Car Buying Scam?

LSingularityOS on 30/05/2024 - 13:38

I am currently selling a car in NSW for on Gumtree and Facebook.

Someone in VIC has called me and is interested in buying sight unseen. They are willing to pay $250 deposit via BSB and account number, then pay the rest before having it picked up by a car carrier. The car is low value around $5k so its not massive money being handled (relatively)

If I go through with this, if I confirm the money is actually in my account before letting the car go, how safe is this? Is this some kind of scam and is there any way the person can pull their money back after?

TIA

Automotive

Comments

      • richmond12 on 31/05/2024 - 11:30
        +1

        I still dont understand how 'money is reversed' once its in your bank account. can you please explain?

        • gromit on 31/05/2024 - 11:45
          +1

          A bank can legally take the money back out if it is deemed an incorrect or fraudulent transfer. From a legal perspective you have no legal right to keep the money if it was from a fraudulent transfer (e.g. a stolen account).

        • blitz on 31/05/2024 - 13:05

          I still dont understand how 'money is reversed' once its in your bank account.

          When a bad check is presented, the money is usually credited to your account at that time - but the cheque transaction itself is being validated in the background. Depending on the presenting bank, that could take a week or two. Here's NAB's cheque information page for more info:

          The steps involved in clearing a cheque are usually: you deposit a cheque you have received into your NAB account; we will seek payment of the cheque from the bank on which the cheque is drawn; and the bank will pay the proceeds of the cheque to your NAB account. Only after the completion of these steps will the cheque be cleared.

          Normally you will not be able to withdraw the value of a cheque you deposit until the cheque is cleared, even though your account will be immediately credited with the proceeds of the cheque. This rule applies even to cheques made payable to 'cash'.

  • Brianqpr on 31/05/2024 - 09:45

    Did they respond within 2 minutes of you placing the ad? Gummie since 2024?

  • fefris on 31/05/2024 - 09:48
    +1

    they can get it back out of your account, its not "safe" just because your balance changes, if the account is stolen for example the bank will reverse the payment

    • Brianqpr on 31/05/2024 - 10:02
      +1

      I deal with scams in my job. The transfer is rarely reversed, especially with instant payments as the money will usually already be gone. The bank will write to the receiving bank and request return of the funds. If the funds have been removed from the account then the bank can only ask the account holder for the funds, they can't or don't compel them to return the money.

      Its the same even when it is not a scam and someone has just entered the wrong account number and it goes to an unintended recipient. If the recipient ignores the return request nothing happens to them.

      • LFO on 31/05/2024 - 10:51
        +1

        From memory "bank transfer errors" cannot/will-not be ignored.

        Vaguely recall some couple (in NZ?) getting, in error, "millions" and went into a shopping spree. House and all.
        Didn't fly for long …

        • doobey1231 on 31/05/2024 - 11:08

          I mean you can't just go in and say whoopsie please reverse I made a mistake. There needs to be some sort of evidence that a mistake was made.

          • Brianqpr on 01/06/2024 - 09:29
            +1

            @doobey1231: Even then the receiving bank does not force the recipient to return the funds. They'll ask them to do it but don't do anything if the request is ignored. Our fraud and recovery team have been through this process many, many times.

            Be very careful you get everything right when transferring funds, double and triple check. It's also worth phoning the sender of any invoices you have to pay to double check the account details, as hackers sometimes change the account details on invoices before an unsuspecting customer transfers the money.

            I think a lot of people assume that if something happens you will get the money back. Certainly not true most of the time unless you are VERY quick to inform the bank what has happened.

        • Brianqpr on 01/06/2024 - 09:32

          Its usually a customer error (entering the wrong details) and therefore not the bank's fault. It won't be ignored, but the money is usually gone by the time the bank is told about it.

  • azero on 31/05/2024 - 09:54

    Glady to say thank you for the prompt correspondence I have gone through the Ad and it’s such a great and awesome vehcile . I am an house builder contractor who supplies workers and buys materials for a house project. I live at Balgowlah NSW 2093 but i am presently in Northern Territory for 5 week for a new project. The reason why i am explaining all this is because i am getting this item for my son and I won't be visibility time for me to do a ride around of the vehicle. I am free to receive phone calls if you need my mobile number and I can also attach the copy of my driver's license to you to know who you are dealing with because there are too many scammers out there lately, kindly let me know if you are the first owner of the item ? Why did you decide to sell it? I don't mind adding an extra $100.00 for you just to take down the posting.I am already in talks with freighters that will handle the pickup and delivery .I will really appreciate it if you can email more info. I'd be paying via SecurePay to your bank account.

