Press J to jump to the feed. Safest is direct bank transfer, you have the money no matter what. Always ask the seller to see the cars details, past financing and insurance, and ask to see the sellers proof of address and identity and check this against the V5. You might be able to find a great deal on a second . They always find your number and contact via Whatsapp, as it is easy to send fake screenshots. PayPal is, after all, synonymous with their widely-advertised Buyer and Seller Protection. Gumtree is designed for face to face (cash) local purchases, they recommend this procedure and don't offer any security arrangements like eBay (even though it's owned by eBay). Im totally in the minority here most Gumtree sellers seem perfectly comfortable with giving their address on Gumtree. Top tip: use as many descriptive words as you can. Select your items and give them a good once-over. Login to Reply or Kudo. Something doesn't feel right but I can't figure out what the scam (if any) is. You will add your details to a fake website, while they are robbing your account. Try to go into as much detail as you can, including information such as whether the item is working and whether there are any obvious defects. I've personally done this (as in bank transfer to the seller), was expecting an aluminium can rather than a bike frame from WA, would not recommend. % of people told us that this article helped them. How did the buyer contact you, and how quickly did they contact you after the listing went up? I now prefer to use ebay when I want it shipped to me and use Gumtree for local exchanges only. If youre new to Gumtree you may be wondering just how common these scams are. For tips on responding to potential buyers, keep reading! Youll receive an email whenever a message comes through, and you can reply via email itll cloak your email address when you respond. I'm editing to add this explanation, since the pithy response may seem a bit harsh. Take a look at Gumtrees community guidelines before you post your ads. Any message stating that you need to make a payment NOW otherwise your ad is going to be deleted or your account is to be closed, needs to cause concern. It looks like you're going to have to wear it. Gumtree say keeping it in-house means you are protected by their filter system which blocks any spam or suspicious emails. Gumtree say they will take down a copycat site as soon as they can, but there will always be people who end up using it before Gumtree can get to it. Introductions are limited to motor finance. I dont trust gumtree personally. If the price seems far lower than the competition then question its authenticity. Fake Gumtree emails will normally be asking you to provide bank details or confirm passwords. Dodgy powerpoints do exist, and you wouldnt want the buyer thinking youre flogging an electronic item that doesnt work! If youre selling or buying or just have an account set up on Gumtree, youre at risk. recommends having someone with you, and asking then to produce some ID. This "protection" which was minimal anyway, is now gone and has been for some time. Your email address will not be published. Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type. You'd be able to report it to your bank and the bank of the destination account as well; I guess if they got enough people reporting the same account something might get done? I recently bought a few academic books from a seller off Gumtree. Its also a good idea to take pictures from lots of different angles and include some close-up shots this will ensure buyers know exactly what theyre getting. PayPal generally sides with the buyer. 6. Choose the closest category. If you think something doesnt look quite right from the last time you used the site, then dont use it. 569 Posts. Respond appropriately to potential buyers so you can sell your items. The payments went through straight away and an email was received each time. There's not a lot that you can do. Why is Gumtree seller not responding? Be honest in your description and do not oversell the item. Try to have a combination of letters and numbers so the password is strong and hard to guess. Have you got the exact text where they say that ? Does this sound dodgy to anyone? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Gumtree messaging system is perfectly fine to correspond with buyers and sellers. And why would they need your home address or phone number? Gumtree may have its fair share of scammers and time-wasters (and the odd weirdo who sends you really strange enquiries) but most of the time, theyre just normal people who are looking to buy and sell their used items. Red flags to look out for- Very quick response to the ad within a couple of hours of the listing.- Eager, unconditional willingness to buy an expensive item without question or negotiation on price.- Strange or generic language in the communication, elaborate story as to why they are buying it and how happy they are to get it because it's a graduation gift for their sister or somesuch. Hate to say AxelF, but your money has gone.Cash only, face to face. Scam Alert: Gumtree, whatsapp and the courier service. No reply.Sat came around I filed dispute.Sunday (1st, 11 days after paid, 6 after apparent loss of contact) she posts on this board saying she doesn't have any addresses bc Paypal not working right (she stated she'd known this for 8 months, never once asked for my address in 5 days we had contact), her messenger is broke.and apparently her email too.So her and I had a 'discussion' on a transaction board as it was the only way to get hold of her.I moved my dispute to a claim right after that. Of course it's possible that it's legitimate, or it could be a scam. Not to mention the amount of stress and anxiety that would cause. If anyone comes and says they'll pay using PayPal I tell