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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Have I been scammed?!

295 replies

PlaneNoiz · 16/01/2025 18:26

Part of me thinks yes but part me of me thinks no because I’ve been to her house.

Sold a nice item via a neighbourhood selling group and as it was heavy and I had a car I offered to drop it to the ladies house. She was very lovely and the house was lovely! But when I asked for payment, she asked for my bank details. I’ve sent them through and she says she’ll transfer…but having looked online it seems this is a common scam?!

But worst case I’ve been to her house and know her address. Or are people genuine and will transfer?

OP posts:
NovemberMorn · 16/01/2025 18:43

I would leave it 24 hours...I doubt any bank/BS would take longer than that.
It would be embarrassing for you if you called her out, and it was a hold up out of her control.

PlaneNoiz · 16/01/2025 18:44

dementedpixie · 16/01/2025 18:41

How much was it for?
Can she send proof it has left her account?
Next time stay until the payment has been actioned or make it clear you accept cash only before parting with the item

It was for £70. That’s a good idea to ask for proof I’ll ask now! Or maybe she’s a mumsnetter and reading this thread haha

OP posts:
B2B25 · 16/01/2025 18:45

Whenever I send payment online I take a screenshot. I know some banks don't let you SS though but you can usually download some sort of receipt to show it's gone!

olympicsrock · 16/01/2025 18:46

Give it a chance to come though before jumping up and down

Snapandfart24 · 16/01/2025 18:48

I would wait the 24 hours or whatever is left of it and then go knock on her door. Don't jump the gun but don't leave it longer

RoastDinnerSmellsNice · 16/01/2025 18:49

Just call your bank OP, they should be tell you if there is a payment pendiing.

verycloakanddaggers · 16/01/2025 18:51

PlaneNoiz · 16/01/2025 18:40

Gosh I feel so silly for leaving without being paid!

Assume you're a trustworthy person, so you judged her by your good standards presumably.

Plus you were at her house, which makes not paying seem unlikely.

Don't feel silly, but just make this a learning experience (even if the payment does come through).

Cathmawr · 16/01/2025 18:53

A faster payment normally appears instantly but can take 2 hours to arrive (with any bank or building society). So don't panic x

BlondeMamaToBe · 16/01/2025 18:56

It would be silly to scam you when you know where she lives but people will scam anyone these days.

verycloakanddaggers · 16/01/2025 18:59

BlondeMamaToBe · 16/01/2025 18:56

It would be silly to scam you when you know where she lives but people will scam anyone these days.

I don't think scamming is a modern invention!

ShinyPebble32 · 16/01/2025 18:59

Sorry OP but why, why, why would you leave without receiving payment!! Even if she didn’t plan to scam you in the first place, many an opportunist would think why would I pay for it now.

PlaneNoiz · 16/01/2025 19:00

ShinyPebble32 · 16/01/2025 18:59

Sorry OP but why, why, why would you leave without receiving payment!! Even if she didn’t plan to scam you in the first place, many an opportunist would think why would I pay for it now.

I know I know. She said she’s transfer and I guess I got flustered and believed her. I find confrontation hard I know I made a mistake.

OP posts:
PlaneNoiz · 16/01/2025 19:00

verycloakanddaggers · 16/01/2025 18:51

Assume you're a trustworthy person, so you judged her by your good standards presumably.

Plus you were at her house, which makes not paying seem unlikely.

Don't feel silly, but just make this a learning experience (even if the payment does come through).

Thank you for this ❤️

OP posts:
Peanutssuck · 16/01/2025 19:02

Bank transfers are around 2 hours, if not immediate, but I've found that they can take a bit longer if it's a new payee

RaininSummer · 16/01/2025 19:05

She should be able to send you a screenshot showing payment made

Shadesofscarlett · 16/01/2025 19:05

she can send screenshot proving she has paid you

catin8oots · 16/01/2025 19:06

I'd go back round there and take the item back

weirdoboelady · 16/01/2025 19:07

Can I tell a related story? I don't suppose it helps (but do think you should be OK as you know her address).

I bought something on Ebay and asked if I could collect instead of paying postage. It was something quite expensive (4 firgures). The seller said that they would prefer not cash, and obviously I was reluctant to transfer money without the item. I can't remember why we didn't use PayPal but there must have been a reason!

Anyway, we came up with the following cunning plan. I would go to the house with my laptop and transfer the money in front of the seller. When it arrived in his account, I would leave the house with the item.

All sounds good, yeah? (Well, apart from the risk of going to a total stranger's house, of course, but that bit was fine). So here is what happened.

Money transferred, but did not arrive. I phoned my bank. Standard security checks. Yes, the money had definitely left my account, they said, but might take 2 hours to arrive. Cups of tea ensued.

2 hours later - yes, the money has DEFINITELY left your account but night take TWO DAYS to arrive. Which left us in a slight quandary. At the point the (totally lovely) seller suggested that I ask the bank (who were on speakerphone) whether the transaction could be reversed. They said it definitely could NOT, and the money would arrive in the seller's account. On this basis the seller allowed me to leave the house with the item.

Fast forward another 2-3 hours and I received a phone call from my bank, which went as follows:

Bank - have you been trying to transfer £xxxx from your account?
Me - yes, of course. I've been through security 3 times already. Does the seller have his money yet?
Bank - oh no, we haven't actually actioned this yet as we needed to speak to you first for security reasons.
Me - DESPITE the fact you told me that this transaction had already been made and could not be reversed?
Bank - oh no, it hasn't been.

Me - please action this bloody transfer immediately. I will be making a complaint.

TL:DR Banks are shit.

PlaneNoiz · 16/01/2025 19:07

Shadesofscarlett · 16/01/2025 19:05

she can send screenshot proving she has paid you

Have asked but no reply. Maybe she’s putting her DC to bed and will reply Later?

OP posts:
biscuitsandbooks · 16/01/2025 19:08

I doubt she's going to pay you.

devilspawn · 16/01/2025 19:08

PlaneNoiz · 16/01/2025 19:07

Have asked but no reply. Maybe she’s putting her DC to bed and will reply Later?

You surely can't be this naive.

Ohnobackagain · 16/01/2025 19:09

@PlaneNoiz get her to send a confirmation screenshot.

biscuitsandbooks · 16/01/2025 19:09

PlaneNoiz · 16/01/2025 19:07

Have asked but no reply. Maybe she’s putting her DC to bed and will reply Later?

Oh, come on!

NovemberMorn · 16/01/2025 19:11

If she doesn't pay, give it at least 24 hours, go to her house and demand the goods back.

Justgorgeous · 16/01/2025 19:11

Cash only for these transactions.