What to Do When a Marketplace Seller Has Most Likely Scammed You?

jjsu on 10/11/2022 - 22:56

Hi all,

Purchased a Switch as a gift from a Marketplace seller on 1 Nov, and they posted it to me the same day. I paid them through PayID. The tracking number they provided me surprisingly showed that it was coming the very next day (2 Nov).

It was at this time the seller removed the listing from Marketplace and left the chat. Strange, but I didn't think I would have any issues down the line.

Later on 2 Nov, I checked the tracking number again and it showed "Attempted Delivery - receiver not known at address". I was home all day and didn't hear anything.

I sent a enquiry to Auspost the same day, and they got back to me the next day (3 Nov) and basically said that the sender provided the incorrect address and that the normal protocol was to return the package to them.

Confused, I added the seller on Facebook and messaged them about it and they seemed equally confused. They sent me pictures of their Auspost receipt which merely showed the right postcode. They seemed to want to remedy the situation ASAP as they said that they would keep an eye on the tracking number and Express Post it back as soon as it reaches them.

I left it at that, but still kept my eye on the tracking number. It reached my local sorting facility on 7 Nov and hasn't moved since. I opened up my message log with the seller today and wanted to ask if they had any possible updates but it said "This person is unavailable on Messenger". I couldn't find their profile on Facebook anymore, so that led me to believe that they had blocked me.

I hopped on another Facebook account and tried to contact them again but was almost instantly blocked by them. Unavailable on Messenger and couldn't find their profile.

TL;DR Marketplace seller sent Switch to wrong address. Auspost is in the process of returning the item to them. After contacting them about the situation, I was blocked on two separate accounts.

I know my chances of getting the Switch, or my money back are slim - but what would be my best course of action?

Thanks for reading all this, as well as any help you can provide.

Gaming

Comments

  • Wiadro on 10/11/2022 - 23:00
    +8

    You got scammed, this is a scam, they post to another address in your postcode. Could be a friend or a random empty address.

    • HeWhoKnows on 11/11/2022 - 07:58
      -4

      Not sure its a scam
      Perhaps the seller thinks you are trying to scam them

      It goes both ways

      But in future only buy items which you can collect and pay COD
      Or buy on eBay

      Lesson learnt

      • Cheaplikethebird on 11/11/2022 - 08:25
        +7

        This exact scenario has been posted here enough times now to know this is a scam.

      • hazzad on 11/11/2022 - 08:45
        +8

        Plus if they were genuine, why would they delete and leave and then block further attempts to communicate. Clearly a scam.

        Moral of the story, never buy things of any significant value via eft on marketplace. If you can't do cos, then offer to pay pay pal goods and services. If they don't want to do it, call it a day.

        Switch scams have been rife for a number of years now. They know they re in high demand by families and offer generally to good to be true deals. If it looks fishy, it most likely is.

  • altomic on 10/11/2022 - 23:01
    +28

    Why <pinches bridge of nose> would you do a bank transfer for an item on marketplace/gumtree ?

    • CyberMurning on 10/11/2022 - 23:14
      +2

      because human nature is think if too good to be true then means i am the luckies person in the world

    • tallkid123 on 10/11/2022 - 23:25
      +2

      I have done bank transfers in the past on online marketplaces/forums but only for low value, rare items outside of my area where if I get scammed, I'd just get pissed for a bit and move on.

      Luckily, no one has scammed me yet.

    • brisdaz on 11/11/2022 - 08:48

      I've also done it for medium value items which have a significant saving that if I was scammed one in three times I'd still be ahead.

    • star-ggg on 11/11/2022 - 08:53

      ppl have paid me through bank transfer before. I'd never do it myself.

  • Tomhaigh1 on 10/11/2022 - 23:05
    +3

    Scam, rule of thumb, you give cash and get item face to face.

  • plmko on 10/11/2022 - 23:09

    Give up

    • jjsu on 10/11/2022 - 23:48
      +1

      Basically have, I just wanted to hear other people's input.

  • Postal Dude on 10/11/2022 - 23:11
    +6

    I'd be calling the bank to see if theres any chance of reversing it due to fraud

    • jjsu on 10/11/2022 - 23:50
      +1

      I'll definitely do that tomorrow, worth a shot.

