Victim of Fraud ..OT

[akgem1]

As one last chance to get your money back, assuming the buyer was actually honest when promised to Wire Transfer you the money, I suggest you do this:

Go to a local bank where you don’t have an account yet, open a very basic checking account that can accept Wire Transfers, deposit minimum required balance (usually anywhere from $1 to $25), and send that account’s information to your buyer. The worst case scenario, if the buyer is really a bаstаrd “he” appears to be and try to clean up your account as well, you’ll be out of another $1-$25; on the other hand, “he” might actually come through and you’ll have your money back. That’s how I usually do it – I have a separate almost-empty bank account that I use for PayPal/eBay/any other Wire Transfers in and out ONLY. Nobody gets my real account information, period!

 

[MicheleP]

That I am NOT to take back the 828 !! Even though he has a wacky wife he has stuck with me through thick and thin for 31 years. Believe me, he put up with worse than this.

So even though I am very upset about all this at least I will still have a camera.

Things are tough right now. My mother is gravely ill, my MS is flaring up and money is tight. But he knows that my camera is so important to me and it does keep my spirits up.

I have a great husband.

--
Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

 

[Oleg Kikin]

There's a company Escrow.com that serves as a middleman in transactions like ebay. They make it abolutely safe for you. If you buy something - you pay to escrow and they hold the money until you receive the product, and only then they transfer the money.

read more on how it works here:

https://www.escrow.com/solutions/escrow/process.asp

---------------
http://s87486672.onlinehome.us

 

[koo22]

This is the main reason I NEVER ship overseas. I state this in all of my Ebay auctions. It's true you can still be a victim of fraud here at home, but I think it's more likely when dealing with these overseas "buyers". Sorry you had this experience, but glad it only cost you $41. K.

I sold my 717 on Ebay, the money was deposited in my PayPal
account. Yesterday I transfered the money to my bank, then off I
went to the Post Office and shipped the camera to Russia (being a
nice person, I obliged the buyer who "paid" the shipping).

Well about two hours later I get an email from PayPal that the
funds were reversed because I was possibly a victim of fraud.
Today PayPal confirmed that it was fraud.

Many emails back and forth to the buyer who claimed it was a PayPal
screw up, finally she said she would do a wire transfer into my
bank !! I don't think so !! I was dumb beyond dumb to ship the
camera before it cleared my bank, but I thought "oh it is in PayPal
so it is OK".

I called the PostOffice and was able to stop it from being shipped
from JFK. So I am only out $41 for the original shipping and
insurance.

Lesson learned at the price of raw nerves and $41.

--
Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

--
Galleries: http://www.koo22photos.com/-/koo22photos/default.asp

 

[Michael B68227]

I only sell to usa . then you are protected.

I sold my 717 on Ebay, the money was deposited in my PayPal
account. Yesterday I transfered the money to my bank, then off I
went to the Post Office and shipped the camera to Russia (being a
nice person, I obliged the buyer who "paid" the shipping).

Well about two hours later I get an email from PayPal that the
funds were reversed because I was possibly a victim of fraud.
Today PayPal confirmed that it was fraud.

Many emails back and forth to the buyer who claimed it was a PayPal
screw up, finally she said she would do a wire transfer into my
bank !! I don't think so !! I was dumb beyond dumb to ship the
camera before it cleared my bank, but I thought "oh it is in PayPal
so it is OK".

I called the PostOffice and was able to stop it from being shipped
from JFK. So I am only out $41 for the original shipping and
insurance.

Lesson learned at the price of raw nerves and $41.

--
Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

--
Michael

Minolta Dimage A1, Sony DSC-F717, Minolta Dimage 7HI(Selling), Sony DSC-P71(Gave to Parents), Sony DSC-F707(Sold), Nikon Coolpix 775(Sold), Kodak DC290(Sold).

 

[MicheleP]

Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

 

[MicheleP]

OK emailed the buyer and asked if he still wanted to wire transfer. He emailed me right back saying sure, send me your bank info. Now I have an almost empty account ($7.00), is this really safe to do ??

Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

 

[akgem1]

OK emailed the buyer and asked if he still wanted to wire transfer.
He emailed me right back saying sure, send me your bank info. Now
I have an almost empty account ($7.00), is this really safe to do ??

Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

Well, it should work, but.... They will have your account info from now on... If you're planning on having any "serious" amount of money there in the future, I wouldn't do it. You can give "him" this account info, then keep it as your "just in case" account and do yourself a favor and open a new account for your day-to-day banking.

 

[Lori Marquette]

--
Lori Marquette
http://users.psln.com/sharing/Marquette/Photography.html

 

[MicheleP]

This is not my main account. I have another joint account with my mother, who is in a Nursing Home. I called my bank and they said this should be safe. Once the money clears I will transfer it into my primary account.

Keep your fingers crossed.

--
Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

 

[Jamie154594]

You brought a smile to my face when I read your post.

I am glad!

How nice of
you to say that. I hope you win and not because of what you said
about me, but because you deserve to win !!

Well, the draw is on Friday, and I have three numbers.

Jamie

 

[TheFaithman]

But I'm planning on winning the $20,000,000.00 (Canadian).

If it's any consolation........................... I'll outfit ya both

Thefaithman

You brought a smile to my face when I read your post.

I am glad!

How nice of
you to say that. I hope you win and not because of what you said
about me, but because you deserve to win !!

Well, the draw is on Friday, and I have three numbers.

Jamie

 

[benn61]

So far,after 100 transactions, my experience with ebay and paypal were fine.Still worry about them having my Credit Card and Bank account number..Good idea to have a card with a low max...From what i hear could take a long time to get your money back if they make a mistake......
So far So Good for me..I Only Buy and sell to USA and Canada..
Good Luck..
http://murphy.smugmug.com

I sold my 717 on Ebay, the money was deposited in my PayPal
account. Yesterday I transfered the money to my bank, then off I
went to the Post Office and shipped the camera to Russia (being a
nice person, I obliged the buyer who "paid" the shipping).

