Scammed on Facebook

[user24]

I don't really know where to post this but I need some advice if anyone can please help

My partner had an advert on his Facebook for a dinosaur quad bike, he bought 2. He was sent a tracking message by text.

This was at the beginning of lockdown and we still haven't received it. So I looked up the company today and it seems lots of people have done the same thing- ordered and not received. It says this website is a scam.

I am quite aware that he was an idiot for buying off some weird website and that the price was to good to be true. (Bikes value is about £350 and he paid about £140 for 2) But I feel that Facebook should not be allowed to advertise these kind of websites.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about dealing with this. Or is it just an annoying lesson learnt.

What advice has your partner had already Op?

To be honest, bikes for sale at such a reduced price are either never going to turn up, or have been stolen. I'm surprised that he didn't get this.

I sympathise but

But I feel that Facebook should not be allowed to advertise these kind of websites

Don't blame Facebook.

Short of contacting the police (who won't do anything) and reporting it to Facebook if it's still there theres probably not much you can do.

Scammers will find ways to scam people however much you try and play whack a mole with them on social media etc. It's also on us as individuals to remain diligent and suspicious when buying online.

How did he pay for the item, that might determine if he has any chance of getting his money back

No advice at all, he is just going to forget about it.

He ordered them, then showed me what he had ordered - one for my friends kid too, but she lives in a small flat so I looked it up to see the actual size. And when I looked it up I think it was from fisher price and they were worth a lot more. I did wonder if we would actually get them.

He put his card details in

Get your DH to call his bank. The bank can claim the money back from the company’s bank for goods not received. (Whether or not it was on a credit card)

There is a buyer beware thing here op. Facebook cannot be expected to vet every single person or company who wishes to use their platform, they can only remove if they become aware of scams. The resource required and time it would take to verify every single seller and company would be massive.

People need to research who they buy from, it only takes a couple of mins, and not get greedy when they see something cheap.

The bank can claim the money back from the company’s bank for goods not received

Only if still there, if the funds have been removed, which generally they are immediately then they cannot. A credit card would however allow him to claim the funds back.

I had similar happen to me Bluntless100 when I made an online purchase, I had to wait about 2-3 weeks before I could make the claim, but I got my money refunded back to me. It’s definitely worth a shot.

As the saying goes if something is too good to be true it probably is. Hope he learns.

He needs to contact the bank and speak to the online fraud but

I had similar at Christmas and brought something from an ad that came up on Facebook . I realised it was a scan a few weeks later and called my bank. ( NatWest )

They then contacted the seller on my behalf to give them time to resolved if they didn't respond in 28 days I got my money back. NatWest were brilliant.

The only thing I'm not sure on is if it's been to long to do that but I'm pretty sure it is still worth a try !

I would suggest you also get a new credit card as the people who have done this know the number.

I've had this with, I filled out a fraud claim with bank and had monies returned. Lesson learnt, if its too good to be true it usually is. I also reported it to Facebook. Haven't seen the advert since.

I embarrassingly bought the same thing from the same advert I think op.

I bought mine on credit card so will claim through them.

I thought it looked a bit dodgy but it had reviews which looked legit then they sent tracking details which looked legit. The tracking was being updated regular over a few weeks up until the 'out for delivery from local depot'. Then poof! Everything just disappeared! The website, the tracking everything.

I feel a totally stupid, I'm usually sensible.

Bastards but my own fault

He put his card details in

If he used a credit card he can claim the money back from his credit card provider. Under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act they are liable for the seller's failure to provide.

If he used a debit card section 75 does not apply. He may still be able to get his money back via a chargeback but that might not be possible given the length of time since the transaction..

Thanks everyone. I will get him to contact the bank.

@Bezzi did look good didn't it 🤣

Also worth reporting the scammer to ActionFraud.