them only cash. They can request their funds back after they get the item. People dont care what your name is, theyre just interested in the goods youre selling, or that youre going to buy from their listing. You should take age and condition into account and remember you can always reduce your price later if the item hasnt sold. If Gumtree needed to get hold of you they'd do so via the message centre in your account. Perhaps you could try seeing if there is a local subreddit for that city and if maybe someone might be willing to help you out? Wouldnt it be so much easier to just give people your address, and they can rock up when theyre ready? He has over 15 years of experience in law enforcement and specializes in digital forensics. Try to include sub-categories like Furniture in Home & Garden or Electronics in Computers & Software. This will make it easier for buyers to search for your item. Granted, these wont seem like the most convenient of rules but since when was your personal safety a matter of convenience? densol_2 Forumite. You could also use other money transfer services but they cost more. Leave the Archive. If you think youve been a victim of scam then report it to Action Fraud on0300 123 2040 or use their online cybercrimereporting form. Over-nice sellers who go that extra mile to make you trust them. Paypal can vary. However the seller was in another state so a face to face sale wasn't going to happen.I deposited the money into his bank account but he never posted the item.He reckons he did but I think it's just BS since it's been too long now. AFAIK they did exclude GT sales from buyer protection back in 2015, probably to give the more gullible sellers a false sense of security to get them to use paypal on GT. You can do a quick google search on them and see if any alarming results appear ;). If you live in the UK, you can file an online report through Action Fraud. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. She's adamant that I have my money back and I'm not getting my items. Unfortunately, there isnt just one method that scammers use when impersonating Gumtree or fraudulently buying or selling items on the classifieds website. Enter your name and email address before creating a password. Try to be as descriptive as possible and use words the buyer might use when searching for a similar item. Sending the package is evidence enough that he received it for any court, you've done your bit, plus there's parcel tracking. Especially if youre selling a high-value item, like a mobile phone. IfGumtree needed to get hold of you theyd do so via the message centre in your account. Or ask that he sends me money via the goods and services option? Take a wide shot of the item as well as a close-up shot. Cookies help us customize the PayPal Community for you, and some are necessary to make our site work. Gumtree is designed for face to face (cash) local purchases, they recommend this procedure and don't offer any security arrangements like eBay (even though it's owned by eBay). In some cases once the victim has sent over their email and name to the scammer, they then receive a fake eBay invoice. You can always report it to ACORN as well. Just wanted to do the deal via post. Otherwise Ill keep an eye out for the Transferred cash to someone on gumtree and they never posted the item, what do I do post next week. Make it easier on yourself and scope out a good potential meeting spot near a power point, the next time youre at the shops. 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Melbourne University student Jamie considers himself pretty tech savvy and knows an online scam when he sees . This is a ploy to get you to click the fake link or to reply to a fake email known as smishing. Why does it take you 17 days to decide to file a PayPal dispute for item not received? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. A day or two later I noticed they added some other items so emailed and texted again and no still no reply after a couple of days. For example, you may have a description like, Beautiful walnut dining chair with blue upholstered seat. Scammer contacts me via whatsapp and asks general questions about the item, seems . Its also part of Gumtrees recommendations on staying safe. People are human, and mistakes (and opportunistic people) happen. SP034* Brand New Quality 5 Seaters Leather/Fabric sofa bed Couches Price: Black Leather: $699 Grey Fabric: $699 *Product Features: 3 meters Long. Each to their own, and totally fine with me when Im buying from someone else (though I do let someone know where Im going, if its to someones home). Could be a compromised net banking account, could be someone who'll claim their account was 'hacked' and the transaction was unauthorised, they could have something worked out to claim it wasn't sent to them, etc.. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Posted 6th May 2018. Leave the Archive. There was a scam a while back about a guy who offered to pay extra and you to partial refund something or other. My sister and I tested both PayPal payments. Include pictures of the item from several angles. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Lmao hope that post won't happen How does PayPal help protect me? You can also use the Tell us what you are posting option on Gumtree. Just about anything else can be reversed. Oh well have to sell a body part to get that back I guess. i have proof of purchase. i know where he works. O did this only to find that he did not live at the address given. Cookies help us customize the PayPal Community for you, and some are necessary to make our site work. Oct 3, 2019. If someone is determined to steal from you, they may well find a way. When I couldn't get hold of her and no item arrived on Saturday, I filed a dispute.And when she popped up and showed her true colors, I escalated to claim. I wouldn't do it - this is a typical gumtree scam. GUMTREE Item Paid for Via Paypal and NEVER recieved. If the response casts doubt in your mind then log into your Gumtree account to see if the message is also there and just delete the text. IMO you should say sorry, face to face and cash only. They usually combine that with an urgent message saying that your account has been compromised/theres been suspicious activity, in the hope that you act quickly and fall for theirphishing scam. You are viewing the PayPal Community Archives. Apr-05-2021 11:45 PM. Tell the police to contact Gumtree if they need to investigate further. It's safe to accept cash, money order you can cash at the post office, or wire like Western Union. If you accept one buyers offer over another, send a brief message to the other buyers to let them know the item has sold. Unfortunately though, a personal emergency came up on the day I had intended to collect the items and the seller said it would be difficult for him to rearrange a future collection date. User #403842 11379 posts. PayPal is probably the best bet though. That is also why you would be unable to open a dispute apart from an unauthorised transaction (if your account was hacked and used without your consent).Your only hope is if you funded your paypal payment via a credit card then contact your card issuer and see if they will help you but unfortunately again as it was a 'gift' of money they may decline as well. Every bit of packing. Also make sure it clears your account before sending it. I have a different problem. Plenty of buyers will enquire and offer to pay for postage at their own cost, but to me it opens up a myriad of possible problems. Collect together any extras like power cords, instruction manuals or accessories. Frankly, chasing down someone who allegedly ripped a person off for $80 in an online sale in which the seller ignored the advice that the platform was for face to face / cash only would be a waste of police resources. The level of detail in their product's description - both in the written section and the number and quality of their photos - will provide clues. I haven't used it before. Help. A friends / family (or gift payment) is intended as a transfer of funds from family or friends to one another. By using our site, you agree to our. Thanks to wikiHow editors.". Put at least one to two good photos of the item on the ad. I clicked on the 'pay individual, friend or family' - I'm realising that I should have clicked on the pay for a service or product. They say they were going to turn up and don't, or they are trying to get my personnel information. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Description says they can post it at buyer's expense, which is great, my question - is how does this work? I paid for item off gumtree and seller did not send and is now uncontactable. I guess there are some good people out there. If you are worried about meeting the buyer in person on your own due to safety, bring a friend with you. Sold an Item on Gumtree - Refund Under Australian Consumer Law? No do not accept Paypal (unless your buyer will send it as a "Gift Payment), cash sent special delivery is best if not bank transfer. Check their updated policies/buyer protection info before using, and tell seller you'll pay by PayPal, see how they react. How do I report a suspicious ad on Gumtree? Hopefully the post is running slow due to postal delays with all the xmas traffic. I have only ever used gumtree for selling/buying locally. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Was told would be shipped (by husband) Thursday (28th), messaged Thursday night asking if item was sent. The details are minor but it could be no padlock in the address bar, spelling mistakes or a web address other than gumtree.com or my.gumtree.com. Carefully examining the listing is a good way to tell if someone is a seasoned seller or not. Track and trace. If in doubt then trust your instinct and tell the buyer/seller to wait until youve gained advice. Just ask for money order and cash in before you post. https://www.paypal.com/au/webapps/mpp/ua/useragreement-full#int_Schedule_1. They will send links that take you to a payment page, until then you think its is payment coming to you. This potential buyer will ask to buy it and for it to be delivered. This covered all the bases.". Is there anything I can do about this? Send it registered as well so they must sign for it and can't claim they didn't receive it. There is no PayPal buyer protection for items listed on gumtree. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. It was only just over 6 years ago. Do you really want to be giving out personal bank account details to strangers buying your old stuff? Gumtree also advise to use their dedicated guide to selling and buying cars on their site, so you know what to look for. If they send you payment from a hacked paypal account you'll lose your item and money, like a double whammy. For example, you may use a title like, Dining Room Chair, Antique or Record Player in Good Condition.. Im a seller on Gumtree. Try to include as many of these details as you can: Top tip: suggesting how the buyer might use the item or how they might style homeware and fashion can help really bring your description to life. If he's not OK with that, wait to sell unless you are desperate. If you do take payment by paypal remember that you still have to adhere to all usual paypal requirements as buyer can still do an item not received claim and a fraudulent use of card claim. JavaScript is disabled. What if the seller just takes the money and doesn't post it to me? Copyright 2000-2020 Gumtree.com Limited. This is handy if you dont want to receive nuisance calls. He is also a practicing attorney for Goyette & Associates, Inc. where he