Scammed on Gumtree for $2000

elequent on 11/04/2018 - 20:00
Last edited 12/04/2018 - 19:22

Hi,

I have recently sold a $2000 JB Hi-Fi gift card to some person on Gumtree. He sent me the transaction receipt to me via SMS, and I sent them the gift card immediately.

I did not received funds after two days, and could not reach this guy via phone number anymore, and the number has been cancelled.
I have just called the Bendigo bank and apparently the account number on the receipt is a fake one.

I will try to ask JBHIFI to trace the use of gift card and see what happened, and then reach to the police.

I would appreciate very much if you guys could offer me any help.

Cheers.

Edit: Thank you all for the response and help. I have sent an email to JB about this situation, and hope they could at least provide me with the information of this guy. I went the local police, and apparently this was out of their normal job range. I have lodged the case to ACORN. However, since I only have his FAKE number, and maybe FAKE identity linked to this number, I am not sure how much I could get from them.

Anyway, a very painful lesson. Turn the page and move on.

Edit: JB refused to do anything for stolen cards, and they required police investigation to provide the information of the card user. I have got an email from ACORN asking me to provide the address of the person, which I do not have, so I submitted another case with his phone number. I could not find anywhere to upload any image evidence?

General Discussion

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Comments

  • PissLUR on 11/04/2018 - 20:08
    +20

    Who do I contact if I have a problem with my gift card or if it's been lost/stolen?

    For general gift card queries, please contact Vii directly by phone/email via their website: www.vii.com.au

    If your gift card is lost or stolen, please contact JB Hi-Fi's Support Team.
    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/General/Contact-Us/

  • Nutrino on 11/04/2018 - 20:08
    +239

    Not being mean, but, come on dude. Oldest trick in the book as they say. You need to read the OzBargain forums more.

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 11/04/2018 - 21:19
      +52

      Hmmm. You selling this book of tricks by any chance? I'll take it off your hands for $100. Just give me your bank details.

      • Baysew on 12/04/2018 - 13:26
        +30

        No need to buy it. The little black book of scams

        • gromit on 12/04/2018 - 14:45
          +14

          Was about to post the same thing. I got sick of my Parents and Sister falling for a lot of this stuff that seems obvious to most of us so I got them sent that book.

          Rule number 1 as a seller, doesn't matter what site or method or item you are selling, until the money is confirmed in your account don't release the goods you have for sale no matter how nice, polite or honest the buyer appears to be or what receipts or screen shots they show of the transaction, the only thing that counts is the money in your possession.

        • Agret on 13/04/2018 - 23:58
          +1

          @gromit: Worst part is even if you get the money on PayPal and withdraw it to your bank account the sender can do a credit card chargeback and then PayPal expect you to pay them back the money plus a chargeback fee

        • eggboi on 14/04/2018 - 00:57

          @Agret: a message to the FOS will solve that. Banks can refund their customers from their own pocket, but they can’t take your money unless they have solid evidence you are a fraudster.

        • Agret on 15/04/2018 - 18:59

          @bohdud: PayPal can't take your money back by force but if you can't use PayPal anymore because you have a -$2050 balance then it limits your options while buying online. Not everywhere offers alternatives like Google Wallet / Amazon.

        • follow on 18/04/2018 - 00:19

          @Agret: pay using mastercard/visa?

      • Jugganautx on 12/04/2018 - 17:02
        +9

        The books called common sense

    • ronnknee on 11/04/2018 - 21:56
      +36

      It hasn't even been a month yet and OP falls for the same scam that was posted here.

      I Think I Might Have Been Scammed Selling Ed Sheeran Concert Tickets.

      • PopCounty on 12/04/2018 - 08:12
        +17

        I guess he’s the one WHO does scams and comes here as victim to understand what worst couldn happen to him. Based on fellas notes.

        • h4zey on 12/04/2018 - 09:10
          +6

          you forgot #plot twist

        • corbin on 12/04/2018 - 19:32
          +6

          the scam is posting fake stories on ozbargain, and based on the number of replies here, plenty of people fall for it.

      • Laziofogna on 13/04/2018 - 20:34

        Trolls?

    • Scrooge McDuck on 12/04/2018 - 10:13
      +24

      How the opening sentence should've read:

      I have recently given away a $2000 JB Hi-Fi gift card to some person on Gumtree.

      • dealman on 12/04/2018 - 15:16
        +11

        Fake post, trolling all the way.

        Who keeps a 2000 dollar gift card anyway?

