2. misc-audio
  3. 167138-83032

Fraud and scam, how many of you are victims?

I was a victim of the most unpleasant experience just recently.I thought i was buying a preamp, but it proves i have been sending money to a scammer. It turns out the seller had been using a stolen ID and digitally manipulated photos.
I managed to get in contact with the fellow whos ID had been stolen, and it proves many more have been scammed like me. I'd like to point out that this is NOT through Audiogon, but another big sight.

Utterly painful when it's borrowed money. This makes me totally rethink any future purchase on the used marked.

I wonder how many of you fellow audio-friends have had this happen to you?

rird
rooze's avatar
rooze
643 posts
 
I received an offer for a preamp listing on USAUDIOMART from what I thought was a reputable buyer. The guy was associated with Audio Excellence in Canada, whose YouTube channel I subscribe to. He was using a company email address @audioexcellence.ca
 I accepted his fair offer and he then asked for all my banking information so he could send the money via EFT. After I sent the info he basically ghosted me and I had to get shirty with him to force a response. His response was basically that I was involved in his holding pattern and he needed to sell something else to fund the sale. Basically BS. Now the dude has all my banking information. It’s about the dumbest thing I’ve done in 20 years of online trading.
Scam or not, it’s despicable how people can agree to a transaction, collect your financial information then walk away from the deal without consequence.
 I’m now in dialogue with my bank over the security of my account. It’s a 25 year account which I use with various auto bill payments etc. 
What a plonker I am.

rird OP
91 posts
 
A bit polarizing opions and maybe experiences here, aswell as a degree of besserwissers here to. Well, it's like forums usually are.
earlflynn's avatar
earlflynn
461 posts
 
I just got burned by a seller on a popular audio platform/site.

Used PayPal and hope to get it resolved through them or the CC company. $3k burn and I am looking at filing a criminal complaint in his home state. Yep good luck. 
Narrowed money cost nothing when paid in full, also affords some protection.
thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
4,917 posts
 
@rird,

Ja, hier sind mehr als ein paar Wiseaksres.
marburger
5 posts
 
I think everyone got scammed this year. I was going to sell an amp on FB marketplace, and next thing you know, someone in Asia taps into my account and starts creating ad campaigns under the FB account which is charging my Paypal, which is directly pulling money out of my bank account! Luckily, I got my money back and shutdown the facebook account.

I've sold lots of stuff on Ebay with no issues, but even there, someone recently tried to pay double for an item I was offering. That scam bets on your greed and involves them sending you a bad check. Buyers and sellers have to be really careful these days. 
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