URGENT: Need Help! The Buyer Called CBA to Stop The Payment to Me While Goods ($4K+) Were Delivered

mrhorse on 29/05/2018 - 10:55
Last edited 30/05/2018 - 12:07 by 1 other user

Thank you so much for reading this.

The buyer called CBA to stop the payment to my CBA account after the goods are delivered.

Last night I could still see this payment was pending, but this morning when I tried to check, I was shocked that my account to receive this fund disappeared.

Called CBA, they said the sender asked to stop the payment, there's nothing they can do until the sender agrees to proceed.

What I have at the moment is the payer's payment screenshot (legit cuz I was able to see this fund in my account), the copy of his driver's licence and the copy of his written agreement that he transferred this fund to my bsb xxxxxx, acct xxxxxxx and his signature and date.

I am so worried that he would deny the payment and then I have to dispute to CBA.

Can anyone please suggest what is the right way to do it?

Thank you so much!!!

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Comments

    • [Deactivated] on 31/05/2018 - 23:47

      They certainly do have his details on file. They would never release to a stranger only to a court or police. Even then the court and police would not give the details over.

  • pantsparty on 29/05/2018 - 22:31
    -5

    Oh my. Not another post where the seller screwed up by not using common sense. I hope you didn’t lose too much money as you will likely never get it back. Lesson learned!

    • johnno07 on 29/05/2018 - 22:57

      $4000.

      • pantsparty on 29/05/2018 - 23:18
        +1

        Wow who would post goods worth $4k before the payment cleared! That is very foolish.

        • affable on 30/05/2018 - 10:20
          +2

          A cleared payment is not sufficient. Here is how the scam probably went -
          1. Fraudster takes any cheque they have received from a "Mr Innocent", digitally change the details to suit their payment to seller.
          2. Fraudster deposits the fake cheque in an ATM from the seller's bank. This step is critical.
          3. Cheque clears, goes un-noticed until "Mr Innocent" disputes the transaction and the cheque is found to be fake.

          All banks have a clause to reverse transactions in the case of fraud.
          Basically the fraud is due to advances in printing capability, and the pathetic paper cheque technology.
          Moral to the story, don't accept cheques. Bank Cheques are also open to cheque fraud.

        • geoffs87 on 30/05/2018 - 14:07

          OP…

        • smartazz104 on 30/05/2018 - 18:41
          +1

          For $4K I would expect nothing less than cash in hand.

        • burningrage on 30/05/2018 - 22:58

          @affable:

          Well.. I wouldn't let a stranger deposit money via this method. That alone is dodgy.

  • paloverde88 on 29/05/2018 - 23:13
    +5

    I believe if it was a tracked service like registered you can request Post Office to retract the package there is a charge.

    Next time, as other members say, wait until the money cleared, withdraw all of it and then close your bank account and then wait another 2 working days, then send the slowest mail possible.

    • Danthemanz on 30/05/2018 - 13:09
      +3

      Its hardly possible to close and open new bank accounts every time someone sells something.
      I do probably 5 trades a month online.

      • Agret on 31/05/2018 - 00:07

        On UBank it's a couple of clicks but I agree this is unnecessary

      • Munki on 31/05/2018 - 17:32

        Come on guys. Clearly hyperbole used there…

    • bmerigan on 30/05/2018 - 21:52
      +1

      Such a ridiculous idea.

  • HumbleCat on 30/05/2018 - 00:47
    +1

    Was this gumtree?

  • AMLagonda on 30/05/2018 - 01:18

    The OP or in fact anyone that gets scammed like this will never see the money and was never going to see any money, that is why it is a scam….

    This was a very hard lesson to learn and it would really hurt.

    • Xiaomi on 30/05/2018 - 02:03
      +1

      Alrite David Attenborough

  • sschen on 30/05/2018 - 02:07

    I recently posted several items for sale on gumtree, and received a weird SMS asking me to email him with my final price. There is no return number on the SMS, so I have no choice but to email. Even though it seems a bit fishy, I decided to email him anyway. So I wrote the email asking him which item he is interested in, and I got the following weird response, not even telling me which item he is interested in!!