    They can now even send licence photos.

    • LFO on 31/05/2024 - 10:46

      Mmmmm … sounds legit …. :-p

      • azero on 31/05/2024 - 17:49

        I got about 10 messages in gumtree within an hour of posting that had the line

        "I am already in talks with freighters"

        And it is not easy to talk to freighters on a friday 5.30pm :)

    • Daabido on 02/06/2024 - 20:26

      Incorrect use of "an". That's an instant red flag, unless he's Cockney.

  • Herbse on 31/05/2024 - 11:00
    -7

    Lol you guys are funny. Paranoid af to the point where a legitimate sale can't go through.

    A legitimate bank transfer/osko can't be reversed unless the receiver agrees to send it back. Comments that constantly say "there are ways to recover it" are parroted internet nonsense

    Its a cheap car, not some luxury thing worth the effort of a scam. The guy offered a deposit. And money before picking it up. A complete standard sale.

    Oh well. No loss to anyone at this point. Just funny how the boomers who don't understand how payid and bank transfers actually work are so afraid of selling anything and parrot the usual "cash is king" rubbish.

    GL with the sale.

    • gromit on 31/05/2024 - 12:29
      +2

      people are paranoid af as this closely mirrors one of the most executed scams on gumtree and facebook and $5k while a cheap car is way way above the threshold scammers look for to find it profitable. I had this exact scenario on my $6k dirt bike and on my wifes scooter selling for just $700. both received multiple offers like that mentioned both within a few minutes of listing.

      • Camelface on 31/05/2024 - 14:08

        I have been scammed for even $50

    • jackspratt on 31/05/2024 - 19:45

      What is even funnier is your total lack of understanding of what "boomers" may or may not know.

    • Brianqpr on 01/06/2024 - 13:42

      I recently advertised tickets for a show I couldn't attend worth about $250. Multiple scam messages within minutes so they don't restrict themselves to expensive or "luxury" items.

      You are right on bank transfers though. Recipient has to agree to the return. Its why it's a better option than PayPal where scammers can lodge a dispute.

      • Euphemistic on 01/06/2024 - 17:17

        Promptness of response is a fair sign of scammers too. Ive had my share of scammers after advertising all manner of items, bit the are predominantly in the first couple of days.

  • doobey1231 on 31/05/2024 - 11:06
    +1

    I have bought a few cars this way. Its not necessarily a scam.

    Usually when its a scam they ask for your email and send you a fake transfer receipt. Ensure the money is in your account before engaging and don't release the car to the transit company until you have secured the funds in your account. To be extra safe make sure you have receipts and have everything done in writing. Its actually not that far fetched.

  • MS Paint on 31/05/2024 - 12:12
    +15

    I'm starting to think the potential scammers are actually kidnappers. OP hasn't logged on in nearly a day.

  • freekay on 31/05/2024 - 12:35
    +9

    Years ago I had my wife's old Yaris for sale on carsales. A guy calls up from Vic (I'm in Syd) and asks a few questions about the car and mentions that he used to work for Toyota and wants to buy the car for his son. Alarm bells are already going off—who the heck travels interstate for a Yaris?? But I play along and tell him I'll hold it for a deposit. Sure enough the deposit hits my account. And I wait for the inevitable call about "oh I made a mistake" or whatever—but it never comes. 4 days later, I get a call from the guy, asking if I can pick him up from the train station near my house so he can buy the Yaris. Dude paid the remainder in cash and drove the car back to Vic.

    Turns out he legitimately worked for Toyota, and wanted to buy the car for his son.

    • Herbse on 31/05/2024 - 20:05
      +4

      Sorry to say. But according to lots of people on here, you got scammed.

      Calling from a different state is an immediate red flag and wanting to buy a cheap car only confirms it.

      You never got the deposit or the cash. It was all a scam.

      Sorry for your loss.

