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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think DH was scammed

226 replies

Cath2907 · 21/05/2018 09:44

We were selling our old car yesterday through autotrader. I took out kid and dog to reduce distractions. DH was dealing. He rang to tell me car was sold for £450 less than advertised but to some lovely people.

I got home later to find they'd had trouble transferring money to our account. He'd seen them set up the transfer on their side but that the payment was delayed until today. Basically he let them drive away without paying.

No money has arrived today. Have emailed them to express concern there's been a mix up and ask them to confirm the details of the transferred money and no answer.

DH said he saw their drivers license, checked it had the same address they'd asked the car to be registered to and overall they seemed a lovely couple. He is sure the money will show up and this is all a mix up. I think they have scammed him and am quite upset and frustrated that he let someone drive away with a few grands worth of our car without actually handing over a penny.

Please tell me I am a suspicious whatsit and this is bound to be a mix up?

OP posts:
BlessedBeTheFruitCake · 21/05/2018 11:16

Doesn't look good op. Sorry.

Westiegirl3 · 21/05/2018 11:18

What an absolute fool for letting the car go without the funds clearing. Even if the money does clear and I certainly hope it does, I'd be raging for being so stupid.

pigmcpigface · 21/05/2018 11:22

Oh gosh, I hope this is just a mixup at the bank, and that the money appears soon. Sad

Original poster
Cath2907 · 21/05/2018 11:23

I think "stabby" accurately covers how I feel. I have rung my bank and they say they can't see things coming on only things in the ether waiting to go out but they did confirm that it can take until the end of the next working day for the money to come in (so I suppose there is a teeny glimmer of hope). We have not sent off paperwork to confirm sale and I have the people's address, email address and phone number. Have emailed and left a voicemail and text message but no answer. Hubby has finally twigged and is in the other room angrily cleaning to vent his frustration.

He is a nice guy and they seemed really genuine. They talked about their kids, brought their dog, asked about our daughter, went off to think it over for 2 hours and to walk dog etc.. He is also an idiot and I can say hand on heart no-one would have left in my car without paying!

I guess he has learned the hard way and will now beat himself up for months far more effectively that I would do (even with my stabby vibes).

Sod that was an expensive weekend Sad

OP posts:
FuckPants · 21/05/2018 11:25

If the bank has confirmed that it can take a while I wouldn't panic just yet.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 21/05/2018 11:26

What was he thinking? What an idiot! Did he at least take a note of their address?

Not an idiot - an innocent. He's too trusting - that will be because he would never in a million years pull a trick like this himself, and can't imagine that someone else would do such a nasty thing.

Obviously - usual still, police, etc but sadly I doubt your insurance company won't entertain a claim because of his naivety.

Keeping my fingers crossed that it turns out to be a genuine mistake though. He won't have transferred ownership via the DVLA yet, so watch out that they don't do something illegal or mount up a load of speeding/parking tickets in his name.

So sorry this has happened. If it's any consolation (and I know it isn't), this is the sort of thing my idiot husband would do too. He is just too trusting and takes everyone at face value.

If he wasn't married to a cynical cow like me he would probably be the proud owner of the millennium dome, or the eiffel tower of something . . .

SchadenfreudePersonified · 21/05/2018 11:27

in the other room angrily cleaning

Hint of a silver lining, I suppose.

pigmcpigface · 21/05/2018 11:28

Wait until the end of the day. If no money appears, I would contact these people and tell them that you are calling the police.

You need to get this straight and on record asap, as I am not sure who is responsible if speeding tickets etc. are incurred while you are still the legal owner according to the paperwork?

Deandre · 21/05/2018 11:28

That is true, he is not a idiot but an innocent.

Still abit silly though.

SoFake · 21/05/2018 11:30

Oh dear! Fingers crossed that it’s just a delayed payment but it’s not looking good.

I’m nervous to ask but was is thousands......?

JustbackfromBangkok · 21/05/2018 11:31

Yes this is the problem.
My DH is very honest and trusting. It just doesn't occur to him that people can be duplicitous.
He thinks I am very cynical, I think I am just realistic.

It is sad that we have to be suspicious of everyone.

SoFake · 21/05/2018 11:31

Have you or any of your neighbours CCTV?

SoFake · 21/05/2018 11:32

Might insurance cover this? I highly doubt it but they have stolen the car so is there a teeny chance?

LagunaBubbles · 21/05/2018 11:33

It is an idiotic thing to do letting someone drive off on a car without paying for it.

JustbackfromBangkok · 21/05/2018 11:35

It can't be considered theft if the car was given to them to drive away.

This same thing happened to a friend of a friend some years ago and the police wouldn't follow it up because the vehicle was handed over with the keys by the seller.

Undies1990 · 21/05/2018 11:35

You MUST contact the police - now! What are you waiting for?? Don't delay any longer.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 21/05/2018 11:35

To be fair it's Monday morning so this is the first chance to process the payment. He's been naive but, let's hope, not scammed.

Heismyopendoor · 21/05/2018 11:36

Oh no, hope things work out OP and the money comes through today at some point.

PattiStanger · 21/05/2018 11:39

Regardless of whether the money eventually turns up he is an idiot of the highest order.

I assume you've been round to the address to speak to the buyers

Lordamighty · 21/05/2018 11:41

You need to go to their address & take the car back until you have the money. Who is insured to drive the car, I thought you could only insure a car that you were the rightful owner of. What if the car is involved in an accident before you get the money? Your DH has really done a stupid thing but I wouldn’t let them use the car until the payment is safely in your account.

Rednailsandnaeknickers · 21/05/2018 11:51

I suspect if they go round to the "address" it either won't exist or will not be a house with them in it!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 21/05/2018 11:52

So - if the money doesn't come through, can you involve the Police, since they've effectively stolen your car?

bobstersmum · 21/05/2018 11:53

I'm struggling to see how even though you've not been paid and can't contact the people you didn't immediately call the police?

saiya06 · 21/05/2018 11:55

drive to their house RIGHT NOW. if the car is there, then drive home and wait. if the address is fake, call the police.

PlumsGalore · 21/05/2018 11:55

How did they sort the insurance? when we bought DDs car we arranged temporary insurance whilst DH was there, and did the online taxing and then paid 2.6k in cash. It was a morning's job, but the seller was happy, we were happy and everything was legal.