CONFIRMED FALSE ALERT - Possibly Got Scammed Buying eBay Gift Card at a Discount

MadMaxBargainRoad on 22/01/2024 - 10:43
Last edited 22/01/2024 - 15:43

Final update - all gift cards sent by mkheav are legit and I have successfully redeemed them through ebay. He's been also genuinely apologetic for the whole ordeal and I personally believe that he was honestly caught up by work/life. Good luck to all legit members who are trading on classified.

Hey all,

Long time ozb member here and have traded with numerous users previously without much of an issue.

However, I've got a feeling that I might have been caught this time.

For context, I recently put up a post in Classified looking for $600 discounted eBay gift cards. Several users approved me via PM but their cards are all in $50s which means I cannot use all of them in a single transaction. Early morning yesterday, user @mkheav pm'd me offering cards in $150s at 10% off. I've checked his profile and it looks quite legit to me. Therefore, I thought it sounded perfect and paid $540 for 4x150 cards through provided PayID at around 10:00 am. He responded quite late at 1:30pm saying that he's received the fund and would be sending over the cards shortly.

However, until now he's been offline and surely enough not responding to any pm, SMS or phone calls.

From my past experience, users always answered messages within an hour and at worst would come back within 4 hours during a trade. @mkheav's activity history also looked very legit but I suspect that either his account got hacked or he's decided to start scamming people out of the blue.

I have already reported him to the mods and just like to make a post here in case he's approaching anyone else in the meantime.

Update: seller just called me back at 10:45am saying he's been caught up with work and will send over the cards within today. Fingers crossed.

Update2: Seller has sent through all cards at 12:25pm and I will make my purchase soon to validate.

See top of the post for final updates

Site Discussion

Comments

  • Dollar General on 22/01/2024 - 10:44
    +34

    A lot of risk involved to save $60.

  • randomusername2017 on 22/01/2024 - 10:59
    +6

    🍿🍿🍿

  • KaTst3R on 22/01/2024 - 11:01

    Isnt there a 24hour hold for 1st transaction to new PayID user? When seller says he/she received the funds a couple of hours later, how is that possible

    • coffeeinmyveins on 22/01/2024 - 11:03

      Depends on the bank. Westpac does this and I got caught out when selling stuff to someone.

      • Settero on 22/01/2024 - 11:35

        Na not true , paid an account yesterday from westpac for the first time , it was instant.

        Not saying your first payment was not delayed but saying not all first payments are.

  • deme on 22/01/2024 - 11:01
    +3

    Another day

  • BrunoBear on 22/01/2024 - 11:01
    +3

    Sometimes I really wonder how often people get scammed here on the classifieds. I hope the mods can publish some stats. There are users here that have no hesitation sending thousands to a stranger just to save a tiny amount. Boggles my mind.

    • Pcosmic on 22/01/2024 - 11:05
      -2

      Poor people mindset

      • thrillhouse on 24/01/2024 - 07:04

        You’re being downvoted for a total lack of tact but there is some truth to this.

        From a macro perspective, we consider those more disadvantaged probably not having access to the same opportunities, such as education, therefore being deprived the privilege to learn or practice financial responsibility, rationale and self control. This is of course a huge generalisation.

        With that, they may be more prone to taking unnecessary or unfavourable risks if they see any potential gain. They might not be thinking long-term (those in poverty don’t really get that luxury), or about repercussions. Whilst those well off are able to consider the many options they have available to them, or might think more pragmatically.

        It’s a sad reality that those who take the biggest risks are often the ones who can afford to the least.

        None of this is to suggest OP is poor, nor does it apply to everyone; again it’s a generalisation but it is based on study.

    • Moderatorscrimshaw on 22/01/2024 - 11:16

      We don't keep stats on how many people are scammed. I can do a CTRL+F search on TWAMS and count the number of posts that have "scam" in the title but otherwise we don't keep a logbook of scammers and their victims or how much have been lost.

      Some scam reports turn out to be false positives, as some users didn't give the seller enough time to respond and they automatically assume that after a 24 hour period of no replies they panic and report the seller as a possible fraud

      This is also just my opinion: All it takes is a single "bad transaction" to basically wipe out all your savings that you made from buying / trading gift cards on the Classifieds. You may be better off just playing the slow game and getting your gift cards from legitimate sources (Amazon, TCN, Prezzee etc) and if you do want to buy high-value gift cards from a completely unknown person, do so face to face and only after you've verified who they are IRL.

      • eccaz on 22/01/2024 - 11:39
        +3

        Why can’t a feedback system like eBay be implemented, perhaps even one that indicated dollar amounts fairly traded?

        It wouldn’t stamp fraud out completely but it would greatly help.

        • Moderatorscrimshaw on 22/01/2024 - 12:11

          A trust-based system would be too easy to thwart on Ozbargain. Looking back at some cases, many classifieds scammers are users with previous successful trades and many of those are not even related to classifieds — they approach users via unsolicited private messages and conduct transactions entirely via messaging or emails.

          The last few cases I've dealt with have been users with basically clean records (in eBay terms, they would have 100% feedback).

