincalver]

I have advertised some equipment on well known second hand site for a three figure sum. A respondent has replied that he wishes to purchase at the asking price, but cannot collect until next month. If I send my name and address he will send me a certified cashiers cheque immediately. Should I be wary?

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi Colin,

We often have customers who want to pay right away but not collect the item for a while, next time they are in UK etc,

We have a couple of customers who currently have over 20 items each awaiting their visit here in January.

Personally I do not see much wrong with sending name and address and having a cheque that will easily have time to clear before letting the goods go, especially as he is going to collect them in person.

Alternatively ask for cash on collection?

Regards, Martin

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by colin calver on 03/12/2018 09:17:51:

I have advertised some equipment on well known second hand site for a three figure sum. A respondent has replied that he wishes to purchase at the asking price, but cannot collect until next month. If I send my name and address he will send me a certified cashiers cheque immediately. Should I be wary?

What does the purchaser's profile look like? Domicile? Feedback?

If it looks iffy, you probably need to run as fast as you can!

Who in the UK uses the term 'certified cashiers cheque'? There's no such thing anyway, it is a certified cheque or a cashiers cheque, and those are overseas terms, normally the US.

Tell the purchaser to pay in full by PayPal, or bank transfer, and they can collect when they like. You will probably never hear from them again.

[Anonymous]

Posted by colin calver on 03/12/2018 09:17:51:

I have advertised some equipment on well known second hand site for a three figure sum. A respondent has replied that he wishes to purchase at the asking price, but cannot collect until next month. If I send my name and address he will send me a certified cashiers cheque immediately. Should I be wary?

I would be – in theory a certified check should be fine, but scammers are smart. Most people in the UK would just send a personal cheque. Can the purchaser provide a verifiable UK address?

Andrew

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

Last month I checked my online bank card statement and found an Aer Lingus transaction for £807.00 which was nothing to do with me. I phoned my bank and they put me straight through to their fraud department who immediately cancelled my card. Two days later I received a form which I had to complete, sign and send back and then after another three days I received a new card and my account was credited for the £807.

I dont know to this day how someone got my card details and the Aer Lingus amount was the only one, there has been nothing against my new card since. I do often wonder how safe using your card online is, well I,m assuming thats how they got it..? quite scary really.

Ron

p.s. Forgot to say the payment to Aer Lingus was made in a travel agents in Ireland..?

Edited By Ron Laden on 03/12/2018 10:59:56

[Adam StevensonParticipant @adamstevenson91624]

Handing your card over at aresturant can also lead to the person gaining your details. That is why I like the fact that my bank if I have not used the card at an online site asks me to enter a password that is not need in a store.

[Barnaby WildeParticipant @barnabywilde70941]

Posted by colin calver on 03/12/2018 09:17:51:

I have advertised some equipment on well known second hand site for a three figure sum. A respondent has replied that he wishes to purchase at the asking price, but cannot collect until next month. If I send my name and address he will send me a certified cashiers cheque immediately. Should I be wary?

In such circumstances, & if I were inclined to wait until they can collect, then I would ONLY accept a cheque as a holding deposit with the FULL amount to be paid by £cash on collection.

There are some very clever & very advanced cheque frauds that can catch out even the savvy.

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

As some may know my other hobby is woodworking and the name Nicole Curtis has appeared quite a few times certainly is a scam. Any respectable purchaser will put in any correspondence the item and other details of the goods being sold.

[Bill PhinnParticipant @billphinn90025]

Posted by David Standing 1 on 03/12/2018 09:40:11:

Tell the purchaser to pay in full by PayPal, or bank transfer, and they can collect when they like. You will probably never hear from them again.

Things may have changed since I last looked, but I believe accepting a Paypal payment and then allowing the buyer to collect can leave a seller in a situation where the buyer does collect and then files an "item not received" claim with Paypal. Paypal (in the absence of any proof that the item was handed over to the buyer) sides with the buyer and the seller loses both the item and his money.

Caveat vendor!

Edited By Bill Phinn on 03/12/2018 16:52:28

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by Bill Phinn on 03/12/2018 16:51:38:

Posted by David Standing 1 on 03/12/2018 09:40:11:

Tell the purchaser to pay in full by PayPal, or bank transfer, and they can collect when they like. You will probably never hear from them again.

Things may have changed since I last looked, but I believe accepting a Paypal payment and then allowing the buyer to collect can leave a seller in a situation where the buyer does collect and then files an "item not received" claim with Paypal. Paypal (in the absence of any proof that the item was handed over to the buyer) sides with the buyer and the seller loses both the item and his money.

Caveat vendor!

Edited By Bill Phinn on 03/12/2018 16:52:28

You are correct, and if you are suspicious, you ask them to sign a receipt for the goods, and take a picture of their number plate as they leave, as proof. That and you make sure collection details are in an eBay PM, eBay can see all messages.

Having been an eBay user for the last 18 years, and a financial forensic investigator in a previous life, they don't even get to win any of my items if I am suspicious about them. Not the first time I have cancelled someone's bid.

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

I received similar responses to Craig's List postings here in the US. It looks like the scam is used internationally.

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Sounds like the scam I had on gumtree, offering to buy in the same way.

They advised it’s very common and hard to stop, I guess any advert can attract them from looking at it.

Regards

Derek

[colin calverParticipant @colincalver]

Posted by colin calver on 03/12/2018 09:17:51:

I have advertised some equipment on well known second hand site for a three figure sum. A respondent has replied that he wishes to purchase at the asking price, but cannot collect until next month. If I send my name and address he will send me a certified cashiers cheque immediately. Should I be wary?

Following advice received here, I asked for a small holding deposit and cash on collection, also asked for his contact details. Have heard nothing since. I'm sure I've been saved from a scam. Thank you guys.

[Author]

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