Online purchases - scams & payments

[gshaw]

I run an website / forum & FB group, every time someone posts a complaint I just copy the same guidance...

- PayPal Goods only, never friends and family
- use credit card for online purchases
- send everything tracked delivery

Soon as someone takes a shortcut around those they end up getting stung

Is there some scam where fraudsters persuade victims to use PP Friends and Family instead of PP "business" ? Presumably there's less / no protection if your goods don't show up? We use paypal F&F to settle little betting debts between pals / golf game sweeps etc - is that OK ?

Zero buyer protection if you buy goods from someone and use F&F. PayPal will bid you good day and no further assistance if the items don't turn up. Lots of selling items that don't exist goes on, particularly via Facebook and online forums.

Yeah what you describe is what it's for really, as long as you don't argue about what you've sent at a later date

[Millennial Snowflake]

Never had a Credit Card (only a Debit Card so you only spend what you have).

We go to the Santander Branch and draw out the cash that we need each week, from inside the branch by a real human being handing it over.

Utility Bills are paid for by cheque and posted.

We don't use online for shopping. In fact, we'd rather go without something than use Amazon. We use local shops (walking to most of them).

Guess what?

We've never been scammed.

Better to make certain purchases with a credit card though - any kind of travel or event tickets for example, as card providers can refund you directly should there be a cancellation.

Not sure why you wouldn't use Amazon as they offer excellent protection for missing/damaged items and have a superb fraud detection system. Some sellers have their products fulfilled by Amazon, and Amazon will refund you instantly without any fuss for most purchases if there's an issue. Otherwise if a seller is fulfilling their own orders and you report them to Amazon you'll have your money back pretty quickly anyway.

[NuneatonO's]

Fair point about the protection that a Credit Card affords; particularly for holidays. However, as I'm a Travel Agent (for a company with ABTA membership and an ATOL Licence) that's fortunately never going to be a problem.

We don't shop or buy anything online. If we did, the last people we would use would be Amazon - purely as a matter of principle for the abysmal way that they treat their staff.

We just prefer local, preferably independent, shops - even if things (e.g. white goods) cost a bit more, you are paying for an informed, personalised service with experienced people that know what they are talking about. Cash also gives you the option of a bit of bartering; something that, as a salesman, I really enjoy doing.

[EH16]

Never had a Credit Card (only a Debit Card so you only spend what you have).

We go to the Santander Branch and draw out the cash that we need each week, from inside the branch by a real human being handing it over.

Utility Bills are paid for by cheque and posted.

We don't use online for shopping. In fact, we'd rather go without something than use Amazon. We use local shops (walking to most of them).

Guess what?

We've never been scammed.

I have both Debit and Credit cards

I use minimal amounts of cash and haven't been inside a bank branch in about 10 years

I pay my utility bills by direct debit

I do most of my shopping online and use Amazon on a regular basis.

I use local shops for the odd purchase

Guess what?

I've never been scammed.

[StillSpike]

Slightly off topic - but Easty""yyyys post prompted it.

I can't remember the last cash transaction, of any sort, that I had. It must have been before the lockdown -my best guess is buying a drink in the bar after Raith Rovers home match Vs Forfar, on 7th March- I've still got the same three £20 notes in my money clip that I had when I got home from that match. Everything since then has been card - contactless or DD etc.

Blimey !

[Dohnut]

When I was paying the highest rate of tax my pension contributions which I was due a relief or rebate or whatever you want to call it, they never told me, I had to deal with it myself. If I never knew about it they would have never given back what was owed to me.

Please stop I'm going to cry.

Imagine having to do something for your self. What kind of world is this?

If you owe them, you're in trouble, if they owe you sort it out yourself. Seems fair does it?

Except that is not the case. Certainly based on income and tax coding. The refunds are automated in the main and when one is due they let you know and pay on time. I was notified a refund was due and I didn’t eave realise. Nice.

I dare say there are many other tax situations where people need to take personal responsibility and make a justifiable claim, like I have historically. Once agreed the refund happens. There is absolutely no issue getting a refund if your position is clear and correct. If it don’t happen, don’t moan at them.

[Thor]

Never had a Credit Card (only a Debit Card so you only spend what you have).

We go to the Santander Branch and draw out the cash that we need each week, from inside the branch by a real human being handing it over.

Utility Bills are paid for by cheque and posted.

We don't use online for shopping. In fact, we'd rather go without something than use Amazon. We use local shops (walking to most of them).

Guess what?

We've never been scammed.

I have both Debit and Credit cards

I use minimal amounts of cash and haven't been inside a bank branch in about 10 years

I pay my utility bills by direct debit

I do most of my shopping online and use Amazon on a regular basis.

I use local shops for the odd purchase

Guess what?

I've never been scammed.

Dear Mr EH16,

We are aware of your recent emotional release of details concerning scammers and fraud. So that we can protect you from ever being scammed or a victim of fraud we would like to offer you a lifetime guarantee of ever being a victim. Yes that right, we can protect your identity from ever being divulged, we can make you appear as an anonymous on the internet and we can guarantee never having to suffer a loss of one single penny from your bank account.

Our promise is our bond and should we ever fail to meet your expectations then we will ensure that your loss up to full membership value will be reimbursed to you however, we are so confident in our product we are yet to have to refund anybody.

You can enjoy peace of mind and a stress free internet experience for a one off cost of £99.99, yes you read that right just £99.99 will protect you for your lifetime guaranteed. If you wanted to cover the rest of your family we can offer you a one of payment of £150.00 to cover all your family.

Don’t delay and fall victim to these mindless scammer, protect yourself today. So that can cover you immediately we will need the following details from you. Once we have the details we will ensure that your lifetime guarantee will be enabled immediately.

Your full name
Your date of birth
Your place of birth
Your mother’s maiden name
Your bank account number
Your sort code
Your 16 digit card number
Your expiry date
Your 3 digit security number on he refer
Your national insurance number
Your full home address including post code

Once we have all that we will sure that all these items are protected from fraud for your lifetime, our word is our bond. Don’t delay make sure you get protected today.

You know it makes sense.

Best regards,
Rev Rupert Barnes MP

[Tom Chance]

Never had a Credit Card (only a Debit Card so you only spend what you have).

We go to the Santander Branch and draw out the cash that we need each week, from inside the branch by a real human being handing it over.

Utility Bills are paid for by cheque and posted.

We don't use online for shopping. In fact, we'd rather go without something than use Amazon. We use local shops (walking to most of them).

Guess what?

We've never been scammed.

And I thought I was Fred Flintstone for not having a smart phone!