      Cheers

    • brisdaz on 11/11/2022 - 00:05
      +2

      fraud lines are usually 24 hours. I'd do that now.

      • Lanushi on 11/11/2022 - 11:38
        +2

        This isn't fraud, though. Speaking from experience, my bank claimed that because I had initiated the transaction, that there was nothing they could do. I would assume this is the same for OP

        • Quantumcat on 11/11/2022 - 13:22
          +1

          I agree that buying something and the seller not posting it is not fraud, but I wonder what does count as fraud? Eg dodgy investment schemes sound like fraud but people are initiating those transactions so by your definition this wouldn't count.

        • kiitos on 11/11/2022 - 15:48

          Why isn't it fraud?

          • Lanushi on 12/11/2022 - 16:05
            +2

            @kiitos: Bank fraud is typically when a third party gains access to your funds posing as you. Providing funds in a transaction is not considered bank fraud

        • jjsu on 11/11/2022 - 22:56
          +5

          I spoke with Commbank today and they have the option to dispute a transaction if you haven't received the goods/services you paid for. They put through a "payment recovery request", so I'll just have to wait and see what happens.

      • brisdaz on 11/11/2022 - 12:41

        They may still reimburse out of customer goodwill and write it off to encourage use of the bank account.

    • hazzad on 11/11/2022 - 08:46

      Some people have had success with this so def worth a try. Seems to vary from Bank to bank and time from when transaction was made.

  • CyberMurning on 10/11/2022 - 23:17
    +5

    oh well for some popular items probably do local trade only…

    saying that, last month i sent $55 to someone from marketplace for a logitech mouse, lucky turn out he is a honest seller.
    i got it in few days - 98% new perfect condition etc etc and that was bargain price. brand new is $110 he even included the receipt from harveynorman 3 months ago.

    what made me trust the guy ,
    first i sent couple questions and he replied in good manner.
    second, he sold some other unique items not that a scammer will have them. kind of collectible items.
    and the value isnt that much. so yeah i gambled. and won

  • Yummy on 10/11/2022 - 23:22
    -2

    They did a switcheroo on ya. Its gone bro, now cry in the corner.

    • jjsu on 10/11/2022 - 23:56

      I think I'm done having a sook over it. At least I got a lesson out of it - pay in cash, or just don't deal with Marketplace users

  • Miss B on 10/11/2022 - 23:23
    +1

    How much was it?

  • ChunkyToast on 10/11/2022 - 23:24
    +1

    Post on Ozbargain about it.

  • garetz on 10/11/2022 - 23:35

    You can contact your bank provider and say you mistakenly made the transaction to a scammer. They may refund you but they have no obligation to.

  • thatonethere on 10/11/2022 - 23:37
    +2

    Some people are really naively trusting - in the great GPU shortage I sold a bunch of second hand GPU's for $600 a piece and people were payid'ing me and trusting me to ship. I did ship though but jeez.

  • PissLUR on 10/11/2022 - 23:37

    How much was the switch?

    • CyberMurning on 10/11/2022 - 23:38

      probably "Oled in good condition with pro controller and 3 games rarely used $200 if sold today"

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/11/2022 - 23:52

        Lol - op prob: damn what a deal!!

      • jjsu on 10/11/2022 - 23:53

        How'd you know???

        In all seriousness, I did pay $200 for a Switch, Split Pad Pro and some other accessories. Should've seen that it was too good to be true, just the seller seemed like a genuine bloke.

        I guess what stings more is that he bothered to interact with me after removing himself from the chat.

        • Hardlyworkin on 11/11/2022 - 08:21
          +5

          Probably a genuine bloke with a love of meth.

        • CyberMurning on 11/11/2022 - 08:53
          +1

          totally guessing, but sometimes we hunt for a bargain for weeks months checking gumtree marketplace for hours everyday, contacting sellers some never replied, going to pickup place, petrol, traffic, etc - that is all TIME used. and TIME is MONEY.
          for example. instead of looking for x for $100 after a month you still dont get it, what if at the beginning you increase your budget/offer to $125 maybe you get it in 1 day.

          so 1 month time hunting (countless hours in the computer. bargainings. stresses) for $25 ?

          sometimes there are an amazing deal to get but proceed only when they are local. and dont forget there are hundreds like you outthere.

        • SF3 on 11/11/2022 - 09:00

          seller faker seemed like a genuine bloke

          FTFY.