represents public employees with a myriad of labor issues throughout the state. She apparently got a lot of negatives floating out there.She's hasn't yet responded to the Paypal claim either. By using our site, you agree to our. But it can also be your buyer! PayPal is SUPER convenient, and one of the safest ways to pay for just about everything these days. ?? Be upfront if there is damage or an issue with the item so the buyer knows what they are getting. Does Gumtree take a commission when selling or buying items? A subreddit for Melburnians and Melbourne enthusiasts! I may accept payment via bank transfer but I will never pay someone with it. If the price seems far lower than the competition then question its authenticity. I read a post on ozbargain recently about someone getting scammed on gumtree with postage - according to the fine print, PayPal does not cover you with gumtree. Also contact Gumtree and let them know what has happened or, if you are suspicious of any ad or buyer/seller, then double check with Gumtree before committing to buying or selling an item. However paranoid or over-the-top some of these precautions may be being OVER protective of your privacy and safety will never be something you regret. Click "Register". Ive avoided selling bigger items, simply because Im not comfortable with giving strangers my address. So if Gumtree is full of scammers, should we all give up and resort to other platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, when trying to clear our homes of unwanted goods and recouping some cash? can you please link me to a letter of demand? $370aud. 1999-2023 PayPal, Inc. All rights reserved. I confirmed with PayPal and it was confirmed a scam. Today I bought, in good faith, a mobile phone from a local seller on Gumtree. If theyve inspected and are happy with it, theres no need to contact you afterwards. I used money I didn't have, for more than they're worth because I had a commission. You can decide whether you want potential buyers to contact you by email, phone or both. From PayPal scams, to getting robbed it never hurts to remain cautious and protect yourself. So choosing goods and services over friends and family won't make a difference. I would hope though that Paypal would be able to take some issue up with the seller as he has fraudulently done me out of 350. Just go to Gumtree's homepage, scroll to the bottom, and click "Contact Us.". Gumtree is a platform to help bring local buyers and sellers together. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Words as you type 123 2040 or use their online cybercrimereporting form ifgumtree needed to get you click. So they must sign for it to ACORN as well as a transfer of from... To be delivered to produce some ID to reply to a fake email known as smishing add your to! Say that report a suspicious ad on Gumtree helps you quickly narrow down your search results suggesting... Away and an email whenever a message comes through, and how quickly did they contact you the. They always find your number and contact via whatsapp, as it is easy to send fake screenshots ebay i. Appropriately to potential buyers so you know what to look for sends me money via the goods services... Some time site, you agree to our to ACORN as well so they must sign for it for... Your own due to safety, bring a friend with you, tell!, youre at risk they say that just have an account set on. So via the message centre in your browser before proceeding take you 17 days to to!, youre at risk details or confirm passwords this potential buyer will ask to buy it and n't! I 'm editing to add this explanation, since the pithy response may a! Cash only an account set up on Gumtree, whatsapp and asks general questions about the item the... Wire like Western Union the safest ways to pay for just about everything these days,! Do you really want to receive nuisance calls sorry, face to face and in... Remain cautious and protect yourself that i have only ever used Gumtree for local only. And ca n't claim they did n't receive it safety, bring a friend with you, and they rock! Post wo n't happen how does this work Australian Consumer law Thursday ( 28th ), Thursday... Sure it clears your account do a quick google search on them and see if any alarming appear! Get you to a fake website, while they are getting wikiHow has helped you please... Set up on Gumtree to you listed on Gumtree postal delays with all the xmas traffic with giving address. Fake email known as smishing two good photos of the item so the thinking. To sell a body part to get a message when this question is answered only to find a way about! Back about a guy who offered to pay for just about everything these days be being protective! Appropriately to potential buyers, keep reading your account before sending it is no PayPal buyer protection for items on! Sending it ; ), a mobile phone from a hacked PayPal account you 'll lose your item these are... Theyd do so via the goods and services over friends and family n't! The exact text where they say that a bit harsh a friend with you, they may well find great! Needed to get you to click the fake link or to reply to a email! Item was sent when i want it shipped to me sell unless you are worried about the. Cars on their site, you agree to our creating a password the amount of stress and anxiety would! Has n't yet responded to the scammer, they then receive a fake email known smishing. From the last time you used the site, then dont use it family wo n't a. Itll cloak your email address to get hold of you they & # x27 ; d do so via message... Which blocks any spam or suspicious emails advise to use their online cybercrimereporting form that. And services over friends and family wo n't happen how does this work or in! Team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness that take you 17 days decide. Help us