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Been robbed by seller - feel like an idiot!

60 replies

SimplyRedHead · 18/01/2013 14:21

Hi all,

This is my first post.

I have been using eBay regularly for years and am probably a bit too comfortable with it which has caused me to let my guard down.

Basically, I made an offer on a pram which was accepted. The seller asked for quick payment because she was 'going on holiday'. I couldn't transfer money into my PayPal account because I have just moved and changed my name and my PayPal details don't match my bank details.

I sent an email explaining this and asking to transfer the money via bank transfer. She gave me her bank details and asked for my email and text number so she could contact me if needs be.

I didn't think anything of it and transferred the cash we she acknowledged. We then had regular email conversations about delivery.

The pram hasn't turned up, the item number is showing as 'invalid' on eBay, she's stopped responding to my emails and I've noticed all her feedback is very recent and all from her buying, not selling.

I feel sick that she has £670 of my money, my address, my email and my mobile number. I have contacted eBay and opened a case but because I didn't pay via PayPal I'm not covered. I have contacted my bank but there is nothing they can do. I plan to contact the police.

I am just about to go on maternity leave and that was all the money I has saved up so I can't afford another pram.

Can anyone offer any help or suggestions please?

(I know I was an idiot and should have used PayPal or a credit card)

Thanks,

SimplyRedHead

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BanghamTheDirtyScone · 18/01/2013 14:31

Have you spoken to the bank? They and the police may be able to do something as it's technically unauthorised - well, it's theft.

I really hope they can help you.
I'm not sure what else to suggest, very very bad luck Sad

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BanghamTheDirtyScone · 18/01/2013 14:34

Oh by the way - is it just possible she has sent it, and gone on holiday and that explains why she hasn't been in touch?

How long has it been?

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OldBeanbagz · 18/01/2013 14:35

I would speak to the bank you transfered the money to. Presumably you have the name of the bank and her name. If you type the sode code into Google you should be able to get the branch address too.

Speak to them direct and see if they are able to help. Maybe you can send a letter to them that they can forward to the her (make sure you send it Special or Recorded Delivery so you can have proof of delivery). Also the police will presumably be able find out her address from the details you have. I guess if they're not able to help you may be able to go through the small claims court.

How long is since you transfered the money? Maybe she is actually on holiday and hasn't realised the item hasn't been delivered?

The Ebay item will be invalid because she's removed it because she was completing the sale outside of Ebay. Not strictly legit but not uncommon either.

I did this recently with a high value item but made the bank transfer when it was actually delivered. In these days of internet banking, these things are generally are usually fairly instant.

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McBalls · 18/01/2013 14:36

Oh dear, poor you. I can imagine how sick I'd be feeling if I was tricked out of that amount of money.

Seems a ridiculous idea her part though, you have her bank details. Easily traceable. So unless its a very elaborate scam involving dummy bank account then perhaps there is a genuine reason for the hold up?

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BanghamTheDirtyScone · 18/01/2013 14:38

what is her feedback like - newish seller or established with a good rating?

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fergoose · 18/01/2013 14:53

bank, police then small claims court. Have you reported her to ebay?

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fergoose · 18/01/2013 14:56

if you have the seller's address you can file a small claims case - do you have their name and their area at least? Surely you can find with 192/electoral role, even Facebook or Twitter can be helpful. Also have you searched for their other items for their location?

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DoodlesNoodles · 18/01/2013 22:28

Ouch, that's gotta hurt.

I am sorry you have been defrauded. Unfortunately, there probably nothing that can be done Sad

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SimplyRedHead · 19/01/2013 11:12

Hi

I'm desperately hoping she is genuinely away but all my instincts tell me she's done one with my money.

I went to the bank and they said, because I willingly sent the cash there is nothing they can do.

Delivery was only due 5 days ago so it hasn't been ages but I just know something is dodgy.

I have 'raised a case' with eBay but because it wasn't a PayPal payment I'm not covered by buyer protection.

I plan to wait and see if she responds to the eBay case and if not, contact the police.

Good ideas about small claims court and finding out her local bank branch.

Thanks for all your help - I just feel sick to my stomach to think of all the pregnant overtime I did for that money.

