Venting - attempted scam for my lens

[blackwave]

I know lots of people have seen this before, but I hadn't experienced an attempted outright scam before (aside from phishing emails, etc.)

I put a lens for my Bronica GS-1 up for sale in a couple places around the web and got a typical response asking about shipping and expressing interest. We settled on the total and I told him I'd ship FedEx with signature confirmation and Paypal only.

The next day I got an email from "Paypal" saying the payment had been made and it was in escrow until the lens has been shipped. Obvious scam. I also got a separate email from him saying the payment has been sent and gave me his home address in Georgia.

I'm halfway tempted to ship him one of my baby's used diapers or something It's just frustrating that people go this low. It's not a high priced item or anything. Bah.. [forestgump] that's all I have to say about that [/forestgump]

[Steve M.]

Yes, you absolutely should ship the diapers. Great idea. Thanks for posting this. Haven't heard of this scam before. This is why you should only ship to a Paypal Confirmed Address.

[sanmich]

Just to be sure I understand the scam:
Paypal shouldn't send any email?
or should I always check the payment in my account?

The diaper is a great idea.

[uhligfd]

I just had a request for paypal information from someone whose email looked deceivingly good, except it came from pavpal.com.

Haha ...

[blackwave]

Originally Posted by sanmich

Just to be sure I understand the scam:
Paypal shouldn't send any email?
or should I always check the payment in my account?

The diaper is a great idea.

The funds come in right away and show in the paypal account. He was trying to get me to ship the lens without the money actually hitting my account by sending a fake email saying the money is confirmed.

[Oscar Levant]

Unless it's an eBay transaction, PayPal gives you NO protection, confirmed address, address on the moon or whatever.

PayPal is the least safe payment method for the seller there is. And on eBay, you need signature confirmation to be protected plus confirmed address for anything over $250.

You have to be a fool to accept PayPal for online classified-type deals. Wire transfer, Money Order, Western Union is best for you as the SELLER.

[Oscar Levant]

The buyer can claim ANYTHING, such as "you shipped him an empty box", and PayPal will immediately refund him, yank the money out of your account.

And if you think you're clever, immediately transferring it to your bank account when the money comes into your PayPal account, you are not. PayPal can take it back from your bank account.

You're living in a fool's paradise if you think ANY PayPal transaction is "safe".

Originally Posted by blackwave

The funds come in right away and show in the paypal account. He was trying to get me to ship the lens without the money actually hitting my account by sending a fake email saying the money is confirmed.

[blackwave]

Originally Posted by Oscar Levant

Unless it's an eBay transaction, PayPal gives you NO protection, confirmed address, address on the moon or whatever.

PayPal is the least safe payment method for the seller there is. And on eBay, you need signature confirmation to be protected plus confirmed address for anything over $250.

You have to be a fool to accept PayPal for online classified-type deals. Wire transfer, Money Order, Western Union is best for you as the SELLER.

I regularly use Paypal for these types of transactions. If I wait for actual payment to get to my account then what's the danger? Am I overlooking something important? Thanks for your thoughts.

[Oscar Levant]

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=paypal+seller+problems

[Ducky]

I have sold items using paypal and got emails from them saying the funds had been paid but were being held. However, the money was actually showing in my account but with a pending notice. I think it had to do with my low # of transactions even though feedback was 100%. Of course, this was on ebay.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by Double Negative

Ship the diapers and a rock (for addtl. weight) for sure!

If you do this, please be sure to remove the baby first!

[blackwave]

Originally Posted by Gumby

If you do this, please be sure to remove the baby first!

Oh come on now.. be realistic. I don't have a box big enough!

[bob338]

scammers are here...
i've gotten 5 emails from a 0 post member that joined on sunday about buying my V1 summicron. in broken english he says how excited he is to find one in chrome as the black ones are so common!

bob

[Oscar Levant]

You're absolutely correct. You can maintain a non-linked account, but PayPal will not only freeze your PayPal account if there's a problem, they'll wreck your credit report.

Also, if someone else sends you money via PayPal, they can keep that money until they get their balance back.

However, you don't avoid that issue, you avoid that problem.

Originally Posted by nikonhswebmaster

You can avoid that problem, I have a separate Paypal bank account, and can limit the funds in that account, I can transfer funds into and out of that account, but of course paypal cannot (unless they hack my bank, which I have the sense they would love to do.) Of course they can still cause a lot of pain, if they cannot get "their" money back they will freeze your PP account.

[Beemermark]

Postal Money Orders. Any post office will cash them. Any scam is a federal offense. Relatively cheap compared to Western Union, etc.

[FrankS]

Lookie at the email I just got a couple of minutes ago:

Re: Reply to your "Plaubel Makina" Ad on Kijiji‏
From: Leo Martin (leoomartin@yahoo.ca)
Sent: July 21, 2009 6:08:18 AM
To: frank s


I believe you and I trust your words, actually I am currently in Military Camp Out of the State but I will also like to speed up this transaction because my Cousin birthday is at hand and I want the item reach it's destination as a gift. My Cosine is currently study abroad, Due to high cost of shipment through Canada Post (1-2weeks post) to Lagos - Nigeria, I will offer you $1,490 to cover both item and shipping expenses.

Moreso, since I was screwed before I prefer payment terms to go through PayPal so as to protect both buyer and seller. Get back to me with your PAYPAL email for immediate payment and if you are not PayPal user, you can set up one in few minute through PayPal website.

