Expecting - May have just made a huge mistake?!

[ClaireHamm]

Hi Everyone,
Hoping someone can offer me some advice please!

I am 6 months along, expecting twins, currently in a 1 bed flat with my partner, that he inherited a little while ago. We have been trying to sell the flat to upgrade to a 2 bed ready for the little ones' arrival. We have had very little interest though. My partner got a call from a property company yesterday and they said they buy houses for the asking price quickly, for only £1000 fees upfront, to sell on themselves. My hubby went ahead and sent it to them and told me the 'good news' over dinner last night. I did a little research today and found this worrying post here and now I am seriously concerned that we have been scammed!
We really are struggling at the moment and £1000 lost is going to really set us back, I don't know what to do?! I am distraught right now. Please can anyone help?
TIA!

I'm so sorry to hear about this, you absolutely do not need the worry right now. Obviously we can't say for definite that it's a scam but it does sound suspicious - I would call ActionFraud, the police via 111 and your bank immediately. How did he send the money - bank transfer, debit card or credit card? If one of the latter you may have some protection or if bank transfer the bank may be able to stop the transfer worth giving them a call asap anyway. If the company is genuine (have to say I've never heard of a legit company operating like this but who knows) they should be willing to wait until you have fully checked them out...

Hope you sort it! And thanks for posting, if it is a scam you may have alerted others from falling for the same thing.

I would contact the Police for advice and your bank if he made the payment through them (or a credit card if he made it that way).

There are companies that buy properties quickly but usually for less than the asking price so although I haven't read the link, it doesn't sound good I'm sorry to say.

Sorry to hear about that.
Yes get in touch with the bank or whoever you made the payment through and let them know it's a fraudulent payment, also contact action fraud and let them know.
Things are set up a little better nowadays to deal with this kind of thing when it happens but even so they try to move the money out as quickly as possible.

The police and Action Fraud won't do anything - there's been a lot in the press about it recently.

You're best bet is if he paid on a credit card - that way he can get it back from the bank. I pay for anything expensive via PayPal and Amex as they're very reliable that way.

*your, stupid autocorrect

Thank you for the replies! He just sent a bank transfer using his online banking, it is already gone from his account, we will see if the bank can do anything to get it back! He has managed to get the day off work tomorrow so he can go to the bank in person. Its just a debit card not a credit card.
I think you are right @Nowisthemonthofmaying doubt Police will help.

Don't wait until tomorrow, call the number on the card now! There must be a lost and stolen number or similar! The crooks will be transferring the money out, as soon as they can, so no point waiting around!

Defo sounds like a scam. They're offering to buy from you why would you be paying them to buy it?!
Poor show to your OH but mistakes happen and you can claw it back from the bank.
That link only had 1 bad review posted yesterday though that I could see. I would assume they change their numbers and details alot.