        @havigotcha

        No not really faker!

        • Wallyt99 on 12/04/2018 - 22:10
          +2

          Definately fake. Crime is Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception. It's definitely a police matter.

        • MementoMori on 13/04/2018 - 10:17
          +10

          @Wallyt99: Police are too busy monitoring hurt feelings on social media

        • freakatronic on 13/04/2018 - 15:03

          @domcc1: If you hurt their feelings they'll black bag you.

      • SKiZO on 12/04/2018 - 17:30

        That's how I read it. OP is a humanitarian.

    • JoJoker on 14/04/2018 - 10:09

      I received funds via PayPal for an eBay sale of a gift card. I messaged the buyer and asked if they wanted it via email or post. They replied email was fine so I sent it across. 2 minutes later I get another message "OMG my account was hacked I didn't buy this!! Going to contact ebay to cancel!1". So yeah, until the cash in your hand don't send egift cards.

      I immediately registered the gift card to my account so they didn't get it but still.

  • No Username on 11/04/2018 - 20:10
    +9

    Why would you sell it on Gumtree? Just why?

    • GregMonarch on 12/04/2018 - 02:34
      +35

      It's not the venue that's the problem, it's the method of payment. In fact there are scams on ebay that if you're targeted, no-one can avoid.

      e.g. ebay dictates seller must allow Paypal as one form of payment (unless picking up an item in person). Seller lists a laptop. Buyer does a buy-it-now and pays with Paypal. Seller ships laptop. Buyer receives laptop and claims to ebay it's broken. To qualify for a refund he has to return it to the seller and provide proof of shipping. He sends back a box full of junk mail instead, provides ebay with the Australia Post receipt for sending the box, and receives his money back - which ebay/paypal then take from the seller. The seller tells ebay he received a box with no laptop inside. ebay says back luck - we saw the receipt.

      • Seller looses laptop and money
      • Buyer gets one negative feedback and a free laptop

      Yeah, so much better than meeting in person via gumtree.

      • roguescholar on 12/04/2018 - 09:36
        +2

        Gumtree also has PayPal payments now as well.

        However there is no protection when using it.
        Ozbargain - Beware PayPal No Longer Offer Gumtree Buyer Protection

        • danb on 12/04/2018 - 10:03
          +2

          There is protection using paypal on gumtree. Why would paypal team up with gumtree to allow payments but offer no protection? lol

          https://www.paypal.com/au/webapps/mpp/gumtree

          By the way ive had paypal refund me atleast 5 times from purchases on gumtree, the latest one being 1 month ago.

          You are paying with Goods and Services, so you get the buyer protection associated with it.

        • roguescholar on 12/04/2018 - 10:13

          @danb:

          Sorry, this is my mistake. I was only going off information that I had read on Paypal.

          How do I pay for my Gumtree purchases using PayPal?

          Note: PayPal Buyer Protection does not apply to payments made through Gumtree. Before you pay, carefully inspect the item in person or confirm the service has been completed to your satisfaction. Make sure you are with the seller when you pay.

        • Ughhh on 12/04/2018 - 11:07

          @danb:

          There is protection using paypal on gumtree. Why would paypal team up with gumtree to allow payments but offer no protection? lol

          Because there are fees for using paypal. The only protection they state to offer is that buyers don't have to carry a bag of cash with them in public.

        • Scab on 12/04/2018 - 11:13
          +1

          @danb:

          There is protection using paypal on gumtree.

          There is not, only if it's an unauthorised transaction.

          Many moons ago there was buyer protection, but they stopped that a while ago.

          Why would paypal team up with gumtree to allow payments but offer no protection?

          Because eBay owns Gumtree and before eBay and PayPal split they offered protection.

          And they also get fees so why wouldn't they?

        • danb on 12/04/2018 - 11:26
          +1

          @Scab: Actually you guys are right, maybe ive just been lucky then, although i dont remember if i mentioned i bought the item through gumtree or not but ive had several claims paid out

          https://www.paypal.com/au/selfhelp/article/how-do-i-pay-for-…

          "Note: PayPal Buyer Protection does not apply to payments made through Gumtree. Before you pay, carefully inspect the item in person or confirm the service has been completed to your satisfaction. Make sure you are with the seller when you pay."

        • roguescholar on 12/04/2018 - 14:52
          +1

          @danb: In the comments above, you mentioned that your items were purchased through Gumtree and PayPal had refunded you at least 5 times.