        • capslock janitor on 12/11/2022 - 13:24

          how did he seem genuine ?

      • AustriaBargain on 11/11/2022 - 06:17

        Maybe he really was selling it at that price because he needed the quick easy money, and then OP shows up and says he wants to pay by bank transfer and have it posted to him and suddenly there's an even easier and quicker way to get $200; simply not post it and keep the Switch. It could be that the seller really did need $200 would have actually sold it for $200 cash if the only interested buyers wanted to pick it up.

  • brisdaz on 11/11/2022 - 00:07
    +6

    Also check your facebook email. There you can report the profile as a scam. I think you can also report to federal government as well.

    • brisdaz on 11/11/2022 - 08:51
      +5

      Post to ACCC scam. It will help the Australian community. If a victim posts that they've done that here strangers maybe more likely to help as you're seen as being pro-social. That is reporting to ACCC does nothing for you personally but it helps us (the Australian community). It takes under five minutes or so.

      • jjsu on 11/11/2022 - 22:54

        Fair enough, even if the funds are not recoverable I've learnt a valuable lesson and hope that in doing so that others can learn preventative measures

        Also, I'm not sure if I'll be able to report the account because I can't find it anymore (perks of being blocked)

        • brisdaz on 12/11/2022 - 08:56

          As mentioned above check your Facebook email that you used to signup. By default notifications are also sent to email.

  • KingJuf on 11/11/2022 - 00:10

    What to do? Learn your lesson and don't do it again. Cash on pickup/delivery always for marketplace/gumtree.

  • MS Paint on 11/11/2022 - 00:22
    -3

    Troll post - no ozbargain member pre 2021 would fall for this old chestnut.

  • merivetio on 11/11/2022 - 07:24
    +1

    I've been bank transfered for items of $500, and $900 value on Facebook marketplace recently…

    Why is beyond me - but luckily, I'm not a scammer!

  • offthetap on 11/11/2022 - 07:30

    lesson learnt, unfortunately you will not see your money or the switch. never transfer $$ always pay cash and pick up face to face. if you can't do that buy brand new off amazon etc.

  • virgo76 on 11/11/2022 - 07:45

    With expensive items or really any items meet in person..Exchange cash for item. In addition always take screen shot of the advertisnent

  • AndyC1 on 11/11/2022 - 07:56

    Looks like OP does not read OZ Bargain posts… cash cash cash on FB & Gumtree.

    • CyberMurning on 11/11/2022 - 08:54

      nope he was too busy checking marketplaces for $300 good condition PS5 with 2 games next

  • modsec802 on 11/11/2022 - 08:39

    Was their payID a mobile number? Did you try calling it?

    • jjsu on 11/11/2022 - 22:51

      Their PayID was an email address - I don't think there's any point in sending an email to them lol

      • capslock janitor on 12/11/2022 - 13:26
        +1

        tell them they will be reported to the cyberscam authorities

        a final message

  • ForkSnorter on 11/11/2022 - 09:11
    -1

    I would never, not in a million years, send money to someone I don't know, on the off chance that they're going to send me something in the mail.

    Always inspect an item in person before buying on marketplace/gumtree, and pay/pickup in person.

  • backupper1 on 11/11/2022 - 11:47

    Just call your bank and they maybe able to void the transaction. Key is to let them know as soon as possible, its 24x7 helpline with hour long wait times. it will take them 10working days or more to conclude it(either your money recovered or not)
    Big4s have robust systems in place to deal with frauds, scams etc so if the transactions were done through them then you have a good chance to get your money back.

    • jjsu on 11/11/2022 - 22:53

      I'm with Commbank and they have the option to dispute a transaction if you haven't received the goods/services paid for. I contacted them today and they have raised a "payment recovery request". They've told me that in some cases it may take up to 8 weeks to reach an outcome.

      • capslock janitor on 12/11/2022 - 13:27
        +1

        set reminder for 8wks

      • backupper1 on 13/11/2022 - 11:11

        CommBank has good safety so you can be assured of outcome being in your favour.

      • crimsondarkn on 21/05/2023 - 18:27

        Did you get any update from the bank? I'm in a similar position right now. Thanks mate

  • TilacVIP on 12/11/2022 - 14:30

    there are some really disgusting people on this planet.

    Hopefully karma comes good.

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