Is bank transfer safe?

J86 · 6 Mar 2010 at 21:08

Ok, so i'm selling something for 700 squid on egay. Due to the size and weight of the item I have put I will only accept cash in hand upon collection.

A guy has messaged me with the following:

"Hi

I would like ask it is possible delivery by courier ?

please answer

regards"

I've told him I would be happy to use a courier if he sends me the money via bank transfer before I send the item.

His message reads like one of the typical scam types, however I was just wondering if once I saw the money in my account I would be safe to send the item?

Cheers

edit: he's in yorkshire not nigeria if that helps

weescott · 6 Mar 2010 at 21:23

Ace Modder · 6 Mar 2010 at 21:35

Once in your account it cannot be removed.

sid · 6 Mar 2010 at 21:39

Ace Modder said:
Once in your account it cannot be removed.

Well no but its from a stolen account then, the original person can report it to the police and then it may well be taken back from you?? Or does the bank cover it?

doggles · 6 Mar 2010 at 23:38

if you're worried I'd open a bank account just for this get the cas paid in, make sure it's cash as a chq can still bounce upto ten days after then close the account after there your bank details wouldn'tmatter as the account wouldn't exist

meghatronic · 6 Mar 2010 at 23:42

Fisha said:
edit: he's in yorkshire if that helps

Red Alert, shields up

_TubbZ_ · 7 Mar 2010 at 00:20

isn't this what PayPal is for? If you think he is trying to scam you then stick by your original statement as someone else will surely come along for it!

Tute · 7 Mar 2010 at 00:37

_TubbZ_ said:
isn't this what PayPal is for?

If you want to get scammed, yes.

There's no problem with BT - he can't touch the money once you have it.

Berserker · 7 Mar 2010 at 00:45

I suspect the money could be taken back if the Police suspected theft or money laundering, but so long as you keep records the chances of that are slim. It's undoubtedly much safer than PayPal.

Souljacker · 7 Mar 2010 at 01:03

_TubbZ_ said:
isn't this what PayPal is for? If you think he is trying to scam you then stick by your original statement as someone else will surely come along for it!

Paypal fees for that kind of money are obscene.

apeZ · 7 Mar 2010 at 01:09

On the contrary, do sellers have to much protection if the buyer pays via BT? Other than goodwill, what is stopping them from just taking the money and not sending the item?*

*Not that I would do any of the above, as my trust feedback will attest!

PhoenixUK · 7 Mar 2010 at 01:42

Berserker said:
I suspect the money could be taken back if the Police suspected theft or money laundering, but so long as you keep records the chances of that are slim. It's undoubtedly much safer than PayPal.

They can ask him to give it back but he doesn't have to.
I remember reading once somewhere when they've done a mistake and sent some guy 8000 instead of his 800 salary, well, they never seen him or the money again.

trent · 7 Mar 2010 at 02:30

sid said:
Well no but its from a stolen account then, the original person can report it to the police and then it may well be taken back from you?? Or does the bank cover it?

n/m.

asim18 · 7 Mar 2010 at 02:40

meghatronic said:
Red Alert, shields up

The shields go up automatically with a Red Alert. No need to shout two commands.

Greebo · 7 Mar 2010 at 09:56

asim18 said:
The shields go up automatically with a Red Alert. No need to shout two commands.

Red Alert, arm photon torpedoes then?

Hairybudda · 7 Mar 2010 at 10:36

Customer could claim the money was fraudulently transferred, would need to complete an indemnity with their bank which would then start an investigation by their fraud team. If it was upheld the money would be taken from your account and a block placed until you could prove to your bank that there were no ill intents with receipt of the money.

Risky business, i certainly wouldn't do it over ebay.

J86 · 7 Mar 2010 at 11:19

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'll stick to my guns and only accept cash in hand.