          By the way ive had paypal refund me atleast 5 times from purchases on gumtree, the latest one being 1 month ago.
          You are paying with Goods and Services, so you get the buyer protection associated with it.

        • randomusername2017 on 12/04/2018 - 22:24
          +1

          @Scab:

          There is not, only if it's an unauthorised transaction.

          Paypal do provide buyer protection on gumtree
          Just been through the process as a seller
          All up it took two months to have a bogus claim awarded then overturned.

        • Scab on 13/04/2018 - 05:38

          @randomusername2017:

          Paypal do provide buyer protection on gumtree

          They do not, only for an unauthorised transaction.

          There is no Gumtree buyer protection.

        • danb on 13/04/2018 - 10:05
          +1

          @roguescholar: Thats right, i just raised the cases in paypal and won them. They havent brought up the fact i purchased these through gumtree. Although in that link it says there is no buyer protection using paypal through gumtree, so i dont know how they make a ruling on this. Id be more inclined to ask the seller for their paypal email rather than paying through the gumtree app for anything i buy in future. If you pay through gumtree, it will say on the paypal activity "Gumtree transaction for ad: xxxxxx", while if you pay through the paypal app, you dont need to mention gumtree at all

        • Scab on 13/04/2018 - 17:10

          @randomusername2017:

          That says nothing about Gumtree.

          Here is the link:

          PayPal Buyer Protection does not apply to payments made through Gumtree.

        • randomusername2017 on 13/04/2018 - 17:51
          +1

          @Scab:
          Doesn't cover any secondhand purchases collected in person, gumtree or otherwise.
          Any website purchase that is delivered is covered, including gumtree.

        • Scab on 13/04/2018 - 18:00

          @randomusername2017:

          Doesn't cover any secondhand purchases collected in person, gumtree or otherwise.

          Where does it say that?

          And used goods are covered on eBay.

          Stop making crap up, I've posted lhe exact link and quote which categorically state that there's no Gumtree protection.

          Any website purchase that is delivered is covered, including gumtree.

          Nonsense, you're either trolling or can't read.

        • randomusername2017 on 13/04/2018 - 18:14
          +1

          @Scab:
          I quoted that same link to PayPal when they refunded the buyer….
          The any website quote is from the buyer protection link
          Not trolling, just relaying personal experience with PayPal and gumtree.
          PayPal do cover purchases from gumtree that are not collected in person

          But not your…
          Purchases of used or second-hand goods you pick up in person, real estate, motorised vehicles or industrial machinery.

        • Scab on 13/04/2018 - 18:19

          @randomusername2017:

          PayPal do cover purchases from gumtree that are not collected in person

          Show me where PayPal says that?

          I've just posted a link and quote that states they don't.

          If you can't provide any links, then you're just making it up as you go along.

        • randomusername2017 on 13/04/2018 - 18:32
          +1

          @Scab:

          Link

        • Scab on 13/04/2018 - 19:18

          @randomusername2017:

          Where does it say anything about Gumtree?

          And I've provided a link from PayPal that explicitly states there is no protection, or are you saying PayPal are wrong?

          Here it is again as you have trouble reading:

          PayPal Buyer Protection does not apply to payments made through Gumtree.

        • Scab on 13/04/2018 - 19:24

          @randomusername2017:

          And here's a recent thread:

          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/328801

        • randomusername2017 on 13/04/2018 - 19:42
          +1

          @Scab:

          It also does not exclude gumtree.

          Given that as a seller on gumtree I had an item not received case opened and awarded to the buyer, subsequently appealed and was able to have it reversed, I know paypal cover gumtree payments

          Yes, I now realize why I decided against commenting in that thread.

        • Scab on 13/04/2018 - 19:45

          @randomusername2017:

          It also does not exclude gumtree.

          I've provided you with a PayPal link that does exclude Gumtree.

          Are you saying that link is wrong?

          It explicitly states there is no protection.

        • randomusername2017 on 13/04/2018 - 19:57
          +1

          @Scab:

          Never disputed validity of that link
          Must have some unpublished exceptions to their rules..

        • Scab on 13/04/2018 - 20:11

          @randomusername2017:

          What possible exceptions could there be?

          It states there is no buyer protection for Gumtree payments, it doesn't get clearer than that.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/04/2018 - 20:19
          +4

          @Scab: This conversation with randomusername reminds me of my Uncle. It’s like playing chess with a pigeon, no matter how good you are they will strut around like they won all while defecating on the board.

