Sounds like a Scam to me.

[Big Brunsy]

So I'm selling my car, and have it listed on craigslist with only my phone number for contact info. Someone text me today thru email or something as only an email address came up on my phone. They tell me they want my car with only asking one question about it. They also tell me they can only use PayPal to pay with as they are over seas and yada yada.

Once the money is in your paypal account, is there any way they can get it back from you?

[Travis64]

scam

[xLoGiK1]

Don't trust paypal man. Believe me. They do a charge back on their credit card and you're screwed.

[tjk_art]

there are PLENTY of ways.

He will most likely say he's in the army or such, and is having his "local pick up shipping" pick it up for him. You're left with no shipping fees, but no tracking info either . He will most CERTAINLY file an "unauthorized claim" where you're f*cked because you have no tracking info. Or he will file a charge back with his credit card company, which paypal has no say over, and the card company always sides with the card holder.

And if he has a stolen account, or credit card info, then the real owner will file these.

I've been using paypal for 4 years, and I had never been scammed. I thought once the money was in my bank account i was in the clear. WRONG. I lost $1300 selling a digital good to my supposed friend on a game for years.

I even closed the account after luckily winning the unauthorized claim, however, he then filed a charged back and my account is -$1300, even though i don't have it anymore. Still not sure if I'll have to pay it.

Anyone know what happens if I don't?

[Ladybugsmom]

Or, even worse, it's a scam to find out where you live, and kill you for the car... run away from that deal fast.... (our local news was just doing a piece on the conviction of a murderer who responded to an ad to get in a house and kill someone....)

[xLoGiK1]

Paypal will most likely take the funds out of your bank account automatically. paypal has your social security # and all your info. And it could possibly hurt your credit if you don't pay it back.

There are so many shady people in this world. It's a shame.

Originally Posted by tjk_art

there are PLENTY of ways.

He will most likely say he's in the army or such, and is having his "local pick up shipping" pick it up for him. You're left with no shipping fees, but no tracking info either . He will most CERTAINLY file an "unauthorized claim" where you're f*cked because you have no tracking info. Or he will file a charge back with his credit card company, which paypal has no say over, and the card company always sides with the card holder.

And if he has a stolen account, or credit card info, then the real owner will file these.

I've been using paypal for 4 years, and I had never been scammed. I thought once the money was in my bank account i was in the clear. WRONG. I lost $1300 selling a digital good to my supposed friend on a game for years.

I even closed the account after luckily winning the unauthorized claim, however, he then filed a charged back and my account is -$1300, even though i don't have it anymore. Still not sure if I'll have to pay it.

Anyone know what happens if I don't?

[tjk_art]

Originally Posted by xLoGiK1

Paypal will most likely take the funds out of your bank account automatically. paypal has your social security # and all your info. And it could possibly hurt your credit if you don't pay it back.

There are so many shady people in this world. It's a shame.

They actually told me they wouldn't take money off my card or bank account. The bank account and card were deleted and so was the account before he filed a chargeback. I'm worried about the credit score though.

[AGENT-006]

DONT DO IT!!! ANYTIME ANYONE SAYS BS ABOUT OVERSEAS ITS NO GOOD. esp if they have no interest..think bout what u wud ask or do if you were looking to buy a car..they'll make it seem worth ur while but its a scam.

and my credibility is personal experience with being scammed lol

[xLoGiK1]

Originally Posted by tjk_art

They actually told me they wouldn't take money off my card or bank account. The bank account and card were deleted and so was the account before he filed a chargeback. I'm worried about the credit score though.

Hmmm, your credit score could possibly take a hit here. Not 100% sure though

[AGENT-006]

even if your credit score does or does not take a hit..i doubt you would be able to get away without paying anything...pay pal may not take the money from you..but i guarantee your bank will not take that loss. Banks do not take losses for scams..they remove the money from the bank account owner..

[HookemHorns]

Local Pickup only
Cashiers Check or cash - check validated with issuing bank before releasing anything

[xLoGiK1]

Originally Posted by HookemHorns

Local Pickup only
Cashiers Check or cash - check validated with issuing bank before releasing anything

+1 this is the way to go when selling things. NEVER release the item/product until the check clears with your bank.

You rather be safe than sorry because now a days people can just order anything online with a credit card and do a charge back. In those cases, they end up keeping the item and get their money back. The seller can take it to small claims court but it's probably not worth the aggravation. It really is a shame that people resort to this type of crap. But hey, what goes around comes around.

[Dmerk]

Stay away!!

This is a known scam. I have sold many cars privately, and I can expect to certainly get a few of these mystery paypal offers every time. They typically offer asking or above asking price and a third party shipper is involved since they "live" overseas or work on an oil rig or such. I always google the email address (which will likely be different each time they reply) as well as the email body. You'll find you're not the only one being made these offers! Before meeting anyone I like to talk to them and get a feel for them on the phone, but that's just me. Local pick-up and cash only as well

Be careful, and good luck!

[tjk_art]

Originally Posted by AGENT-006

even if your credit score does or does not take a hit..i doubt you would be able to get away without paying anything...pay pal may not take the money from you..but i guarantee your bank will not take that loss. Banks do not take losses for scams..they remove the money from the bank account owner..

I was on the phone explaining the situation specifically asked "so what happens if I lose the claim, do you guys take money out of my bank account or off the credit card?" and a rep from paypal said "No sir, we would never do that to you. You would have to add funds to your account"

The bank has not taken a hit at all, I still have all the money.