To think there must hope. Lost £5,000 ebay scam

[drnoitall]

Ddh bought something on ebay.
Paid bank transfer as alot of money (£5,000)
He received an email from ebay saying account he purchased from had been hacked and listing removed.
Looks increasingly like a scam.
Contacted police fraud department (don't know actual name of it) his bank and recipient bank.
Seller says delivery has been arranged for tomorrow at 9am.
Nothing can be done yet as it could turn up.
But, this is the bad but that has us feeling so miserable and annoyed.
When we put the contact phone number the seller gave into google it was the exact phone number listed on a page for an overseas "adult" service.
I want to cry, I hate seeing my dh so miserable.
Can anyone help with advice, are there some protective rights that we need to know?
This is a very upsetting and a lot of money to us , can our bank demand the money back from the sellers bank? Can ebay do anything?
Thank you in advance, fingers crossed someone can help.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

Bank transfer is the equivalent of cash - instant payment- whereas Paypal or a credit card would have included some protection. If it doesn't arrive he should still lodge a complaint with E-Bay but I think they'll tell him that they caution against paying cash in advance for this reason

[Middleagedmotheroftwo]

5000 paid in advance for something you haven't seen, from someone you don't know? You must be mad. (Which doesn't help I know.).

I would still contact the police, and Ebay, if it doesn't turn up. But would be resigned to learning a very expensive lesson.

[sebsmummy1]

I think if you have chosen not to use Paypal (the account has to be verified) and just paid out of your bank account straight into another account then nothing can be done.

I assume you didn't somehow pay using a credit card?

[MissingTheMountain]

When did DH pay the money?

There is a very limited window where the cash may not have reached the account yet, but this very small. The longest one I can think of is 2 hours. You'd need to go to the bank, explain everything and ask them to freeze the payment, and they may not agree.

If the payment has already gone through, there isn't a lot that can be done until the item doesn't show up. At that point, you could involve the police, and try speaking to the bank again. Bank transfer is like giving the seller cash before they bring the item, so the bank probably won't be very useful, but you might be able to talk them into freezing the account or something with help from the Police.

What did you buy? Is it a high-risk item?

[MariaTheNun]

Were they runing a business? If so, you could try Trading Standards.

[LittleMissGreen]

I don't think you are very covered having paid cash.

However, I once bought an item on ebay and before it arrived the person 'lost' their ebay account for fraud. The item however did turn up, so there is a little hope.

[lynniep]

Sorry to hear you are so worried OP. I hope the item does arrive. It was a spectacularly naive thing to do to pay by bank transfer, but I think you must realise that now. I can't imagine why anyone would do that without checking first if they were protected. Which you aren't.

Ebay can only suggest two routes:
Report the matter to the Police as Fraud by obtaining money by deception (which you have done)
Take the seller to the Small Claims Court (will cost you ~£30 to start proceedings)
but there will be no guarantee of getting the item or a refund.

[Mopswerver]

Oh, sending sympathy and best wishes.

Why did the seller insist on a bank transfer?

I know an elderly couple who were recently scammed for £80K and because they had been bank customers for a long time, the bank covered the loss (Lloyds). Worth checking whether your bank could cover at least part of your loss.

I think the worst thing about these sorts of scams is how they make you feel stupid. You are NOT stupid. These scammers (if indeed that is what it is) can be professional organised gangs and the scams are increasingly sophisticated.

Best of luck with it all. I hope your fears are unfounded.

[sanityawol]

Was it a car at a too good to be true price by any chance? Was the owner supposedly working away on an oil rig / military base?

As he paid by bank transfer you won't have the 'protection' offered by PayPal. I think that probably all you can do is report to police and bank as theft /fraud. I'm not too sure what chances of recovering money are, but I wouldn't expect it to happen quickly.

Ebay will hopefully be able to provide evidence that it was a scam to support your case.

Really sorry OP.

[anothermrssmith]

Report to police and eBay but it looks like you may have lost a lot of money I'm afraid.

One other thing though but as payment was froma bank transfer isn't is possible whoever has our money can see your account details? I would check that out with your bank and if so would get a new account number pronto.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

It is perfectly OK to give out your account details to anybody!

However, do get police/bank involved as unlike PayPal your money has gone to someone's bank account and that someone should be traceable.

[LongPieceofString]

Oh you poor things. I hope it can be sorted. I really do feel for you.

[Megrim]

Sorry to hear your DH has been scammed.

You could asking for advice on the eBay discussion boards, but I suspect it will be the same as above, and as you have already contacted your bank and the police you have probably done all you can. The money has probably already been transferred from the recipient bank, these scammers are experienced and organized.

[Floggingmolly]

Was there an actual reason why you didn't use Paypal??

[Megrim]

Just to add, anyone can see your account details printed on a cheque or debit card, they can't do anything with them.

[maras2]

I'm so sorry that you've been scammed . I've never bought anything from ebay that cost more than £20 , and then have used PayPal . What on earth made you < DP > shell out so much money , with no protection ? Not helpful I know but even my very elderly MIL would be more cautious .

[mrscumberbatch]

Ask your bank to claw it back. They might be able to do it if its within the 3-5 working days bacs timeframe

[drnoitall]

Thanks for replies. Most people anyway. Jesus, have some of you never made a mistake?
It is very embarrassing to admit to be too trusting at times.

Anyway, police are not interested.
The banks are trying to stop the payment. Will not say if the money has been withdrawn yet.

[Rooners]

Contact your bank - but you already have. What did they tell you?

I was able to claim back around £75 when I paid for something using my debit card.

I don't know how it works regarding BACS. But if you can get a crime number from the police, you will stand a better chance I think.

Good luck.

[jugofwildflowers]

Ebay wants to promote a safe buying experience, their reputation depends on it. Do not get fobbed off. Go through every channel you have to, trading standards, your bank, ebay.

Was it no returns? Ebay has guidelines they abide by so if they gave fraudulent contact info you need to contact their office in Ireland 0800 358 6551 and tell them what you have told us here.

Good luck

[drnoitall]

Thanks mrs cumber. That's what we are hoping for.

[Rooners]

I hope that your bank can stop the payment. They sound more helpful than mine were.

Sorry some people have been so tactless.

[wheretoyougonow]

Please contact Trading Standards. They will be able to advice you and help.

[Viviennemary]

You shouldn't have paid by bankers draft but you know that now. There must be some trace of the person if it has been paid into a specific account. I think reporting it to police and trading standards. Is this user still an ebay trader?

[maras2]

Sweetheart a mistake is putting the wrong date on a cheque . However signing away £5,000 is ......... ? I truly am sorry that you got scammed .