How does PayPal work outside of eBay?

edgedemon · 2 May 2020 at 09:02

I have only ever used PayPal to buy things on ebay.
Someone wants to buy some thing from me and I'm wary of giving out my account number and sort code.
What I'm concerned about is that they could send the money to my PayPal, I then send the goods and they then cancel the payment and I'm left out of pocket?
Is this possible?

Begbie · 2 May 2020 at 09:07

You can send goods, which Paypal then protects but at a fee. The payment will clear to you before you ship it, surely?

Mujja · 2 May 2020 at 09:07

When using paypal all you need to share is your paypal ID (email). The buyer doesn't need your bank details etc as Paypal guarantees all transactions. Ask the buyer what they need your bank details for, the bank won't reverse any payments etc.

Maybe the buyer doesn't even want what you're selling, probably a scammer contacting sellers trying to get info like name, address and bank details.

edgedemon · 2 May 2020 at 09:44

Begbie said:
You can send goods, which Paypal then protects but at a fee. The payment will clear to you before you ship it, surely?

Never considered clearing in this instant transfer age. OK, it seems like this is the way to go then.

Thx for the advice

Surveyor · 2 May 2020 at 10:13

Perhaps you should provide some more details about the transaction before completing it. There are a lot of scammers about.

LeeUK · 2 May 2020 at 11:01

Bank transfer or cash on collection are the only safe bets. Never trust PayPal.

What can someone do with your bank account number and sort code exactly apart from pay you money.

COYS · 2 May 2020 at 11:02

Is this a gumtree or facebook marketplace transaction?

Mujja · 2 May 2020 at 11:18

LeeUK said:
Bank transfer or cash on collection are the only safe bets. Never trust PayPal.

What can someone do with your bank account number and sort code exactly apart from pay you money.

When setting up a direct debit all you need is an address, sort code and account number. Could easily be used to start a new phone contract. Some people, myself included, don't check statements regularly and it might be two to three months before I realise a new DD on my account. By then the phone would have already been sold on to someone so blocking it won't affect the scammer.

Rannoch · 2 May 2020 at 11:24

Is it Gumtree sales? Are they offering to pay extra for postage?

LeeUK · 2 May 2020 at 11:25

Mujja said:
When setting up a direct debit all you need is an address, sort code and account number. Could easily be used to start a new phone contract. Some people, myself included, don't check statements regularly and it might be two to three months before I realise a new DD on my account. By then the phone would have already been sold on to someone so blocking it won't affect the scammer.

I check my bank (Starling) every day, I have alerts set up with credit report services like ClearScore, Karma, etc, plus I check them every month. Also if any DD does appear and takes money I'll get it back under the DD Guarantee that everyone seems to forget about.

Quite frankly, if you can't be bothered to check your bank for months on end then you deserve it.

Rannoch · 2 May 2020 at 11:33

LeeUK said:
Bank transfer or cash on collection are the only safe bets. Never trust PayPal.

What can someone do with your bank account number and sort code exactly apart from pay you money.

I agree. Even PayPal friends and family can be reversed. PayPal is open to abuse. People who say it isn’t haven’t been scammed as yet.

Cob · 2 May 2020 at 13:16

LeeUK said:
Bank transfer or cash on collection are the only safe bets. Never trust PayPal.

What can someone do with your bank account number and sort code exactly apart from pay you money.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7174760.stm

Deleted member 77746 · 2 May 2020 at 13:22

To set up a direct debit you only need bank account details and sort code. There's no security over doing this. This is why you need to check your bank once a month but most new banks now alert you when DD's are set up.

LeeUK · 2 May 2020 at 13:31

Cob said:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7174760.stm

Like I say I check my bank every day. No way anyone to get a dodgy DD past me.

SexyGreyFox · 2 May 2020 at 14:45

I've seen something on Marketplace that I really want for £30, what is the most securest way to get what I paid for?

Deleted member 77746 · 2 May 2020 at 14:47

SexyGreyFox said:
I've seen something on Marketplace that I really want for £30, what is the most securest way to get what I paid for?

All payment methods have their problems. Either ask them for Paypal payment or bank transfer or cash on collection.

Surveyor · 2 May 2020 at 14:55

mrbell1984 said:
All payment methods have their problems. Either ask them for Paypal payment or bank transfer or cash on collection.

He's not selling. He's concerned about receiving the item.

EssexBoy · 2 May 2020 at 15:01

SexyGreyFox said:
I've seen something on Marketplace that I really want for £30, what is the most securest way to get what I paid for?

See how many items they have sold on marketplace and if they seem genuine then i doubt they going to scam you for £30. Paypal if they accept it but i have refused in the past and only asked for BT again it comes to trust.

Deleted member 77746 · 2 May 2020 at 15:09

Surveyor said:
He's not selling. He's concerned about receiving the item.

Doesn't matter selling or buying. Same places stand.

Surveyor · 2 May 2020 at 15:18

mrbell1984 said:
Doesn't matter selling or buying. Same places stand.

The only method which ensures he gets the item he paid for (which was his question) is cash on collection but unfortunately that's pretty much a no go currently.

A bank transfer won't ensure he receives the item and he won't get his money returned if he doesn't.

Neither will PayPal ensure he receives the item but it does have some payment protection if he doesn't.