    Anyway, it is enough to ring more alarm bells so I stopped any further correspondence.

    =============================

    Thanks for getting back to me,I would have loved to call you directly but due to the nature of my work we do not have access to phone at the moment,which is why I contacted you with internet messaging facility

    Does it have any faults I should be aware of?

    Why are you selling it?
    I'll ad an extra $200 if you take the ad down.

    I am organizing a courier now,

    I will be paying you through PayPal to your nominated bank account or better still is if you have a PayPal account ,please get back to me with your BSB and account details or PayPal account so i can proceed with the payment nd contact the courier agent who will come to pick it up and deliver it in NT for me .Await your reply

    • ozzpete on 30/05/2018 - 04:46

      I got a suspicious message just like this, also on gumtree.
      As soon as they asked if they could send their courier to pick up, before payment received/cleared, I knew it was a scam . Also, was obvious it was a scam because they offered me more $$, which nobody legitimate would ever do, but someone dodgy would likely do. Why not offer you more, they never intend to pay you anyway lol.
      You really have to keep your witts about you, and have a healthy amount of scepticism towards the stranger you are dealing with, in order to stay reasonably safe from fraud and other scams

      • zeomega on 30/05/2018 - 21:48
        +3

        The additional $200 is to weed out the more suspicious people like yourself.

        There are many people who are gullible enough, and for the sake of $200 extra, will try to expedite the sale and as a result get scammed. These scammers have used this method for many years successfully.

        • Lv80 on 31/05/2018 - 12:47

          No-one but scammers pay MORE than an asking price lol
          Seller: "I'd like to sell this for $4000"
          Scammer: "How about I give you $4400"
          Seller: "What a lovely offer. thank you"

    • terrys on 30/05/2018 - 08:42

      No access to a phone, but access to email…

    • mezje on 30/05/2018 - 09:30
      +1

      You have to be a special kind of stupid to believe this. AFAIK Gumtree even list this type of msg as a common scam.

      • Other on 01/06/2018 - 02:15

        Considering the number of messages the scammers would be sending you really think Gumtrees AI could pick it up and delete before it gets to customer. Pathetic of Gumtree really….

    • 01011010 on 30/05/2018 - 10:23

      yeah i had one of these a few months back when selling a laptop on gumtree. If you have the time, string them along and give them some fake details. I'm sure if everyone wastes their time it wont stop them, but make them just a little bit annoyed.

    • skywards on 30/05/2018 - 14:20
      +2

      Lol @ internet messaging facility

    • trapper on 31/05/2018 - 12:41

      'Thanks for getting back to me,I would have loved to call you directly but' - already a scam at this point lol

    • lysp on 31/05/2018 - 14:30

      Does it have any faults I should be aware of?

      Why are you selling it?
      I'll ad an extra $200 if you take the ad down.

      I am organizing a courier now,

      I will be paying you through PayPal to your nominated bank account or better still is if you have a PayPal account ,please get back to me with your BSB and account details or PayPal account so i can proceed with the payment nd contact the courier agent who will come to pick it up and deliver it in NT for me .Await your reply

      Certainly, my Paypal details are X.

      Once the payment has cleared I will provide the address for your courier to arrange for the item to be picked up immediately.

  • Protato on 30/05/2018 - 02:07

    Op, how do you know the buyer transferred from a Commbank account? If they truly have a commbank account then you have his real account details and it should be easier to track the buyer than a fake id.

  • stickyfingers on 30/05/2018 - 02:26
    +25

    Sorry to hear OP. Despite the hounding you’re getting on here most people would have assumed Commonwealth to Commonwealth would be safe. There really doesn’t seem like any good way to sell items anymore.

    Theives are a**holes and I seriously hope this person gets what they deserve.

    Don’t let the so called experts on here get you down and best of luck with it all.