        • Scab on 13/04/2018 - 21:09
          +1

          @Jake Elwood:

          I've pretty much given up, looking forward to his thread when he gets scammed and blames PayPal.

        • qtntom on 13/04/2018 - 21:57
          +1

          @danb: keep doing that and one day they will actually read into the case and refuse your claim as paypal doesn't cover gumtree transaction. speaking from personal experience.

      • cloudie9 on 12/04/2018 - 18:55

        Buy AusPost insurance next time.

    • magic8ballgag on 12/04/2018 - 08:49

      The same reason everyone else buys/sells goods and services on there?

  • Cave Fire on 11/04/2018 - 20:10
    +1

    I have been thinking about this a lot. Like, how much of the money on Gumtree etc is real? Best to do big transactions at the bank. Have you lodged a police report? For small amounts they might not care, but $2000 is a lot, getting close to $3000 which puts it into another category if I remember correctly.

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 11/04/2018 - 20:11
    +30

    Why would you send the giftcard before the funds clearing? Oldest trick in the book.

  • AnDyStYLe on 11/04/2018 - 20:12
    +9

    Username checks out…

  • 87percent on 11/04/2018 - 20:12
    +6

    Man… You got suckered hard. Why wouldnt you wait for the money to land in your account?!?!

    • [Deactivated] on 12/04/2018 - 20:39
      +4

      Believed a receipt via SMS, realised it was a scam and yet despite this was still surprised to find the account number was fake. Oh lord.
      I genuinely feel sorry for this person. Working in retail you become aware of the bottom half of the bell curve, I wonder how do these people understand forms, taxes, loans etc. Life is not fair for them.

      • twaza on 13/04/2018 - 13:21

        Unfortunately you don't need a lot of things to still get them, e.g. loans.

  • thatonethere on 11/04/2018 - 20:14
    +15

    If the gift card hasnt been used just go and use it asap. Buy a heap of itunes cards.

    • Munki on 12/04/2018 - 11:39
      +6

      Use it to buy another JB gift card.

    • bmerigan on 12/04/2018 - 20:58
      +4

      This is the best idea.
      Use it ASAP

  • whooah1979 on 11/04/2018 - 20:15
    +4

    gotcha

  • resubaehtgnolhcs on 11/04/2018 - 20:17
    +8

    Wow … how many times do we get this scenario here!

    • onetwothreefour on 12/04/2018 - 06:25
      +6

      Yep you would think that the trolls could think of a different story by now.

  • Cave Fire on 11/04/2018 - 20:17

    JB's largest gift card is $500…

    • elequent on 11/04/2018 - 20:41

      Sadly i got four of them to buy a TV, which turned out no Stock… so I ended up with four unused gift cards….

      • DiscoJango on 12/04/2018 - 08:38
        +21

        Oh no, the tv i wanted is out of stock. Better just throw those gift cards out, not like theres any other models of tv for sale!

        • blawler05 on 12/04/2018 - 08:46
          -1

          Also, why not just buy the tv with the money, instead of buying the gift cards to then buy the tv.

        • furys12 on 12/04/2018 - 09:23
          +9

          that one is actually the ozbargain way, buy gift cards through certain pathways to get them cheaper or earn more points, rewards etc

        • phocus on 12/04/2018 - 09:37
          +1

          @blawler05: because you can buy JB GC @ 5-7% off from someone irc

        • Illian on 12/04/2018 - 15:19
          +6

          Can't speak for the OP, but I will only buy the exact thing that I want, no compromises, I want that particular model for a slew of damn good reasons and I don't mind waiting weeks or even months. As to why he would ditch the cards? No idea!

        • DiscoJango on 12/04/2018 - 19:18
          +1

          @Adonael: surely SOME store somewhere would sell this particular tv, and if the one he wanted was end of life and no longer available, surely there is a similar equivalent. its not like this one tv had a magical feature that no other tv on earth had which forced OP to abandon his search altogether and want to get rid of his gift vouchers.

        • blawler05 on 13/04/2018 - 08:24

          @furys12: Fair enough.

        • Zetrox2k on 13/04/2018 - 12:59

          @phocus:

          completely wrong phocus… you can get them for free nowadays… just let me transfer you some of my invisible funds.

        • Antikythera on 13/04/2018 - 13:27
          +2

          @phocus: you can get free JB hifi gift vouchers on Gumtree

        • BartholemewH on 13/04/2018 - 18:42
          +1

          @phocus:
          You can buy them from OP at 100% off iirc.