          Given that Ozbargain is not eBay and we don't ask for personally identifiable information (such as home address, Paypal address, bank account, real name, ID) it would also be easy for a user to ditch their account and start up a new one undetected. the only thing you need to get started with an Ozb account is an email address.

          A feedback system, it's creation and maintenance (ie stopping people giving bad feedback to members they don't like, who they haven't traded with, or getting friends to positive feedback those they haven't traded with) is beyond us.

          Furthermore, most problem users would already be blocked by us before the feedback system had any use in most cases, so it would have limited use even if it was possible for us to make the system responsibly, without abuse.

          • BrunoBear on 22/01/2024 - 12:28
            -2

            @scrimshaw: How many negative feedbacks reported to the mods before someone gets blocked here? Only one or does it take multiple?

            • Moderatorscrimshaw on 22/01/2024 - 12:33

              @BrunoBear: One is all it takes to be blocked.

              Some cases are not black and white and in those scenario we will have to investigate first, or simply wait (such as this case where we believe the buyer hasn't given enough time for the seller to respond).

              • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2024 - 12:40
                -4

                @scrimshaw: No one investigated my case.

                No one contacted the seller, and it was black and white.

                Seller gave me the wrong expiry by 6 months, even contacted Qantas because he didn't realise.

                Seller blocked me.

                By the way, I gave the seller months/weeks.

                Pretty clear cut, I was told not black & white.

                First offense, so basically nothing happened.

          • eccaz on 22/01/2024 - 12:47
            +1

            @scrimshaw: It needn’t be a complex system and yes it could be gamed for exploitation, though it would be harder than it is currently.

            • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2024 - 12:49
              -2

              @eccaz: Could you take a look at the screenshots I posted, and let me know why it's not so black and white?

              I understand the system can be gamed, I'm a long-term member here and I enjoy using the Classifieds.

              I count myself lucky that the most I've lost here is $20, obviously in the past I've lost a lot more money elsewhere but I do consider Ozbargain relatively safe.

              I understand moderating is difficult.

              • Moderatorscrimshaw on 22/01/2024 - 13:06

                @[Deactivated]: I'll answer your twam. Please don't post screenshots that contain personal info of another user.

        • magic8ballgag on 14/02/2024 - 14:49
          -2

          Why can’t a feedback system like eBay be implemented, perhaps even one that indicated dollar amounts fairly traded?

          Good luck with that.

          There are active store reps on this site that are allowed to continue to post deals/advertise, even after they have been reported by multiple members for dodgy tactics and scamming.

          OzBargain won't get involved unless there's monetary gain.

      • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2024 - 11:45
        -5

        Yeah, and some sellers just block you and Mods just say tough luck to you!

        Awesome isn't it? How many sellers have scammed buyers on here, just block them and Mods give them a little black mark on their name as a 1st freebie offence?

        I've had 200-300 transactions, someone gave me the wrong expiry by 6 months on a voucher.

        They even admit their mistake, and simply block me.

        I'm told it's not so black & white, because they actually gave me the voucher code.

        Vouchers generally have 12 months expiry, the one given expired 2 months after.

        It's a joke, and it's not monitored and technically if it's their first offense…nothing will happen.

        I've dealt with some amazing sellers on here, and then I've dealt with the worse 1% who fight tooth and nail over $1.

        You then have sellers who block you over $20, and Mods who don't do anything.

        I wonder if that seller offends for the second time, for a much larger sum if the mods will openly admit they knew the potential red flag? Probably not.

        Just try avoid all responsibility even tho there is a "Classifieds*.

        Mod did reply to me a number of time, even let me know they've made the effort to read my complaints(I assume if you didn't go as hard as me they wouldn't even care).

        It isn't about the money, it was $20. It's the fact that that seller still has the ability to post on classifieds, and in his history has a for sale ad of 600,000 points.

        Potentially he could scam someone of thousands of dollars, and a little black mark on his name is irrelevant.

        That seller should have been contacted for an explanation, and if not a reasonable explanation was given, should have at least been banned from posting in the Classifieds.

        I did not expect the member to be banned overall, but limitation should be in place to deter people.

        You would think that would be something reasonable.

        The reason why I didn't make a post about it, with the seller's name is for the fear that Mods would ban me for calling someone out.

        However, if this post is allowed up…I will post and call them out so no one deals with them again.

        • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2024 - 12:04
          -4

          I wish this system showed you who neg people too, I wonder if people would neg comments if it showed their name.

          😂😂😂

          • eccaz on 22/01/2024 - 12:48

            @[Deactivated]: Don’t worry about who’s negging you, it really doesn’t matter.

        • Duckie2hh on 22/01/2024 - 12:04
          +1

          Don't know why you are getting negged….

        • randomusername2017 on 22/01/2024 - 12:50
          -1

          Makes you wonder why they don't just pull the classifieds rather deal with all that…☝️

        • kerfuffle on 23/01/2024 - 07:32
          +1

          Mods would ban me for calling someone out

          Well that went well. No more OzBargain for you

      • Loopholio on 23/01/2024 - 10:37

        @scrimshaw What is TWAM? I did google it but found nothing useful.

