skydivepaul
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| posted on 30/9/12 at 10:02 AM |
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gumtree warning scam
some of you may know about this but I thought I would share.
I very nearly got caught out by this but alarm bells started ringing when I called at my local shop to get the vouchers!!
It goes like this.
I saw an advert on gumtree for a gibson studio les paul guitar, decent price, few pictures, accurate description.
An email sent thrugh gum tree and waited for the reply.
the rest goes something like this:
Started like this...
Hi ***,
Don't know if it's been long since you've emailed, I've been out so couldn't follow up on my text message. Can't
promise anything but visiting my mum shortly, wouldn't mind making a drop off . If you'll send me your postcode I can check out on my
satnav the distance to yours.
Reasonable price and accurate description, it's worth the money, no bad surprises. I won't go any lower.
Can be reached on 07747524520 low signal strength area but check emails regularly.
Ta,
Pam
P.S. Will take cash only.
Needless to say I could never get through on the phone..
I then got......
Unfortunately I got called into the office so very busy till next week. Back at work we have some shipments for large items with parcelforce all week
long. Just thought it would save you time and hassle if I'll send it along with them free of charge company benefits .
I asked around and it seems you can pay cash upon delivery/inspection. It's quite simple since they're able to wait for you to check it
out, if not as described they can just void the shipment.
If that's alright with you I'll need a name, address, contact number and time frame when someone's home, can book a specific time
slot if it helps.
Working long hours so If you want to pop in and pick it up you'll just have to wait till next week when hopefully I'll get my head around
.
Let me know either way.
Pam
You can check out Pams profile on Google+ here :https:// plus.google.com/u/0/115905635059
Even a google + profile to make it more real...... I then arranged a time for delivery and received.....
Booked it for Monday am, 9-10am. Great, I've just finished filling out the forms online and Parcel Force will handle payment as well,
you'll need cash. You should receive email notifications on how to proceed. Get back to me if you don't receive them and if you have any
queries, glad to help.
Pam
P.S. If not in your inbox check your junk or spam folder also.
Followed by....
Parcel Tracking details
==================
At the request of Pamela Hogan, this notice is to confirm that the following shipment is in transit.
Important delivery information
----------------------------------------------
Temporary parcel number: PBIE5569536882 *Pending-Not valid to track online*
Status: In progress(Arrived at delivery depot)
Ships to: N*****
**************
*************
*********
United Kingdom
*************
Payment required within 24 hours:
Instructions:
1. Find a corner shop, newsagent, convenience store, supermarket or outlet that has the PayPoint sign as you can see bellow:
2. Ask the shopkeeper for a £330.00 UKASH voucher.
3. Reply to this invoice directly with a readable scan or a photo of the UKASH receipt.
4. Our department will automatically validate your voucher and release the parcel out for delivery.
5. The delivery agent will call you on ************* 1 hour prior to delivery. You are able to inspect the contents and if satisfied you will need to
sign for it. If not, our agent will do a bank transfer and return the parcel as rejected.
Parcel Force Package Inspection Department
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in and accompanying this communication may be confidential and is intended solely for the use of the
intended recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient of this communication please delete and destroy all copies immediately.
Parcelforce Worldwide is a trading name of Royal Mail Group Ltd.
Parcelforce Worldwide's principal office is Lytham House, 25 Caldecotte Lake Drive, Milton Keynes, MK7 8LE.
Royal Mail Group VAT registration number: GB243170002
only when i looked on the ukash website and it states to only use the voucher online, never to email or telephone the number to anyone.
I then did some research and found similar scams.
beware as up to nearly the transaction process I was unaware, the timescale for emails and texts were over the course of 4 days, good spelling and
grammar.
http://www.smartideasuk.com
http://www.smartmapping.co.uk
HD CCTV
3D design solutions and integration
IP security systems
access control systems
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Wheels244
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| posted on 30/9/12 at 10:18 AM |
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They're getting better and better at this sort of thing aren't they.
Thieving B***ards.
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Slimy38
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| posted on 30/9/12 at 11:31 AM |
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Sorry if I'm being ignorant, but where's the 'scam' bit? Is it the use of a ukash voucher?
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skydivepaul
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| posted on 30/9/12 at 11:36 AM |
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the scam bit is where you reply to the parcelforce email with the ukash voucher number
the email looks like it has come from parcelforce but on closer inspection it goes to tracking-options@post.com
i checked out post.com which i think is just a front, the email with the voucher codes goes straight to the scammer
once he /she has the codes they can use them to buy from websites or top up cards etc.
once they are spent they are not traceable.
