I need help with a possible transaction which smells fishy.

MarcoGovernali
New Community Member

KIND OF URGENT PLEASE!!  Hello everyone. Here is my question please. I posted an expensive musical instrument on Kijij - within a minute I got a message from someone on the other side of the country, wanting to buy it and they don't even want to talk about it. They said that they will send me the money via Paypal and that they will send a courier to pick it up. This smells fishy to me. Can they make the deal and then ask Paypal to refund the money citing something wrong with the deal? thank you so kindly. marco

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@MarcoGovernali

 

No idea really, all I can give you as per below are 2 of the most common scams so you are aware and can risk assess that transaction which I agree does smell iffy..............................

 

 A TYPICAL PAYPAL SCAM(s).

They encourage you to use paypal and may ask you to send the item internationally. They don't quibble on cost or ask any questions and may also say they can't view the item as they are disabled or working abroad etc etc but they will arrange a shipping agent to collect it.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't.
It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.
They will tell you that the payment is released when you provide paypal with a tracking/shipping number......this won't happen.

                                                                  OR
If the item requires shipping the 'fake' paypal email will tell you that the buyer has paid for the item + shipping costs but you must send those shipping costs to the courier/ shipping agent via western union, moneygram or walmart etc BEFORE the funds are released to you.

They are not interested in the item, they just want the western union etc funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.


Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.
Paypal do not tell you to send trackable, they advise it for selling protection but it is not compulsory.
Paypal NEVER expect you to use a rival money transfer service eg Moneygram or Western Union etc.

Also their is no seller protection on paypal for an item that is collected by the buyer.


Advice is voluntary.
Kudos / Solution appreciated.
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