Let's hope karma gets her!

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SimplyRedHead · 19/01/2013 11:15

I've got her name, her partner's name, bank details, a location (not address) from eBay and her email address and eBay user name (assuming these are all true!).

Her feedback is all positive but within the last few months and only for buying, not selling. She doesn't have anything else for sale.

I feel like such an idiot!

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SimplyRedHead · 19/01/2013 11:16

Good idea about Twitter / Facebook and using the electoral role to find her. I'll definitely give that a try!

She's in Somerset and I'm in London so it's a bit far to turn up on her doorstep but I'm happy to give details to the police/courts.

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LittleFrieda · 19/01/2013 11:18

Did you purchase the Item through eBay but send the funds via your bank?

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LittleFrieda · 19/01/2013 11:20

How was the pram going to be sent?

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kilmuir · 19/01/2013 11:26

She may be on holiday.
It was you that could not pay by Paypal, I would be more suspicious if she had declined a payment by Paypal

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ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 19/01/2013 11:30

Good luck getting it sorted out.

(That's an awful lot of money for a used pram isn't it?)

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fergoose · 19/01/2013 11:54

use Goofbid and see if she has sold anything else - if so that may give you more info as to where she is living

If I were you I would contact the police now - I am positive she has not gone on holiday and has no intention of sending the item. I can't see any advantage in waiting any further, especially in light of the amount she has stolen from you.

Have you got her phone number from ebay and tried phoning her?

www.ebay.co.uk/sch/ebayadvsearch?_sofindtype=9

Do you want to PM her user id/the item number - will gladly do some digging for you

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fergoose · 19/01/2013 11:56

oh and leave negative feedback now - with low stars. Just state you paid and didn't receive your item, and seller refuses to refund your £600. You must warn others incase she wants to try it with someone else.

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dotnet · 19/01/2013 12:06

As well as Facebook and Twitter you could try Friends Reunited to make contact with either her partner or her. Main libraries have collections of phone directories for the whole of the UK. Could be worthwhile trawling through Somerset phone directories. I've got a feeling this woman is going to get caught, and quite right too. Ask friends for other ideas on how to find her. Best wishes.

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RandallPinkFloyd · 19/01/2013 12:35

Why didn't you just change your PayPal details so they did match your bank account?

You don't need to put money into a PayPal account anyway, if there isn't enough in it then the amount is just taken from the nominated bank account. Well that's how I've always known PayPal to work anyway.

It's all a bit odd from both sides op. And I would second that it's an awful lot of money for a second hand pram.

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DoodlesNoodles · 19/01/2013 13:35

Good point by Kilmuir. Hmm

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DoodlesNoodles · 19/01/2013 13:36

Ohh sorry that Hmm looks like I was trying to be sarcastic ... I wasn't, I did think it was a good point. Smile

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SimplyRedHead · 19/01/2013 20:09

Thanks everyone.

I bought the item through eBay but paid via bank transfer because I disnt have enough money in my PayPal account. I didn't realise it would just take money from my bank account - now I'm evening stupid!

The pram is £1200 new and came with some extras making around £1500 worth of stuff so £670 (including courier) seemed a good price. Others I have been watching we're going for around £800-900.

I'm really hoping this is just me panicking and she is holiday and all will be fine!

When I checked with PayPal they said I had to post in evidence of my change of address and name which would have taken too long. I was a bit over-excited at winning the pram and didn't take the time to look at other PayPal options or to really think about what I was doing with such a huge amount of money.

The thing that is making me feel slightly better is that I suggest bank transfer and not her. I then feel worse again because the item number is now invalid.

Thanks for all your tips and I will pm you fergoose

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SimplyRedHead · 19/01/2013 20:10

Evening stupid ?!

Even more stupid!

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LittleFrieda · 19/01/2013 21:15

If you bought the item through ebay, how can the item now be invalid? I would open a dispute.

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breatheslowly · 19/01/2013 21:21

On the positive side, it was you who asked to do a bank transfer rather than paypal. If she had asked this then you would have no hope, but since it was you I think you have more of a chance of getting the pram.

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