Parcelforce have no arrangement with ukash.
http://www.smartideasuk.com
http://www.smartmapping.co.uk
HD CCTV
3D design solutions and integration
IP security systems
access control systems
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bobinspain
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| posted on 30/9/12 at 01:17 PM |
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Paul,
I've seen a couple of attempts to do the same thing with a vehicle sale.
Your experience is worrying because the scammers are getting cute and complex and trying to muddy the waters in an attempt to make it not quite so
obvious what they're up to.
You sussed it before you parted with any money and I think that's the golden rule of any transaction: Unless you're dealing with a
known/reputable seller, never part with cash before you get your hands on the goods first.
I would also stick to the other main tenet: if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. (I would have thought £330 rock bottom for a
Gibson Les Paul. (only because I've seen 'em go for thousands on ebay)).
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skydivepaul
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| posted on 30/9/12 at 03:59 PM |
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The thing is the price wasnt a concern - or didnt set alarm bells ringing
the guitar was advertised as a gibson les paul studio, these go for between £600 - £900 new and £450 - £600 secondhand
it was stated on the advert that the guitar had some superficial marks, a crack in the laquer and a few chips out of it.
so i was more concerned that the damage would be more extensive than advertised.
The price of £330 is cheap but with it being less than perfect could be justified
http://www.smartideasuk.com
http://www.smartmapping.co.uk
HD CCTV
3D design solutions and integration
IP security systems
access control systems
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twybrow
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| posted on 1/10/12 at 08:07 PM |
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I am so glad you posted this - look what I just got!
Of course, nothing goes according to plan  Unfortunately I've just got called into the office so very busy till next week, hectic lifestyle.
However, back at work we have some shipments for large items with parcelforce all week long. Just thought it would save you time and hassle if
I'll send it along with them free of charge hihi company benefits  .
I asked around and it seems you can pay cash upon delivery/inspection. It's quite simple since they're able to wait for you to check it
out, if not as described they can just void the shipment with no extra charge.
If that's alright with you I'll need a name, address, contact number and also date&time suitable for the delivery.
Second option - if you want to pop in and collect you'll have to wait till next week or so when hopefully I'll get my head around.
Let me know either way. No need to worry If my reply is delayed since I'm just having fun working long hours ... or not )
Pam.
You can check out Pamela's profile on Google+ here : https://plus.google.com/100371012345724033565
On Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 10:18 AM, Tim wrote:
Pam - can my sister come and see this pushchair? There is no need for you to drop it off - I do not live in Exeter (but my sister does). I am happy to
ask her to come and see it at your house - if you are happy with this arrangement?
Tim
From: pamela75hogan@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2012 08:28:04 +0000
Subject: Re: Bugaboo Cameleon on Gumtree
To:
Hi Tim,
Don't know if it's been long since you've emailed, I've been out so couldn't follow up on my text message. Can't
promise anything but visiting my mum shortly, wouldn't mind making a drop off
If you'll send me your postcode I can check out on my satnav the distance to yours.
Reasonable price and accurate description, it's worth the money, no bad surprises. I won't go any lower.
Can be reached on (0797)--342--5052 low signal strength area but check emails regularly.
Ta,
Pam.
P.S. Will let you know before heading out, cash only please.
On Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 7:43 PM, Tim wrote:
Hi Pam,
Is your Bugaboo Cameleon still available for sale? I don't live locally, but my sister lives in Exeter, and if it is still available I would
like to see if I can arrange for her to come and take a look for me - would that be possible?
Many thanks,
Tim
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skydivepaul
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| posted on 1/10/12 at 08:12 PM |
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Glad to be of service
I have reported this to gumtree, ukash and actionfraud
i dont hold out much hope they will do anything but you never know.
One day they will get caught out
http://www.smartideasuk.com
http://www.smartmapping.co.uk
HD CCTV
3D design solutions and integration
IP security systems
access control systems
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JoelP
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| posted on 1/10/12 at 08:19 PM |
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saw this scam on the news the other day, ingenious And as far as i can tell, maybe not even illegal.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-19667657
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twybrow
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| posted on 1/10/12 at 09:01 PM |
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I have suggested the 'seller' send me their address, so I can send a deposit by cheque to secure the item! We will see just how stupid
they are!
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