        • snc07 on 13/04/2018 - 23:03

          Hahaha

  • payton on 11/04/2018 - 20:20
    +1

    l2troll ?

    payton on 11/04/2018 - 20:20 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
  • SBOB on 11/04/2018 - 20:27

    this is either
    a) real… you just learnt a very valuable lesson.
    v)troll… because..really? some random numbers in an SMS is enough to send someone 2k worth if gift cards. No one's that silly right?

    • elequent on 11/04/2018 - 20:40

      I am sorry but it was really a very valuable lesson…. I have never been so stupid. Not sure if it is worthy to report to the police tomorrow…

      • cypher67 on 11/04/2018 - 20:43
        -6

        You have no claim

        • Roman Sandstorm on 12/04/2018 - 14:13
          +5

          You have no claim

          Why would you say this?

          Your comment is pointless, and completely incorrect.

          Regardless of the OP's gullibility (or perhaps his innate trusting of his fellow man?), he has been unlawfully dudded out of his money. This may be fraud, theft, obtaining funds by deception, whatever.

          He has done nothing wrong, and his money has been stolen.

          It may be slightly embarrassing for him to go to the police, but that is exactly what he should do.

          Following-up with JB, cancelling the card, etc, etc may all be useful ideas, but he must go to the police.

        • cypher67 on 12/04/2018 - 15:08
          +1

          Ok fine there is a loose claim for fraud, but by claim I mean there is nothing that can be done by them.

          This is one of those scenario's that the police is not going to do anything about it, simply because there is nothing that can be done.

          You have no information to give them as it was all anonymous. Gumtree guideline clearly state cash face to face transactions only.

          Report it if you want to waste more time, but nothing will come of it.

      • 50cent on 12/04/2018 - 07:57

        Report to FBI & CIA

        • Scab on 12/04/2018 - 12:08
          +5

          I'd go all out and contact A Current Affair.

  • capslock on 11/04/2018 - 20:35
    +8

    It's not real. Bendigo Bank will not tell a random person on the phone if a bank account number is fake.

    • elequent on 11/04/2018 - 20:41

      I told them the person's BSB and account number, and they said it did not exist.

      • cypher67 on 11/04/2018 - 20:43
        +14

        No bank would do this

        • jwh on 11/04/2018 - 23:50
          +5

          Actually, they did in my case. I sent some money to my Dads old bank account after he had closed it.

          I called the bank asking what would happen, and they told me that there was no account with that number, and that the money would bounce back into my account within a couple of days.

        • Ultramup on 12/04/2018 - 00:07
          +1

          Just ask to bring up the account as you would normally when calling up a bank … how else do they pull up a provide to identify you.

        • Ultramup on 12/04/2018 - 00:08

          if the account number doesn’t exist then they can’t proceed with the call and you wouldn’t obvoiusly know there is no such account

        • Argenti Fox on 12/04/2018 - 00:34
          +1

          They do. Happened to us when a friend of ours was collecting money for a gift for a mutual friend. Everyone sent their share to her account but she still hadn't received anything from us after a couple of days. First we rang our bank who confirmed the money had been sent from their side, then we rang our friend's bank to chase up what had happened. They told us the account number doesn't exist. We told our friend who triple checked her account details and found she was off by one number. Money ended up coming back into our account after a few days.

        • Cyphar on 12/04/2018 - 12:56

          Yes ofcourse they will. Have you ever gone in to a bank to debit money in to another person's account? They most certainly will verify if an account is legit

        • Sheeplovebeer on 13/04/2018 - 08:32
          +1

          I'm sorry but this is just plain false.

          Not sure why you have so many upvotes.

    • Blackadda on 13/04/2018 - 08:59
      +2

      Of course they can, they're not breaching any privacy laws by saying 'this does not exist'

  • Godric on 11/04/2018 - 20:46
    -2

    hahahah

    Godric on 11/04/2018 - 20:46 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • [Deactivated] on 11/04/2018 - 22:40

      hahahaha

      • Argenti Fox on 12/04/2018 - 00:37
        +6

        hahahaha

        What are we laughing at?

        • h4zey on 12/04/2018 - 09:12

          why don't you look into the mirror to find out…

          hahahaha..

          joke aside, i don't know what we are laughing at..

  • mick123 on 11/04/2018 - 20:56
    +5

    Obvious troll guys. Please don't respond to this post as I believe the OP is Mark Suckaberg trying to get your DNA from your posts..

    mick123 on 11/04/2018 - 20:56 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
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