Jump to content

Can people scam you using paypal?


lloydkayak

Recommended Posts

I have posted a phone I am selling in the classefieds here as well as junkmail and on gumtree...

 

I received the following response from an "interested buyer", I am pretty sure it seems quite sketchy... But as you will see the want to use paypal to pay... Can one be scammed if paypal is used?

 

I apologise if this is in the wrong topic...

 

"

From: <>

To: >

Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 3:29 PM

Subject: Re: Another response to your Junk Mail ad "I bought an Xperia Active"

 

I am interested in buying this stuff for my kid who schools abroad.

Regarding payment, i would prefer to pay with PayPal as i feel

comfortable using PayPal for online transaction because of safety. It

would be very helpful if you could help me ship it over to him. I

would have make the process by myself but the fact that I am on a

business trip out of the country presently makes it

impossible for me to do so. I would add R2000 to the money due to the

cost of shipping internationally. If this works for you, get back to

me with your PayPal email as i can send the funds now

"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Scam.

 

Adding R 2,000 to the asking price for postage, without even knowing how much postage will be? A son who is "schooling abroad"?

 

Add the horrific grammar to the abovementioned indicators, and I'm amazed that you're even asking this question...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HAHAHA! Phones abroad are a lot cheaper than here, Now he wants to offer you an extra 2k to post it.

 

People usually bargain down, not up!

 

SCAM!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

:wacko: Now I feel stupid for even posting this....

 

I cannot believe the amount of scam replies I have received... as in 10 responses, every single one dodgey!

Anyway, at least I maybe gave you guys some early thursday entertainment

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with all the sentiments but i am still interested in the answer. If there wasnt any of the obvious warning signs - is Paypal safe. My hunch is yes it is if you allow the funds to clear and be confirmed into your own paypal account. I'll do some research and report back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That was actually the question... thank you... As far as I knew, once the paypal cleared into your account there is no way they could retract the funds as long as you prove the item was sent. But obviously, in this case a scam

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I believe Paypal offers seller protection, but only if you sent it to the verified address that is linked to the Paypal account. Also, you can only pay from Paypal into another Paypal account (in SA, at least).

 

I suspect what will happen is they will pay, you will send, they will institute a claim that the item never arrived, Paypal will reverse the transaction since you didn't send to the verified Paypal address.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Be careful. They send you very convincing "proof of payment" documents as well. It would be interesting to expand this topic as to how not to get caught or ripped off. Just what is a fool proof method of selling something these days. Obviously cash is safest - just watch those R200.00 notes - witnessed a shop refusing any notes signed by Tito. Insisted on notes signed by Gill Marcus.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

:wacko: Now I feel stupid for even posting this....

 

I cannot believe the amount of scam replies I have received... as in 10 responses, every single one dodgey!

Anyway, at least I maybe gave you guys some early thursday entertainment

 

Nothing stupid about posting here. Its not an attack on you. Rather be safe than sorry, thats what the Hub is for

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I also say this is a scam.

 

For future reference Paypal does provide buyer and seller insurance. So if a transaction goes wrong, Paypal can repay you the money. Its part ofthe service they offer. Same goes for ebay.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

PayPal only requires an email address to send money, so you aren't divulging sensitive information. PayPal sends you a notification when funds arrive and sometimes you have to accept the funds. I would log into my PayPal account and double check to see the money is there. i can't see the scam involving the PayPal process, I think the scam bit comes once you take the next step. The extra R2k is the carrot.

Edited by kandui
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, the sending address just came through... Lagos Nigeria hehe...

 

It is overwhelming the amount of scam mails I have received

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout