To think someone is trying to scam me.. photo attached

[Aaahhhelp]

Hi everyone,

I put my wedding dress that I no longer want on gumtree yesterday. Last night I had someone asking do I still have the wedding dress. I replied yes and would they like to come and see it and got this reply this morning... as it said I would have the funds before sending I did think it was genuine, however a part of me thinks it sounds like a scam!

What do you think? And should I reply?

Yes.. there's something about the wording that raises suspicion. Can't put my finger on it.

Scam!

Well known attempt at a paypal scam. Do not let the dress go to this seller.

It's a scam.

Yes, it's a scam.

I would give her PayPal details and a rough location where you are you. If you receive the money you can give her your address for the courier but not until its received and cleared

Sounds a bit of but as long as you actually have the money in your account before you let the dress go it’s probably ok. But I would be wary of there being a last minute excuse delaying the money - don’t be pressured to give up the dress until you can actually see the money in your account.

You only think someone is trying to scam you...

Yes definite scam, it couldn't be any more scammy if it tried

yeah - its a known scam, ive had it before too.

Paypal tend to favour the buyer in disputes, not the seller. You wouldn't have any proof that you had sent the item.

Ask for a bank transfer only, or just avoid the hassle and don't reply at all. You don't have to, you know.

If your spidey senses are tingling, trust them.

What makes it seem like a scam?

I’d be really suspicious as there’s so much unnecessary pull-at-heart-string details. You could counter with them getting the courier to bring the cash?

Absolute, total definite scam.

Never use PayPal for collection items.

Ha, hell no, do not agree to this!!! They'll pay by paypal, send a courier then claim they never received it and do a paypal charge back, thus getting their money back AND the item.

Cash on collection only.

I get this scam nearly everytime I use gumtree. Next message is you paying a lump sum to be returned to you after usually

The "courier" will collect the dress and then next thing - a chargeback because the paypal account was hacked or some other reason.

Well known scam. These scammers target any add with this wording. I mean come on, who buys a wedding dress as a surprise for their cousin?!

Can i earn your trust....lol
Scam

@thenightsky Thats what I was thinking too. It just doesnt quite flow properly. Id be hesitant in going ahead

Sorry, my point was, in the highly unlikely event of the money turning up in your paypal, they can raise a dispute with PP immediately and say you didn't send it, and get a refund.

Ooh! It could be genuine from someone whose first language is no English.

But that "can I earn your trust" line is really awful, let alone the emotional blackmail of the medical conditions and 'surprise' element!

Ot s a scam. They will get your PayPal details and your address all in one go! Justhow they will abuse that is anyone's gues, but they will!

So ignore - or do as I DSis does, send them made up details and when they ask play extremely dumb... she is a teacher, the sheer stupidity of it relieves her stress

Total scam. ignore.

Scam! Don't engage any further with them.

They'll reverse the payment. It's exactly the scam gumtree warns you about.

If the buyer pays by PP, then collects in person, there is no proof of delivery. The buyer can then claim that the paid but did not get the item. PayPal almost always find in favour of the buyer.

Or they'll ask you to Western Union them £500 and they'll pay you £700 back right away via Paypal etc. etc.

It might well be genuine. Not everyone is a scamming scheming twit. However that's not a chance I'd want to take so I'd err on the side of caution.