Buyer scam?

[rk3934]

Yesterday I had a buyer who lived 2 hours from my house purchase a local pick up only item for $50.  Payment was made through PayPal (though has yet to clear into my account). 

I provided my address and we discussed a suitable time for collection - she said she would drive down with a trailer today.  This discussion involved me revealing that I would not be home at a certain time of the day. 

About an hour after we had made these arrangements, she sent me another text to say that her daughter had decided she didn't want the item afterall and they would therefore not bother collecting it - but I should keep the $50 for the inconvenience!!  I indicated that was a shame, but would not feel comfortable keeping the money and would investigate how to arrange a refund (I still intend to do this once I see it actually clear into our account) before relisting the item. 

My concern is that this might simply be a scam to determine what time an address will be vacant at which point they can come and burgle the house! 

I have checked the buyer's eBay profile and it seems legitimate (positve comments from past 18 months), but is it possible this could simply have been 'manufactured' to allow them to carry out such scams?  I hope I'm just being paranoid - it seems like a lot of effort to go to and leaves quite an easy trail to follow (unless they've established a false identity, which again seems elaborate). 

Appreciate if anyone knows of any previous instances of such a buyer scam and if so, what to do about it?! 

Thanks.

[clarry100]

Hard to say.

But just arrange for you or someone to be home at the times you disclosed you would not be.

That way if they do turn up then a quick call to police should sort them out.

[craycrayshoelady]

That's a bit of a long stretch. I'm assuming this is about the bed? From what I can see you've mostly sold old furniture. I don't think this is a high risk situation where you have targeted yourself for a robbery. 

I would be more concerned if you were selling things like jewellery or electronics. Small things, of high value. Things that a burgular would actually be interested in. 

[zelly888]

How do you know that OP hasn't got all these other items you mentioned in their home as most people do have valueable items in their homes that's why there are burgulars around.

[zelly888]

You say you were paid into your PayPal account and it hasn't cleared? unless it's an e-cheque then the payment will be in your account instantly.

[craycrayshoelady]

That's a fantastic interpretation of what I said. It's wrong however.

I said " I don't think this is a high risk situation where you have targeted yourself for a robbery. " purely because in her photos there is nothing of quick, easy resale value. I have worked with offenders in the past and this is not a familiar target or method of a B&E.

It is a more likely scenario if they were serious about B&Eing this home, they would have come and picked up the bed, scoped the premises from the inside for entry points, floor plan, easy to grab items and where the bedrooms are.

But hey, experience and knowledge mean nothing right?

To the OP - All I can suggest is that if you're worrying and playing out scenarios in your head about an impending B&E, protect yourself. Get alarms. Ensure your windows all have dowel in them. Keep your pets inside. And hide your valuables to the best of your ability.

[5kazam]

Personally, I would advise the police.  At least that way if anything did happen, the police would be aware of exactly where the culprit lived, and they could even be waiting for her when she finished her two hour drive.  

I'm not suggesting anything will happen, but at least your call will be on their records.

[rk3934]

Thanks for all your replies. 

There was no robbery, I'm pleased to say. 🙂

Have had no further response from the buyer though, including to my request to cancel the transaction so that I can relist the item.  I'll just have to cancel it once the 7 days is up.  Payment came into PayPal, and once I've been able to cancel the item okay, I'll initiate a refund.  Don't feel right about keeping money when they didn't end up collecting the item. 

Cheers!

K

[dazzledayz]

Doesn't sound like a scam to me.
If they paid using PayPal there's a money trail that leads straight back to their bank account and identity.

[lyndal1838]

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@rk3934 wrote:

Thanks for all your replies. 

There was no robbery, I'm pleased to say. 🙂

Have had no further response from the buyer though, including to my request to cancel the transaction so that I can relist the item.  I'll just have to cancel it once the 7 days is up.  Payment came into PayPal, and once I've been able to cancel the item okay, I'll initiate a refund.  Don't feel right about keeping money when they didn't end up collecting the item. 

Cheers!

K

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You will have to refund before you can cancel the sale.