    • affable on 30/05/2018 - 10:26

      The new PayID which came in this year was designed by our banks to provide instant bank to bank payments, however it seems a person's first PayID transaction can be reversed. Its also not yet supported by all banks eg Westpac has it, however their subsidiary St George does not yet support PayID.

      www.payid.com.au

      • shadowangel on 30/05/2018 - 15:24

        Has any one actually read payid terms yet to make sure it can not be reversed. It uses a different system to a bank transfer.

        • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2018 - 16:58

          If it can be reversed, it has no reason to exist.

          From what I've been able to find:

          http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-13/new-payments-platform-…

          The New Payments Platform will push Australia closer towards a cashless economy. But some will be affected more than others.
          Under the terms and conditions issued by one of the participating banks, banks are not liable for losses that are a result of you giving the wrong account information.

          Furthermore, a transfer instruction given by you, once accepted by your bank, is irrevocable.

          This also applies if you were fraudulently induced to make a transfer via the New Payments Platform.

          In this case your bank might be able to help you recover the funds, but the recipient of the funds (potentially a fraudster) will have to consent to repay your funds.

          So if you have a dispute with a recipient of your funds transfer, you will need to resolve the dispute directly with that person or organisation under the new scheme.

          It is likely that similar terms and conditions will apply to all the institutions that are members of the New Payments Platform.

        • gromit on 30/05/2018 - 17:52

          @Bargs: from my understanding and reading Osko can definitely be reversed by the bank without your consent and as many of them plan to use that to facilitate payid I would say you would be subject to those same conditions when someone yells fraud.

          e.g. from ING "… If a Misdirected Payment is made from your Account, we will request the payee’s institution to return the amount of that payment."

          and

          "Where we and the sending financial institution determine that an NPP Payment made to your Account is either a Mistaken Payment or a Misdirected Payment, we may, without your consent, and subject to complying with any other applicable terms and conditions, deduct from your Account, an amount up to the original amount of the Mistaken Payment or Misdirected Payment. We will notify you if this occurs."

        • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2018 - 18:05

          @Bargs:

          Once accepted by your bank… ie, once it's not pending…?

        • [Deactivated] on 31/05/2018 - 10:45

          @dyl: NPP (PayID) are not pending in seconds. Direct Deposit / Cheque takes days.

          @gromit "we will request". Indeed, and if they payee agrees it can be returned.

          "Where we and the sending financial institution determine that an NPP Payment made to your Account is either a Mistaken Payment or a Misdirected Payment, we may, without your consent, and subject to complying with any other applicable terms and conditions, deduct from your Account, an amount up to the original amount of the Mistaken Payment or Misdirected Payment. We will notify you if this occurs."

          • This applies even to direct deposits that are no longer pending. They need to be damn sure it's misdirected/mistaken. For a cleared direct deposit it's easier than NPP to pretend it's misdirected by putting a different account name in the transfer. The sending bank basically can never get the money back. If the recipient bank agrees they can return it, but they're not very likely to piss off a customer unless they have pretty solid proof it was misdirected, they're simply likely to give the customers details, if ordered by a court, to facilitate the return of the money.

          Their terms basically are there to cover them if THEY stuff up misdirect the payment and need to claw the money back. They have no interest in helping a scammer.

        • gromit on 31/05/2018 - 20:42
          +1

          @Bargs: The point is it is NOT irreversible as you claimed and the transaction can indeed be reversed without you being given any prior notification or authorisation if the scammer can convince the bank it was fraud or misdirected. So this really brings nothing new apart from speed, if you aren't convinced the buyer isn't a scammer then Cash only.

      • TrendyTim on 31/05/2018 - 10:40

        Westpac has it ? since when ?

        I set it up on my ING a long time ago, but Westpac are seem to be dragging their heals on it as far as i can see (i went looking on Monday and still no place to set it up).

  • mezje on 30/05/2018 - 07:24
    +1

    It's getting to the point where I think I could quit my job and begin a life of scamming idiots online… It's so simple - don't hand over goods until funds are cleared. Pending = PENDING

    • affable on 30/05/2018 - 10:23
      +2

      "Cleared Funds" are also no guarantee. Banks will reverse transactions if they are proved to be fraudulent eg the copied cheque scam I posted above.