        • kerfuffle on 23/01/2024 - 10:42
          +3

          Talk With A Moderator

        • mapax on 23/01/2024 - 11:03
          +1

          Did you put twam inside of quotations? Because it’s the first result that comes up when googling for the combination of ozbargain “twam”

          • Loopholio on 23/01/2024 - 11:08

            @mapax: I did not think to add ozbargain to the search. Thanks :)

            • mapax on 23/01/2024 - 11:13
              +1

              @Loopholio: No worries. Teach a man to fish etc.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 22/01/2024 - 11:04
    +2

    From my past experience, users always answered messages within an hour and at worst would come back within 4 hours during a trade.

    People have lives and not everyone sits on a forum and have notifications on etc.

    Seems like a large risk to save a few bucks, I'd only do that sort of value transaction face to face.

    • deme on 22/01/2024 - 11:06
      +1

      Useless comment, did you even read OP:

      He responded quite late at 1:30pm saying that he's received the fund and would be sending over the cards shortly

    • beyonddd on 22/01/2024 - 11:08
      +6

      People have lives and not everyone sits on a forum

      If you're selling $540 worth of goods through a forum you absolutely should be sitting there waiting, or at least checking frequently.

      • BrunoBear on 22/01/2024 - 11:15

        Agreed. Poor behaviour by the seller. "Getting caught up with work" isn't a good excuse.

    • MadMaxBargainRoad on 22/01/2024 - 11:11
      +3

      Not when you are actively trading with someone, specially after you have received their money.

      Anyway, as mentioned seller has a very legit profile here and called me back about an hour after I posted. Hopefully it's all just false scare.

      • coffeeinmyveins on 22/01/2024 - 11:30
        -3

        Not when you are actively trading with someone, specially after you have received their money.

        yeah, nah. people have lives outside of selling stuff online mate and don't have a responsibility to you to reply in <1 hour. Do you have kids? I can think of a million reasons why someone doesn't reply for a few hours.

        Everyone is so used to getting everything NOW NOW NOW that we forget everyone else has complex lives too.

        As you stated, looks like a false 'scare' but as usual, buyer beware.

        • MadMaxBargainRoad on 22/01/2024 - 11:40
          +1

          I never expect people to respond in less than an hour. You are taking what I typed out of context here. Think about how long I have waited before reporting / posting.

          I have a typical family life and sold plenty of items here. There is no way that I would let the buyer wait for more than 30 minutes after they transferred the money let alone 20+ hours.

      • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2024 - 11:58
        -2

        However, it does happen occasionally.

        I've had some people not log on for a few days, but I have generally given them time and I am dealing with much less sums than $500.

        People don't live on their phone, or they have a very busy work schedules.

        A lot of people also don't get to have their phone on them at work, maybe they finished work. We're tired and forgot. However, you can always send a reminder.

        I'm pretty confident if you don't have the app, you're not going to get notifications of messages?

        Personally, and I think I've actually dealt with Max before. I generally try and get a deal done within 5 minutes.

      • eccaz on 22/01/2024 - 11:59
        +1

        I had a similar experience recently, also involving eBay gift cards.

        After receiving them from a long time legit looking member I went to use them they were already locked to an eBay account. I messaged the seller on here and he didn’t respond after several messages over a few days. I then messaged the payid phone number and was preparing to contact the police and this guy’s workplace, when he finally responded, apologized and refunded me.

        Whilst frustrating, shit can happen, even to good intentioned people.

  • 87percent on 22/01/2024 - 11:08
    +1

    boo on the update!

    • MadMaxBargainRoad on 22/01/2024 - 11:13

      Lol…..a boo for for anyone who's grabbed the popcorn but a yay (fingers crossed again) for myself.

  • Muzeeb on 22/01/2024 - 11:17
    +6

    @mapax

    Lol

    • mapax on 22/01/2024 - 11:36
      +8

      And here I was about to post ADAGCHS

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 22/01/2024 - 12:02
      +2

      Was scrolling thorough the thread like Ayo where my boys muzeeb and mapax haha

  • Synapse29 on 22/01/2024 - 12:44

    Should have just bought from prezee instead of saving few bucks

  • Wiadro on 22/01/2024 - 13:51
    +2

    LOL OZB DRAMA

    • pharkurnell on 22/01/2024 - 14:04
      +1

      Waiting for the Miniseries

  • franco cozzo on 22/01/2024 - 14:19

    POTENTIAL DEFAMATION SUIT!!!

  • Muzeeb on 22/01/2024 - 14:52
    +3

    and I will make my purchase soon to validate.

    Please make the purchase within 30 minutes

    • randomusername2017 on 22/01/2024 - 15:35
      +1

      within an hour

      • Muzeeb on 22/01/2024 - 15:47
        +1

        There is no way that I would let the buyer wait for more than 30 minutes

        So why should ozbargain members wait any longer?

        CONFIRMED FALSE ALERT

        Thank God. I can go and start mowing the lawns now.

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