Thetownend.com

Before I start, I know this is a scam and no I was not caught out but I was intrigued by something.

So I'm selling a phone on Gumtree and I receive a text from a Canadian area code saying "Hi is the phone still available? Kindly email my mom directly on [email protected] for further conversation.

The text rang alarm bells straight away but I thought I would humor them and email said mum.

Here is the reply...

Hello,
Thanks for getting back to me asap, How are you doing? I am Morency Jane by Name I am From UK i am buying this item for my cousin who
is currently studying in Doncaster as a Birthday gift  i would prefer to
pay for this item via Bank Transfer or PayPal  i want you to make
inquire with the shipment cost through post office, Royalmail to my Daughter
address below..

[Address removed]


Send Me Your PayPal Details Like This Below to send the Payment..

Bank Name
Account Name
Phone Number
Item Name
All Total Cost

OR

PayPal email Address
Full Name
All Total Cost
Phone Number
Item Name

I will be expecting your mail back.


What was strange is that they were offering payment via bank transfer. If I had sent them my account number and sort code (I haven't) what damage could they actually do?

I know Jeremy Clarkson a while back posted his details on the internet to test the theory and although no one got any money from him, someone did manage to set up a £500 monthly payment to a charity. But if that was a real scammer, what gain is that to them.

Just curious.

Thats a scam. I had about 5 messages along similar lines when I was trying to sell a sofa - ‘people’ looking to buy it for their cousin, all worded the same

I know its a scam, I was just curious as to what damage they could do with my account number and sort code.

I don’t think Dave read your whole post  :D

You mean the first line?

100% scam.

I think Chubbs is really enquiring as to how the scam works.

:D
It’s a scam.

It’s definitley a scam

Might even be a scamolaaa

Looks legit!

That information, on it's own, can't really be used for anything. My guess is they harvest as much information as possible and then follow up months later with a phone call pretending to be from your bank. Using the little data they have they can probably convince you the call is legit.

Here's an example:

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/money/sophisticated-cheque-scam/

You don’t get the favourite Nigerian wanting you help offload his millions scam any more.

Second hand cars are always a favourite. Advertise a very sexy car at an unbeleivably low price, then get told how there has been so much interest you have to pay a ‘holding deposit’ to ensure you get the car.

Luckily my holiday villa scam actually turned out legit - it just sounded dodgy.

In my reply to them i actually applauded them for being creative and not using the age old Nigerian prince scam.

Tannsscam? 😂

This,  details can be used to pay into your account,  but without passwords money cannot be withdrawn.   Think about it logically,  all this information is printed on every cheque you write (assuming you still use them).
As already said, its probably information they may use when trying to convince you they are your bank at a later date.
As banks tell you - JUST DON'T GIVE ANYONE YOUR PASSWORD- Tell them to fuck off.

Fairly common scam. They send the money, you send the item, the PayPal or bank transaction then gets reversed a few days later when they realise someone had their account compromised.

Scam Number 2 of the day.

Buyer: What's your best price for the iPhone.
Me: £75 final
Buyer: I can send you £93 to cover the cost of shipping and paypal fees
*alarm bells* but i'll go along with it.
Me: Yeah sure, deal. here's my PayPal  info to send payment. Let me know when its done.
Buyer: OK its done, I have sent payment blah blah blah.
Me: I can't see anything in my account yet....
Buyer: I have confirmed payment has been sent, please check your emails and junk blah blah.

At this point I check my emails to get the worse excuse of email from "PayPal" saying £318 has been transferred into my account. Its like they don't even try anymore.

Me: Oh yes, I see payment, but it appears you have sent me £318.
Buyer: Sorry, that was a mistake, please immediately transfer back £235 to my paypal (he's even trying to con me out of another £10) No shame.

If I wasn't so busy I'd have played a little but I just told him to fuck off in the end.

Hadn't heard of that one before Chubbs,  thanks for warning us.  Bet a few will have fallen for it.