      • freekay on 01/06/2024 - 11:18

        :`(

        • MattyD on 02/06/2024 - 12:36

          And also, would you be interested in buying this bridge off me 🤣

  • mikekiwimike on 31/05/2024 - 13:31

    I accepted a $500 deposit for a $10,500 caravan, they paid me and I held onto the caravan until they came with Cash one week later (I insisted on money showing in my account before they could take). Your situation seems like a scam as others have said, giving personal deets builds trust and that's what they are hoping for…… if the money is in your account and they pay the rest before taking the car then sweet - insist on cash at pickup ….. tell them that and they will likely disappear anyway

  • johnfuller on 31/05/2024 - 15:03
    +1

    its not always a scam, they might be paying a deposit and then taking it after its on a car carrier, i once sold a car like this, they paid a deposit and wouldn't pay the rest until car carrier company confirmed, so i made them pay before it was loaded onto the car carrier and i could see the funds in my account

  • dontboopthesnoot on 31/05/2024 - 15:30
    -1

    If your asking on here then its a scam

  • Willy Beamish on 31/05/2024 - 16:49
    -1

    scam

  • mrvaluepack on 31/05/2024 - 21:20
    -4

    Dont listen to others. Bsb account transfer is usually the safest. Payid is not.

    Ask for full payment, once transfer is complete, wait until clears and transfer it out or cash it out in atm. Then only proceed with vehicle transfer.

  • ass3ts on 31/05/2024 - 23:18

    TBH, I sold my Lamborghini Gallardo over a decade ago unseen by the buyer until the day he came from Melbourne to pick up the car with the full payment already in my account.

    • mrvaluepack on 01/06/2024 - 12:10
      +2

      Cool story, needs more dragons..

      • ass3ts on 01/06/2024 - 12:55

        It's a big world out there. Time to look up.

  • WorkingLowJam on 01/06/2024 - 00:15

    I sold my car a few years back sight unseen to some bloke interstate who transferred me 20 grand and had a tow truck pick it up. It took about 4 days for the money to clear and it was probably the most stressful 4 days of this guys life.

    Maybe speak to your bank about the situation and advice?

  • pembajak_sejati on 01/06/2024 - 02:54

    hey.. i want to buy a car.. can I dm you?

  • krisspy on 01/06/2024 - 12:40

    Never hand over until the cash clears your account.

    If they want to send a courier before it clears then ask for cash on deliver.

  • kaleidoscope on 01/06/2024 - 20:55

    It’s a scam… but hey, have some fun and waste alot of their time. Don’t pay the refund ofcourse. But you can fake a webpage to show you actually did 😂

  • nedski on 01/06/2024 - 22:05
    +1

    I was selling a 2007 Subaru Outback, manual in the ACT. I had someone from SA say they were flying over to buy it and didn't put any money down. Guy turned up on my doorstep, took it for a test drive and handed me the cash and drove it back to Adelaide.

    Reason he did this was he wanted to get his daughter an Outback and a manual transmission. Apparently manuals are becoming rarer. Even though I drive an EV now, that Outback was the most fun car I have ever driven. Got me from Hobart to Perth WA.

  • Mikinoz on 02/06/2024 - 09:46
    +2

    This was how I bought my last car, same state just a long drive for a car that wasn't roadworthy or drivable. Is a project car

    Verified the owner, paid deposit. Had a company pick up car and once sighted deposited remainder.

    Yes it does happen

    No I have no ties to royalty or Nigeria

    • Herbse on 02/06/2024 - 14:05
      -1

      Found the scammer

      • Mikinoz on 02/06/2024 - 14:56

        You got me, you selling a car?

        • Herbse on 02/06/2024 - 15:06
          +2

          Cash only. Which must be paid in full before you even meet me. I'll then hold onto the cash for 40 days to make sure it's real and not going to disintegrate on me after you've taken the vehicle. After 40 days, you can meet me inside Melbourne police headquarters with 100 points of valid Australian identification, you'll be met by myself, 12 witnesses and a chief justice of the supreme court, who will notarise the sale officially and lodge the sale with the ATO for complete verification.

          This are my terms for selling my 2001 daweoo lanos for $350.

          If you don't agree to it you can take your scams elsewhere!

          • MS Paint on 02/06/2024 - 15:20

            @Herbse: Sounds great. Which police station are we meeting at? St Kilda road?

          • Miss B on 03/06/2024 - 00:46

            @Herbse: Sounds like you're tricking them into marrying you.

            Don't agree to those terms, scammer, it's a trap.

  • drprox on 02/06/2024 - 14:48
    +1

    I have purchased a car for this much in exactly the same fashion.

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