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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to suspect this guy is a scammer

42 replies

liamsdaddy · 12/04/2010 09:48

I've been struggling to sell my wifes old car recently (anyone want an nice little Auto Corsa?) since we decided we only needed one car (I now work within walking distance of my home).

So we stuck it on Exchange & Mart - only had one response so far, a person who said he would arrange collection. He wanted to pay us via PayPal, which is a service I trust about as much as the average politician.

I stated that if he wanted to use that method, he would have to wait for the funds to clear into our account before I would release the keys (I don't trust that he wouldn't send the money, I release the keys and then put a dispute in with PayPal to hold the money, potentially leading to us loosing both car and money).

So he has now replied that he would do a bank transfer if we give him our Bank Name, Account Number, Bank Code, Iban Number, etc.

AIBU to think that this is looking just a little bit dodgy?

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 12/04/2010 09:49

i don't think there is anything wrong with doing a bank transfer, all he would need though is your account number and sort code.
money will go straight into your account that way

Hassled · 12/04/2010 09:52

I don't know what an Iban number is, but the rest of the information is no more than you give someone when you write a cheque. It sounds reasonable to me - other than cash, how else could he pay you?

onadietcokebreak · 12/04/2010 09:53

How much are we talking about? Why can he just do Cash like most private sales.

A bit dodge considering he hasnt even viewed it!

uggmum · 12/04/2010 09:56

This is text book dodgy. There are far too many car scams, he will prob send more money and expect you to send back the difference, its a form of money laundering. never give out your banking details to someone you dont know. I work in a bank identifying scams so I have seen them all, one of the biggest frauds are car buying scams. only sell the car to someone who has been to see it in person and go to the bank together with cash and have it checked by the bank.
even Bankers drafts can be stolen or fake.

SuSylvester · 12/04/2010 09:57

which is a service I trust about as much as the average politician.

LOL

skihorse · 12/04/2010 10:01

BIC + IBAN + name is perfectly acceptable... account number, sortcode etc., etc., is a total overkill and I too suspect he's after something... particularly if you're in the UK - ime not too many brits have even heard of IBAN!

CheekyVimtoGal · 12/04/2010 10:04

Why cant he do cash on collection like most private car buyers do!

startagain · 12/04/2010 10:05

What would make it sound kosher to you.
He has offered 2 perfectly acceptable forms of transferring money
If he is asking for Iban number he is asking to transfer it via chaps(could be online banking), it is instant and he would have to pay for it. A regular bank transfer, he just needs your account number and sort code, but depending on what bank he is with, he might not be able to do this instantly. He could pay in cash to your account with your sortcode and acct number, but a lot of the time internet banking is much easier for people.

beanlet · 12/04/2010 10:07

IBAN is only needed for international transactions if he needs it, he's not in the UK. It's probably a scam to get your bank details. Call his bluff tell him he has to come and look at it and pay in cash.

Fliight · 12/04/2010 10:09

No, I think you should say he collects it and pays cash, or he can't have it.

I'd usually trust bank transfer tbh, as there's no way back from it. So confused about Uggmum's post.

But paypal doesn't rub even if you 'allow ti to clear' - makes no difference. They can do a chargeback up to a year later and get the money back via their CC company.

You'll be stuffed if they try that.

I'd probably insist on cash tbh.

MmeLindt · 12/04/2010 10:09

Perhaps he does not have a British account, that would be the only reason that he would need your IBAN. All he will need is your name, IBAN and BIC code for this.

I live abroad and opened a UK account specifically for this reason, to have a local account.

Just because he wants to transfer the money is not that unusual, if he is from Germany for instance it is very very common to do that there.

Once the cash is in your account, I don't see how he could get it back.

I had a guy recently try to pay for my bike with $ travellers cheques.

hippipotamiHasLost80lbs · 12/04/2010 10:11

Account number, sort code etc is the EXACT information you give someone when you write them a cheque. So why is it dogdy?