      • mezje on 30/05/2018 - 12:45
        -1

        Works for cheque but I personally wouldn't even accept cheque.

        Direct debit cannot be reversed. Once a DD has cleared all the bank can do is request the money be returned.

      • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2018 - 17:00

        If it's a different bank they can't. Even if fraudulent. They would have to replay the defrauded party themselves even though the recipient would still have the funds. So they're going to want you to really prove you were not responsible for the fraud.

  • GourmetFoodie on 30/05/2018 - 08:23
    +2

    Good luck OP. If there is one thing I've learned, never send goods until payment is received and ideally, only accept cash for all transactions.

  • BigBirdy on 30/05/2018 - 09:11
    +4

    Stories like this make me wonder if banks (& Paypal, etc) have customers who regularly stop/reverse payments, in which case the bank could investigate the circumstances (contact intended recipient through their bank), make a few well publicised referrals to police, and pretty much stop this rort. At present it seems to be an easy, yet traceable, crime.

  • Pandaboss on 30/05/2018 - 09:21

    ..but what did he post that is 4k?

    • angelkulit025 on 30/05/2018 - 10:37

      the question is irrelevant… and we've got nothing to do with the item posted. OP is asking for advice re stopped payment he shouldve received the first place before sending the item.

      • Brick50 on 30/05/2018 - 11:11
        +1

        If it's a car it could be listed as stolen, so it does matter

        • Shark on 30/05/2018 - 14:09
          +4

          when was the last time you posted a car? I'd like to see that letterbox

    • idonotknowwhy on 01/06/2018 - 13:55

      An Ethereum mining rig.

  • MementoMori on 30/05/2018 - 10:49
    -1

    In related news - a Local Government Council in the US has started to accept Crypto Currency payments, which they claim is easier/cheaper because there is too much fraud associated with Credit Cards (and scams like this I suppose).

    It's funny because the MSM will tell you Crypto is the 'dodgy/unsafe' currency.

    • Baysew on 30/05/2018 - 10:52
      +3

      Did you just make that story up?

      • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2018 - 11:48
        +12

        You're skeptical about a story involving an unnamed council in an unnamed state of the US accepting an unknown cryptocurrency for payment?

        You cynic.

        • BartholemewH on 30/05/2018 - 21:53

          Currency is Bitconnect.

    • Other on 30/05/2018 - 13:01
      +1

      too much fraud associated with Credit Cards

      To pay fines or rates? The fines/rates are traceable and the debt still remains (and attached) after they find out about the fraud.

  • 16602 on 30/05/2018 - 12:04
    +3

    Send a letter of demand to the persons house demanding the money, like when a car accident happens and the other party refuses to cooperate.

    If they refuse or ignore then take it to court using the evidence of the written agreement and call record with CBA to confirm the sender cancelled the payment. Maybe contact courier to confirm it was delivered in case he chucks a "i didn't receive the item so i cancelled the payment". With that much solid evidence doubt he can argue against it.

  • bobbified on 30/05/2018 - 12:14

    What postal service did you use? I'm assuming you physically posted the package after confirmation that transfer transaction was initiated. Are you saying that the package arrived at the destination before the bank transaction even had enough time to clear?

    What I have at the moment is the payer's payment screenshot (legit cuz I was able to see this fund in my account), the copy of his driver's licence and the copy of his written agreement that he transferred this fund to my bsb xxxxxx, acct xxxxxxx and his signature and date.

    With all the info you have above, especially that "written agreement", I think you should raise the dispute with commbank so they can at least flag the transaction.

  • giventofly on 30/05/2018 - 12:44

    Sorry for your experience, but it serves as a good reminder to all to wait for funds to clear.

  • justwii on 30/05/2018 - 12:48

    What kind of payment methods will show up as pending on your account OP? Personal check?

