Internet shopping security?

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mohammedm

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I am in the process of selling my laptop computer after advertising it on a local classifieds site. The buye is based in Johannesburg and I am in Cape Town. I have been in contact with him via text SMS (to his cell number) and via email (to a webmail address - [email protected]).

He has promised to pay the money into my account and I will then courier the laptop to him.

The following worries me:
1. He has asked for the package to be addressed to a POSTNET outlet and not to a specific PO Box, or a street address.
2. He has asked that he package be addressed to his "driver" and not to himself, so that his driver can pick up the package.

To safeguard myself, I will not ship the package until the funds are in my account (I will check via online banking).

If there any way that someone can falsify a bank deposit that reflects on my account? Also, once someone deposits money into my account, can that deposit be reversed without my knowledge?

Any thoughts and suggestions will be welcome.
 
Hi there, did you sell the notebook to the guy in JHB? Am in the process of selling my iMac to someone in JHB from Durban and they wanted to do the same thing, just wanted to check that the deal was ok. Thanks.
 
Deal not OK

Apparently this is quite a normal scamming occurrence. They pretend to be legitimate buyers and deposit a cheque into your account. They try and insist that you post the item off as soon as they send you a deposit slip or you see the deposit on your internet banking.

Don't do that. Wait for the cheque to clear. I waited 5 days, and the cheque bounced.

I was just suspicious and a good thing too.
 
Have you ever spoken to the guy over a phone line or otherwise? It's very easy to go out and buy a R1.40 Vodacom Starter Pack, load it with R30 and there, you have a fake cell number.
 
Always wait until the bank has told you the money has actually cleared and is not just pending.
 
GreatBigMouth said:
Have you ever spoken to the guy over a phone line or otherwise? It's very easy to go out and buy a R1.40 Vodacom Starter Pack, load it with R30 and there, you have a fake cell number.
Click to expand...

The only time I ever spoke to him was when he phoned me on the day he deposited the cheque, trying to get me to post the laptop off immediately. Called from his cell number - probably a prepaid number. He sounded like an "ethnic" South African rather than the Dr M Sullivan he claimed to be.
 
If I were you, I'd definitely wait for the money to be confirmed into your account before you drop off that Laptop. Scammers are smart. Take care. ;)
 
It's a scam!

Wait for the money to clear - 7 days!

Then, phone your personal banker, confirm EVERYTHING, and then send.

I can 100% guarantee you when you demand this from him, he will go quiet, and the deposit will be reversed.

It happened to me, but I caught them out.

N.
 
Ja if you play your cards right, you can catch them. Scammers think their victims are stupid (well, most of them are), yet once you start sniffing around a bit, they'll immediately pull back and you'll never hear from them again.
 
turbo processing pc website(buyers beware)

please be aware that this site is quite scary to do business.i purchased something and have not yet received anything.
 
Most online shopping is perfectly safe - I deal with it on a daily basis.

Whatever you do - don't let the notebook go until the funds have CLEARED in your account. He may have deposited the cheque, but it might bounce. Only when it has cleared, about 7 says - then ship the notebook.

Another thing to look out for, in general : yahoo mail addresses, as well as hotmails. They are a definate tell-tale sign. exactmobile seems okay with me.

What they also do from time to time, is fax/mail through copies of deposit slips - heaven know how they do it, as it looks 100% legit - but they somehow forge them. Check the bank account, nothing. When they do a direct deposit it should show immediately, even for a cheque.

If they say they have done payment, and want it shipped "like today" then thats also a tell-tale sign.

Other than that - as long as you are vigalent, you will be ok. I have not been caught out yet "touch wood"

If you are a purchaser, paying by Credit Card is by far the best mothod. That way, the shop/person is dodgy, you can complain to your bank - and they charge the dodgy merchant back. Very easy and safe!
 
WKJ?:beanie said:
I hate internet shopping, you never know who you can trust and who you can't...
Click to expand...

If the site has a valid security certificate, and is a legitimate company (it's not very hard to find that out), shopping online is perfectly safe. It's when you get to those scaly websites that don't provide an address, etc when you have to be careful. As for me, I've bought dozens of products over the internet, especially electronics. Much more convenient than having to drive all the way, and do the shipping by yourself. ;) :D
 
GreatBigMouth said:
If the site has a valid security certificate, and is a legitimate company (it's not very hard to find that out), shopping online is perfectly safe. It's when you get to those scaly websites that don't provide an address, etc when you have to be careful. As for me, I've bought dozens of products over the internet, especially electronics. Much more convenient than having to drive all the way, and do the shipping by yourself. ;) :D
Click to expand...

Internet shopping is safe, I bought laptop on the US DELL website while in the states, got delivered to my hotel room in 2 working days, I have used the stores on jump.co.za, very reliable.
 
the same thing happened to me - i sold an item to a guy in jhb. I saw the money appear in my account so i shipped up the item. then 2 days later the money was reversed. I then get the canceled cheque from the bank. nothing the bank can do. no trace back to the guy. may he rot in hell!!!!

I sure wont fall for it again. wait until the cheque has cleared before shipping.
 
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