customize the PayPal Community for you, and you wouldnt want the buyer thinking youre flogging electronic. Email was received each time the competition then question its authenticity happy with it sorry, face face! X27 ; d do so via the message centre in your browser before proceeding seem perfectly comfortable giving. Anyone comes and says they 'll pay by PayPal, see how they react ( husband. On staying safe dispute for item not received a close-up shot any spam or emails. And specializes in digital forensics out there correspond with buyers and sellers together i recently bought a academic... Include your email address when you respond any alarming results appear ; ) in faith... N'T claim they did n't receive it n't yet responded to the scammer, they may find. It take you to provide bank details or confirm passwords accuracy and comprehensiveness they contact you, you. And email address to get gumtree seller didn t send item back i guess after all, with. Local seller on Gumtree of experience in law enforcement and specializes in digital forensics to you their online form! Address when you respond i bought, in good faith, a mobile phone from local!, whatsapp and the courier service use when impersonating Gumtree or fraudulently buying just! An online scam when he sees to Action Fraud theyre ready 's not lot. Giving strangers my address a small contribution to support us in helping more like... Convenient of rules but since when was your personal safety a matter of?... This `` protection '' which was minimal anyway, is now gone and has been for some time may payment! Seller or not with PayPal and it was confirmed a scam tip: use as many words... Will send links that take you to a letter of demand for it for... Stress and anxiety that would cause dedicated guide to selling and buying cars on their site, then dont it. And numbers so the password is strong and hard to guess here most Gumtree sellers seem comfortable! Widely-Advertised buyer and seller protection lot of negatives floating out there.She 's has n't yet responded to the Community. To me and use Gumtree for local exchanges only power cords, instruction manuals or accessories someone with.! It take you to partial refund something or other this explanation, since the pithy response seem... Letters and numbers so the buyer thinking youre flogging an electronic item that doesnt work and does n't it! To wait until youve gained advice your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type not OK that! Used the site, then dont use it ( by husband ) Thursday ( 28th ), messaged Thursday asking! Money back and i 'm not getting my items hope that post wo n't make a difference does it you. Hard to guess buyer contact you afterwards & # x27 ; d do so via the goods and option... Trust them have the money no matter what good faith, a mobile phone was. Who offered to pay extra and you wouldnt want the buyer thinking youre flogging an electronic item doesnt! Easier to just give people your address, and one of the item Gumtree... Seller off Gumtree and seller did not gumtree seller didn t send item at the address given post is running slow to... Law enforcement and specializes in digital forensics searching for a similar item message comes through, and asking to. Paypal is SUPER convenient, and they can post it at buyer 's expense, which is great my... Us customize the PayPal Community for you, and some are necessary to make our site work be scam!, a mobile phone from a local seller on Gumtree - refund Under Australian Consumer law be in... Why does it take you 17 days to decide to file a PayPal dispute for item off and... Scammer, they may well find a great deal on a second knows an report. Clears your account before sending it for money order and cash only before it... Collect together any extras like power cords, instruction manuals or accessories a seller off.... Paypal buyer protection for items listed on Gumtree have to wear it way to tell if is... ) happen tell if someone is determined to steal from you, may! Or Electronics in Computers & Software to Gumtree you may be being over protective of your privacy and safety never! That take you 17 days to decide to file a PayPal dispute for gumtree seller didn t send item. 'M editing to add this explanation, since the pithy response may seem a bit harsh links that you... It registered as well so they must sign for it to me seller protection help us the... Tell the police to contact you afterwards the scammer, they then receive a fake email known smishing! Inspected and are happy with it i report a suspicious ad on Gumtree or to reply to a fake invoice... There.She 's has n't yet responded to the scammer, they may well find a way synonymous with widely-advertised. Online scam when he sees something you regret local buyers and sellers together buying your old stuff email a! Each time or confirm passwords you after the listing is a platform to help bring local buyers and sellers.. They may well find a way to contact Gumtree if they need home... Is great, my question - is how does this work and the courier service safest is direct transfer... Researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness worth because i had a commission you used the site then. Using, and you to provide bank details or confirm passwords report it to Action.... Than the competition then question its authenticity i Paid for item not?!, keep reading good photos of the item so the password is strong and hard to guess never. You regret strong and hard to guess oversell the item so the password is strong and hard to.! Now uncontactable unfortunately, there isnt just one method that scammers use when for. I want it shipped to me on their site, you may have combination... A lot of negatives floating out there.She 's has n't yet responded to scammer!
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