  • gautamp on 30/05/2018 - 13:17

    Well nothing that someone can do from scams like this. But as a learning Will having a bank check be a good idea for large transactions like this. Just trying to see if there is a fraud even in this case. I wanted to sell my car and the person suggested coming with him to his bank where he will give me a bank check in my name..just guess the risk.

    • Peanut money on 30/05/2018 - 14:42

      They still can call and say bank check was lost and can be cancelled

      The only secure way is to go to buyers bank who withdraws cash and gives it to you. (They’ll have to give them notice) You might want to risk carrying funds out of bank or deposit it straight into your account at the same bank ( you might need to open up an account)

      • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2018 - 16:47

        Banks do have to believe they've legitimately been lost though, if presented by the intended recipient it's likely to be honoured just with more scrutiny.

      • ATangk on 31/05/2018 - 10:22
        +2

        And this is why cash is still king.

  • HeWhoKnows on 30/05/2018 - 13:27

    Always wait for funds to CLEAR in your bank account of just use Paypal next time.

    • oz-eh on 30/05/2018 - 17:38
      +1

      I assume you wanted to type use PayPal next time.

      How would PayPal help?

  • djmm on 30/05/2018 - 15:02

    What's the difference between Bikies and bikkies

    • buy swap sell on 31/05/2018 - 09:22
      +5

      One you dunk in the milk, the other dunks you in the milk

  • rave75 on 30/05/2018 - 15:26

    this kind of post again. YOU DO NOT SEND THE GOODS UNTIL YOU SEE THE PAYMENT IS CLEARED. Period.

  • Serenixia on 30/05/2018 - 16:43
    +3

    Cash is king!

  • cbalsill on 30/05/2018 - 17:51

    I had a similar experience once where I didn’t receive payment after sending goods. Reported it to police just at my local cop shop and although it took them weeks, they got a warrant to go into the guys bank account and investigate, all got sorted out.

    • jlogic on 30/05/2018 - 21:10

      ACORN

  • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2018 - 18:02
    +1

    send a whole heap of junk letters and put the return address to their address without a stamp.

    ill send 1x condom (used/unused) each week

  • aaruu on 30/05/2018 - 18:33

    Contact media (e.g. Today Tonight) if CBA refuses to help you. Reputational impact would force CBA to pick up their game. Good luck!!

  • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2018 - 19:03
    +2

    OP watch out for scam on scam action.

    I have successfully retrieved the $4000, just a small matter of $200 legal fees for the transaction reversal paperwork, please transfer it to me ASAP and you’ll get the money back within a week.

  • 1300 6555 06 on 30/05/2018 - 20:16
    +1

    Hey OP - I may be able to provide you with some assistance in locating some further information regarding the individual who’s defrauded you.

    If you would like some help - please DM me.

  • jlogic on 30/05/2018 - 21:09

    You need to read the electronic banking terms and conditions and see whether the move they just did was legal and within the terms and conditions.

    Last time I checked when money is in your account they need to call you before taking it out.

  • T1OOO on 30/05/2018 - 22:43
    -4

    So this site has turned into scam watch ?

    I didn’t have the money in my hand but I gave the stuff away. Help me.

    Bloody hell. Can we please turn and mark these sorts of posts from appearing in our list please ???

    • Frugal on 31/05/2018 - 01:32
      +2

      I think it’s invaluable. It’s a lesson for all on here.
      Not all posts are on getting the best deal on Eneloop batteries alright?

    • josetann on 31/05/2018 - 14:41
      +1

      Well, OP didn't fall for the "cheque's in the mail, I promise!", the "I'll overpay you, please refund $500 in cash", or even the "here's a totally legit screenshot of me making a payment into your account" scam. No, OP fell for the "I actually transferred the money into your account, you can login and see it!" scam. That's not a very common scam (though it has happened before…heck, you can get scammed with authentic looking counterfeit money…it's rare enough to not be extremely paranoid, but it does happen).

  • ITveteran on 30/05/2018 - 22:51
    +1

    Should be easy case if police willing to look into it. Unfortunately tax payers don't always deserve what they entitled to in this country.