Well about two hours later I get an email from PayPal that the
funds were reversed because I was possibly a victim of fraud.
Today PayPal confirmed that it was fraud.

Many emails back and forth to the buyer who claimed it was a PayPal
screw up, finally she said she would do a wire transfer into my
bank !! I don't think so !! I was dumb beyond dumb to ship the
camera before it cleared my bank, but I thought "oh it is in PayPal
so it is OK".

I called the PostOffice and was able to stop it from being shipped
from JFK. So I am only out $41 for the original shipping and
insurance.

Lesson learned at the price of raw nerves and $41.

--
Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

--
Michael

Minolta Dimage A1, Sony DSC-F717, Minolta Dimage 7HI(Selling), Sony
DSC-P71(Gave to Parents), Sony DSC-F707(Sold), Nikon Coolpix
775(Sold), Kodak DC290(Sold).

--
http://murphy.smugmug.com

 

[Doug Mc]

My wife is a big e-bay user. Not me. When she wants to buy something from someone that will "only ship to the USA" she e-mails them with a little sweet talk and they generally agree to ship to Canada. Can't see the difference risk-wise to the seller really... Another thing... postal money orders are dead easy. Buy 'em at any Canadian post office in US dollars, send 'em, recipient walks into any US post office, gets cash for them with no administration fee like a bank would charge you for a MO. Simple. Oddly enough some folks still won't even consider using anything but paypal. Go figure.

Some very valuable information in this thread though. I thank all those for sharing their experiences. Cheers.

I only sell to usa . then you are protected.

--
Keen to learn from some of the amazing photo folks here in the forums.

 

[Loren3]

Because Michele was willing to share this story, I've learned a very valuable lesson.

I challenge the users of this forum, many good people, to step up and send Michele a little bit of money to help her keep her 828.

Michele- if it is secure to do so, can you post your PayPal info so that I can send you a donation? Otherwise you can email to me: lorennerol(at)aol.com.

Best regards-

Loren

 

[SJN2004]

Michele, the camera will get stopped by customs in Russia and they will want the receiver to pay duty/tax. Maybe you have a chance to stop it while its held up there.

On another point, you sent it by USpostal? Can you find out who the carrier is once it arrives in Russia. Maybe you can contact the local courier and stop it that way.

good luck

I sold my 717 on Ebay, the money was deposited in my PayPal
account. Yesterday I transfered the money to my bank, then off I
went to the Post Office and shipped the camera to Russia (being a
nice person, I obliged the buyer who "paid" the shipping).

Well about two hours later I get an email from PayPal that the
funds were reversed because I was possibly a victim of fraud.
Today PayPal confirmed that it was fraud.

Many emails back and forth to the buyer who claimed it was a PayPal
screw up, finally she said she would do a wire transfer into my
bank !! I don't think so !! I was dumb beyond dumb to ship the
camera before it cleared my bank, but I thought "oh it is in PayPal
so it is OK".

I called the PostOffice and was able to stop it from being shipped
from JFK. So I am only out $41 for the original shipping and
insurance.

Lesson learned at the price of raw nerves and $41.

--
Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

--
http://www.pbase.com/sjn2003

 

[todds]

OK emailed the buyer and asked if he still wanted to wire transfer.
He emailed me right back saying sure, send me your bank info. Now
I have an almost empty account ($7.00), is this really safe to do ??

Why bother dealing with this person.
Sell to the number 2 bidder. Is number 1 really much higher than number 2?

Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

--
http://www.tdsphoto.com

 

[tcp1]

Michele,

I would highly recommend AGAINST doing this. Please remember, their first payment did NOT clear; they are using a strange account (verified address in NY, but person is in Russia) that is probably stolen!

A LARGE percentage of EBay fraud comes from russia. You do NOT want your checking account info there. Even with no money in it, they can try to pass false checks as you -- and your bank reports can get dinged, and you may be out overdraft charges until the whole issue gets resolved.

Actually, some banks may not refund you the all the charges -- because you gave this person your account of your own free will AFTER you had indications of fraud.

I really am not trying to insult you here, but as a previous victim of identity theft (if you're interested, I can tell you my story), you are being REALLY naive here and you are setting yourself up to get hurt.

This person breached a contract with you once already - you have NO OBLIGATION TO SELL TO HIM OR HER ANY LONGER. Please, for your own sake and for all of ours in trying to discourage this kind of activity, just forget this person in russia and sell to someone locally.

You sound like a genuine person and you don't deserve to get hurt; but I'm telling you, from what little I've heard, I would not trust this person in Russia at all.

This is not my main account. I have another joint account with my
mother, who is in a Nursing Home. I called my bank and they said
this should be safe. Once the money clears I will transfer it into
my primary account.

Keep your fingers crossed.

--
Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

 

[akgem1]

Why bother dealing with this person.
Sell to the number 2 bidder. Is number 1 really much higher than
number 2?

It's kind of hard selling something you don't have to bidder #2...

 

[Jose Noway]

... and yay for Michele's hubby. Sometimes it's the "little" things that are the most important.

Nancy

---------

That I am NOT to take back the 828 !! Even though he has a wacky
wife he has stuck with me through thick and thin for 31 years.
Believe me, he put up with worse than this.

So even though I am very upset about all this at least I will still
have a camera.

Things are tough right now. My mother is gravely ill, my MS is
flaring up and money is tight. But he knows that my camera is so
important to me and it does keep my spirits up.

I have a great husband.

--
Michele
http://lorcaphotography.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/michelep

--
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