posted on April 8, 2003 10:00:26 PM new
I sold an item to a buyer who had 85 positives, with no negatives or neutrals. He paid on time via PayPal, and his payment went through just fine (as far as I knew). Two weeks later, I get an email from PayPal saying "We regret to inform you that you received funds from an account with reports of fraudulent bank account use. The following transaction involving unauthorized funds has been reversed."
I immediately emailed the buyer and asked him what was up. I didn't hear from him that day, but instead I got an email from ANOTHER seller (a Power Seller), saying that this buyer did the same thing to him, and he wanted to know if he did the same thing to me. He said he was just trying to gather information. I didn't answer him back, because I thought it was VERY ODD that this seller even knew about my auction. I didn't leave any feedback for the buyer yet, and he didn't leave any for me, so I don't think there is any way that the seller could have known about this auction that ended a couple weeks ago. On top of that, I was beginning to think that maybe this seller was actually the buyer! (You know how some sellers have a separate account just to buy stuff).
Anyway, to make a long story short, today I get an email from the fraudulent buyer, saying "As stated before, I will resent payment by a friends paypal account. This will be done on Thurs. April 10."
I emailed him back and said "what do you mean, as stated before? I never got an email from you regarding this". In addition, I told him that I want a Money Order for this since that is the only sure thing.
So what should I do?? If he sends money to me via PayPal again, should I refund it and tell him that I will not accept his PayPal payment again, for fear that the funds might be reversed again?
The other strange thing is, I find it hard to believe that NO ONE else has left a negative for him! I'm sure he's done this to other people. If the Power Seller that emailed me said he did it to him, then why didn't that Power Seller neg him?
Unfortunately I already sent the item to him so I can't get my item back. What should I do? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
posted on April 8, 2003 10:08:27 PM new
Do you state in your Auction or TOS that you leave feedback when payment is received? He might only be bidding on auctions that say this.
He orders, fraudulently pays, gets his item and instant feedback and zap- there's nothing you can do about it when the inevitable chargeback occurs.
So long as he only buys from people who leave feedback first, he'll never get a neg.
You are right to insist on a money order. Bidpay would be even better. No point in playing with Paypal the second time through.
posted on April 8, 2003 10:12:04 PM new
No, I did not leave feedback for him yet. I never leave feedback for a buyer until they leave feedback for me first. That is why I was wondering how that other seller even knew about my auction with this fraudulent buyer. There would be no way he could find it unless I had left feedback for the buyer or vice versa.
posted on April 8, 2003 10:46:31 PM new
For the other seller to find anything that the buyer bought within the last 30 days, all he has to do is search by bidder and include closed items.
posted on April 8, 2003 11:26:40 PM new
sapington is right - it is easy to find all the auctions a buyer has won or is bidding on with a "buyer" search (make sure you check "completed items"
posted on April 9, 2003 05:23:01 AM new
Having been subjected to identity theft myself, there is a chance that the buyer had to close down his bank account or credit card account quickly and cancel all transactions, but he may well be a thief.
If he sends payment via another Paypal account, I would have accepted it since you already sent the item. Better that than he not pay at all. Not enough data to tell yet whether he's trying to rip you off.
Thanks.
I believe in a quote I read once or twice:
A being is only as valuable as he can serve others.
Some would take that to mean to be a doormat. No, I'm no Ghandi. I just care for my fellows and contribute where I can.
And yes, I answered the question in the other thread. I've been off in other activites and didn't see it until a moment ago. I hope it came out okay for you.