  • wtfnodeal on 31/05/2018 - 00:04

    This is a social experiment right? It is 2018 and this old trick still works?

  • Eeples on 31/05/2018 - 07:01

    Perhaps the cost of fraud on credit cards is serviced by the banks by maintaining extraordinarily high interest rates on them.

    Perhaps that’s more cost effective than pursuing the fraud.

    Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

  • Herbse on 31/05/2018 - 07:44

    OP has gone quiet.

    • idonotknowwhy on 01/06/2018 - 17:08
      +1

      Not surprising, everyone is being a dick about this.

  • EagleKent on 31/05/2018 - 08:29
    +23

    All these people calling OP stupid are morons. Saying he's stupid for falling for a scam he has never heard of is like calling someone stupid because he/she don't know how to fix a Ferrari. Too many kids on this forum.

    • AMLagonda on 31/05/2018 - 16:00
      -6

      I'm sorry but how many posts here are calling the OP Stupid?

  • Neptunesblood on 31/05/2018 - 11:58
    +7

    I’m surprised there are simpletons who still think the bikie joke in any post is even remotely funny.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/05/2018 - 13:44
    +1

    You have a copy of his drivers license & written agreement, and receipt of payment? File a Police Report for stolen goods. I'm sure with all that information, he will receive a knock on the door from the cops in no time at all.

    • Other on 01/06/2018 - 02:21

      Cops may try to palm this off as a civil matter.

  • pformag on 31/05/2018 - 14:15
    +1

    This sucks mate. Hopefully, CBA can help you out.

  • MessyG on 31/05/2018 - 14:56
    +1

    Sorry to hear this. Other than reporting them for fraud - look around to see if they are reselling your item. You might be able to get them that way too.

  • gy on 31/05/2018 - 17:10

    Let me guess, you sold 4K worth of bitcoin on local bitcoins

  • onlyletters on 31/05/2018 - 17:31

    With CBA, you can stop a transaction within 25 minutes of making it.

    • neosin on 31/05/2018 - 21:27
      +1

      source and proof?

      • tajid on 01/06/2018 - 09:49

        I did it once when i realised i transferred to a wrong bank account.

      • idonotknowwhy on 01/06/2018 - 13:57

        3 second rule!

  • mrhorse on 08/06/2018 - 15:23

    seems like they will revert the transaction as the sender claimed his account was theft and he did not authorise this transaction, but they still cannot advise what the final result will be.

  • mrhorse on 26/06/2018 - 17:49
    +3

    Update:

    Initially, they told me to wait 21-42 days for them to review. Now it has been 5 weeks so I called them again, and they treated me like I am the fraud person, saying they are sure the fund transferred to me was stolen fund, and if I do not give them the permission to give it back to the 'victim', the bank will consider terminating the relationship with me.

    Terrified, I tried to calm down and retold them the whole truth again. To my surprise, they seemed not familiar with my case at all, saying 'oh, really, did you provide the evidence that you sent the goods (which I did provide, including the chat transcript)'.

    After putting my call on hold for several times, it seemed they started to realise something was wrong and I might not be the fraud guy, telling me they will hand over my case to their manager to review and will get back to me in few days or so.

    Little hope to get the money back, fingers crossed.

    • affable on 27/06/2018 - 13:09
      +2

      Thanks for the update. There is the bank ombudsman if you have the energy to fight this. After all, it really was the lax banking system at fault, not you. You can't be expected to know that cleared funds are fraud or not.

  • mrhorse on 28/06/2018 - 20:56

    Called the bank again after work, they said they have completed the investigation, and still insist the fund is stolen fund.

    As I am the 'beneficiary' of the fund, they claimed my relationship with commbank is under review, and I should call back tomorrow during business hours to see what my 'options' are.

    I am the one being scammed, but now they are treating me like I am the fraud guy.

    Any suggestions? I do not want to be blacklisted by any bank, especially the one I have long been banking with.

    Much appreciated.

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