I suspect he just wants to pay you. And you won't let him. So he will walk away and buy a different car.

Most people (myself included) do not like to walk around with wadges of cash and I would never pay cash for a car. Anything could happen, I could lose it, be mugged etc. I would also be wary of receiving a large amount of cash - I would not be able to recognize a forged note if my life depended on it.

And unless he tells you he is going to pay more than the car is worth and ask you to send the difference back - where is the scam?
You get paid - via bank transfer, which is secure and you will have your money instantly and he gets the car.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 12/04/2010 10:12

People cannot access your bank account just because they have your sort code and account number! Every time you hand over a cheque you give out that information.

Bank transfer is pretty safe, and as far as I know, once it is in your account he would have a bugger of a time trying to recall it.

Fliight · 12/04/2010 10:14

It takes up to 5 days to show in your account though it will leave his straight away. Wait a few days before releasing the vehicle, if you do decide to accept it.

But Iban is international, isn't it? In which case I;d be a bit wary.

thrifty · 12/04/2010 10:16

a bank transfer is fine and much safer than cash. As long as he's not paying a cheque in, just wait until the funds have completely cleared before releasing the keys. Fwiw when i sold my car i drove the purchaser to the bank and made them pay the cash into my bank account (4k), so that i knew there wouldn't be any fake notes :-)

dawntigga · 12/04/2010 10:16

YANBU if he's UK based why would he need your IBAN? Transfers are ok - if he transfers too much money in tell your bank immediately as he may be attempting to money launder.

OtherThanThatCan'tSeeThere'sAnIssueTiggaxx

BarryKent · 12/04/2010 10:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

skihorse · 12/04/2010 10:17

There are scams out there which involve the IBAN number and the money is fraudulently deposited on the account of the innocent party - either I'm very suspicious or a few of you very naive.

Never mind the banking stuff - on what fucking planet do people buy a car sight unseen?

LaurieFairyCake · 12/04/2010 10:21

It can be reversed up to 3 weeks and if he is paying you with a fraudulent cheque you will lose the money.

It is most definitely a scam - particularly if he doesn't want to see the car.

I had someone offer this when i sold my car two years ago - he made up some story about a sick sister up North, he was going to fly into the country from Nigeria and then drive up to hers

Original poster

liamsdaddy · 12/04/2010 10:21

I'm not completely convinced the guy is in the UK to be honest. He doesn't seem to be intending to pick up the vehicle in person, and certainly hasn't seen the car yet.

His email is gmail.com, which could be anywhere is the world. The phone numbers he registered at E&M with where not valid for the UK (would be valid for US mobiles).

I did a google search of his email address, and that found one reference to him trying to buy a car in Spain at the start of April.

OP posts:

LadyBiscuit · 12/04/2010 10:23

I think there is something well dodgy about someone wanting to buy a car unseen. I'd tell him you have another buyer and put it on Gumtree. Have you stuck a sign in the back window with the price and contact details and driven it around a bit? That's how I sold my old car

LadyBiscuit · 12/04/2010 10:24

Just seen your last post. This is not a little bit dodgy, this is very dodgy. Run away!

PouffeGalore · 12/04/2010 10:24

I agree with uggmum - this sounds very dodgy (I work in fraud prevention for a major bank). Who would really buy a car without looking at it? Loads of fraudsters contact people by small ads and then buy things with fraudulent funds - you release goods as you think funds are cleared but then realise you've been duped. Also,if he sends you the money when does he intend collecting the car? Wouldn't most people pay cash and collect at the same time?

Fliight · 12/04/2010 10:27

Also could be money laundering? Is thatright?

LaurieFairyCake · 12/04/2010 10:28

And in case you're wondering what he gets out of it when it's not the car - he wants your bank account to steal your identity and your money or he wants to launder money.

It was on watchdog - go and have a look on iplayer for the full story.

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