Ebay auctions and the "collect in person" scam

[VC]

This is as old as the hills but a friend of mine has just been caught out by this, i'm very trusting and so is he but i get attempted scams all the time due to the amount of online trading i do so i'm aware of most of the tricks that get played, unfortunately he isnt and has just been rubbed backwards for a few hundred on a set of alloys

if youre not aware of the collect in person vs paypal please read below, absorb it and hopefully you'll never fall prey 

PayPal Fraud

In a collection in person PayPal scheme

The scammer targets eBay auctions that allow the purchaser to personally collect the item from the seller, rather than having the item shipped, and where the seller accepts PayPal as a means of payment.

The fraudster uses a fake address with a post office box when making their bids, as PayPal will allow such an unconfirmed address. Such transactions are not covered by PayPal's seller protection policy. The fraudster buys the item, pays for it via PayPal, and then collects the item from the victim. The fraudster then challenges the sale, claiming a refund from PayPal and stating that they did not receive the item.

PayPal's policy is that it will reverse a purchase transaction unless the seller can provide a shipment tracking number as proof of delivery; PayPal will not accept video evidence, a signed document, or any form of proof other than a tracking number as valid proof of delivery.

This form of fraud can be avoided by only accepting cash from buyers who wish to collect goods in person.

Stay safe people 

[skard]

Keep spreading the word 

This is why I have refunded more substantial PayPal collections in the past asking for cash instead, and why I'm not keen on people organising their own courier as you don't necessarily have access to the booking info.

Unfortunately a few always ruin it for the masses.

[Andy]

Must admit i always ask for c.o.d now

[Mandy]

I never accept paypal if the person wants to collect an item, always ask for cash on collection.

[stealthwolf]

I heard about a few people getting stung by this frequently. I'm surprised they won't accept video evidence. I guess this would be the same as photographic evidence? eg a photo of you giving the item to the buyer, with both people in the picture and easily identifiable, as well as the item?

[Tamiyoman]

As the economy gets worse the amount of scams gets more im afraid, in the last 5 years "Non receipt" claims had gone up around 300%, basically buyers look for items with free post or std mail (no tracking), buy your items, receive them, claim non receipt and paypal refund them and then use another account to sell them on, got to the stage where we were spending 2 hours per week just filling in claim forms, Recorded mail only now for lots of sellers and its the honest buyers who pay for it.

[Eddie-NL]

when I sell an item and they want to collect it, it has to be cash.

[bacillus]

Thanks for sharing this info...   

[Ifti]

I only ever use recorded mail for everything I sell, just to be on the safe side.

Bear in mind, if you ever get stung like this, simply send the scammer a box of trash, and then simply respond to the eBay case stating you have sent a replacement, and provide the tracking number this time.  

However, sellers can also scam you like this as well, by sending trash and claiming you as the buyer are lying.

Always buy from trusted eBay sellers, with good feedback etc.
Never allow collections no matter how close the person is (unless it's cash on collection), and likewise never drop off and try to save some cash - always post and use a signed for delivery service.
When selling expensive items, try to delay the posting of the item for a few days if you can. If the payment is fraudulent it will most likely be picked up within a day or two.

I've been stung for a phone before by hastily sending the item off, then cashing in a postal order only to be informed it was a fake.

[h4rdy]

Good info this.
Surely Paypal will have to change their policy if this behaviour goes up?
Ifti thats a good idea as well.
Personally a steaming turd would be better!
But you risk them coming back round your house and smearing it in your face.

[Tamiyoman]

Good info this.
Surely Paypal will have to change their policy if this behaviour goes up?
Ifti thats a good idea as well.
Personally a steaming turd would be better!
But you risk them coming back round your house and smearing it in your face.

Paypal have no intention of changing anything, at the end of the day its either the seller or the buyer who loses out and not them and they still get their %age, even if paypal payment is fuilly refunded they still hold a little back plus they had the 12% ebay fees anyway so its a win/win for them.

There are so many scams on ebay with paypal, unfortunately its VERY easy to do.

[h4rdy]

Good info this.
Surely Paypal will have to change their policy if this behaviour goes up?
Ifti thats a good idea as well.
Personally a steaming turd would be better!
But you risk them coming back round your house and smearing it in your face.

Paypal have no intention of changing anything, at the end of the day its either the seller or the buyer who loses out and not them and they still get their %age, even if paypal payment is fuilly refunded they still hold a little back plus they had the 12% ebay fees anyway so its a win/win for them.

There are so many scams on ebay with paypal, unfortunately its VERY easy to do.

Sad isn't it that people feel the need to rip the working man off.

[Tamiyoman]

Very sad yes!

[h4rdy]

Even eBay/Paypal

[Snoopy]

Another good one is Paypal dont cover part payment or deposit on cars or a few other things.
So someone can advertise a car or something as immaculate, show fantastic photos, say what ever they want in the advert. Basically lie though there teeth.
You pay a deposit by paypal after winning the auction, as asked for in the advert. Travel hundreds of miles to pick the car up and its a complete shed not even fit for the scrap yard. So you walk away with your deposit lost as he has lots of large dogs and friends.
The seller then does this another 3 times as he gets free relisting as logs a non payment against you. You tell ebay/paypal what happened and there not interested.

Paypal/ebay don't give a crap about people or care, and have so many stupid rules that make no common sense.