I await your urgent response soonest.
Thanks

Do ya' think it's legit?

[Trius]

Originally Posted by FrankS

Lookie at the email I just got a couple of minutes ago:

Re: Reply to your "Plaubel Makina" Ad on Kijiji‏
From: Leo Martin (leoomartin@yahoo.ca)
Sent: July 21, 2009 6:08:18 AM
To: frank s


I believe you and I trust your words, actually I am currently in Military Camp Out of the State but I will also like to speed up this transaction because my Cousin birthday is at hand and I want the item reach it's destination as a gift. My Cosine is currently study abroad, Due to high cost of shipment through Canada Post (1-2weeks post) to Lagos - Nigeria, I will offer you $1,490 to cover both item and shipping expenses.

Moreso, since I was screwed before I prefer payment terms to go through PayPal so as to protect both buyer and seller. Get back to me with your PAYPAL email for immediate payment and if you are not PayPal user, you can set up one in few minute through PayPal website.

I await your urgent response soonest.
Thanks

Do ya' think it's legit?

Well, I can assure you it's not John in Nigeria ... he was in London ON as of Sunday.

[notturtle]

Originally Posted by FrankS

Lookie at the email I just got a couple of minutes ago:

Re: Reply to your "Plaubel Makina" Ad on Kijiji‏
From: Leo Martin (leoomartin@yahoo.ca)
Sent: July 21, 2009 6:08:18 AM
To: frank s


I believe you and I trust your words, actually I am currently in Military Camp Out of the State but I will also like to speed up this transaction because my Cousin birthday is at hand and I want the item reach it's destination as a gift. My Cosine is currently study abroad, Due to high cost of shipment through Canada Post (1-2weeks post) to Lagos - Nigeria, I will offer you $1,490 to cover both item and shipping expenses.

Moreso, since I was screwed before I prefer payment terms to go through PayPal so as to protect both buyer and seller. Get back to me with your PAYPAL email for immediate payment and if you are not PayPal user, you can set up one in few minute through PayPal website.

I await your urgent response soonest.
Thanks

Do ya' think it's legit?

Errrr, let me think, errrr, errrrr, hmmm, mm, errrr NOOOOOOOOOO

Please include hand grenade with pin attached to top of box along with the diaper.

[Thardy]

Originally Posted by Oscar Levant

You're absolutely correct. You can maintain a non-linked account, but PayPal will not only freeze your PayPal account if there's a problem, they'll wreck your credit report.

Also, if someone else sends you money via PayPal, they can keep that money until they get their balance back.

However, you don't avoid that issue, you avoid that problem.

So there is a chance I might get my money back from that dirt bag seller who wouldn't answer emails about the bent up camera he sent me until I "escalated" my paypal dispute into a claim.

Just basically ignored any communication for a whole week after many emails, then communicated 2 hours after I put in the claim.

[Kevin]

Yes. Now a paypal rep will review your claim.

If they decide in your favour you will receive an email from paypal that looks something like this:

We have determined that you are entitled to a refund for this transaction.
To receive your refund, you must follow these steps:

1) Return - Return the item to the Seller at the following address:

XXX

2) Online Tracking - Ship the item to the Seller using any shipping
service that provides tracking that is viewable online, such as those
offered by UPS, FedEx, or DHL
3) Online Proof of Delivery - For transactions equal to $250.00 or more in
value, obtain online proof-of-delivery from the shipping service in the
form of a signature from the recipient.
4) Provide Info - Provide PayPal with your shipping information within 10
days of receiving this email. Please note, if you do not provide the
shipping information within this timeframe, your claim will be denied and
you will not receive a refund
5) Cost of Shipping - You are responsible for paying the shipping costs to
return the item to the seller

To provide your shipping information, please complete the following:

1) Log in to your PayPal account
2) Go to the Resolution Center page and select Open Cases from the
drop-down menu
3) Find the transaction or claim in question and click "Respond" in the
Action column
4) Choose "Provide Tracking Information"
5) Enter the tracking number and shipping company in the appropriate
fields
6) Click "Submit Tracking Info"

Once we confirm your shipping information, we will credit your PayPal
account. Please note that your refund amount is based on the Protection
Coverage listed on the Auction and could be less than the original
transaction amount.

[Lilserenity]

Google P-p-powerbook

Nuff said

[blackwave]

This stuff makes my head hurt and makes me not want to buy and sell! I usually go through here or APUG for most camera stuff, but I don't think a lot of people use the GS-1 so I expanded my options.

It makes me value a smallish community like this site.

[Thardy]

Originally Posted by Lilserenity

Google P-p-powerbook

Nuff said

That was brilliant.

[DougFord]

Perhaps this forum needs a few members that are located in the Georgia area to pay your new friend a little visit. Have a little sit down, a friendly face to face chat. It’s fun making new friends. I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding. Yeah, that’s it, just a misunderstanding.

[Rayt]

I had a similar experience last year. I had placed some photo gear for sale and worked out a deal with the buyer. I then got an official looking e-mail from Paypal saying I got funds and also another e-mail from the buyer saying funds were transferred. But when I logged into my Paypal account I didn't see the funds so I e-mailed the buyer. His reply was that the transfer was from his checking account and Paypal is waiting for it to clear so that was why I didn't see the Paypal deposit. I thought that was weird so I told him I'll wait for it to clear before sending the gear. Of course I never heard from him again.