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I sold an item on Ebay to person in Italy who wanted to pay by bank transfer. I gave all info inc IBAN/Swift code & haven't heard from him since.Scam?

by Curiouscat 13 March 2010 |

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I haven't sent the goods and the bank reasures me they can only pay money in & not take money out with the info they have (they do not have my security details). They obviously though just wanted by bank info so what is the scam? Could they set up a direct debit to withdraw funds from my account without my knowledge? Help please as I feel a little foolish for giving all my details so trustingly!

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212

SoftwareBear posted
change your bank account.
Posted on 13 March 2010 | Love 0 loves Report
272

Swarbs posted
They could try to set up direct debits and standing orders - they usually need a signature, but banks often aren't all that hot on checking. Do you have internet banking? If so, you should check to see if any DDs or standing orders have been created recently and tell your bank to cancel them. Of course now that you have warned your bank and they have told you the
fraudster can't get any money out of your account, you should be protected in case they actually do. Have you asked your bank to put this in writing? In general, if a fake DD is set up you will get the money refunded to you under the DD guarantee - all the scammer can really do is annoy you with the hassle of having to check statements and sort the problem out.
If you want to, you should be able to set up extra security with your bank, telling them not to accept any standing order or DD instructions without checking with you first. Although this could make it difficult for you if you try to pay bills or credit cards by DD and miss payment deadlines as a result.
Posted on 13 March 2010 | Love 1 love Report
804

MikeGG1 posted
Are you sure that the person was in Italy? The IBAN includes your sortcode and account number only disquised slightly. It could have been an attempt at identity theft here in UK.
However, they would need more information than that to set up anything legitimately.
Now that you have alerted your bank to possible problems, they should take more care, but maybe you have only warned them about Italy. It would be better to notify them in writing that they will be held liable for ANYTHING which doesn't have your signature or your PIN number.
Now might be a good time to change bank accounts if you have been contemplating it.
Mike
Posted on 13 March 2010 | Love 0 loves Report
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Curiouscat posted
Thank you all for your advice. I'm pretty sure it was Italy, Mike. That's where the Ebay account was registered.
I think I may change bank accounts although it does maybe seem a bit of a drastic measure. However, I am convinced that my bank details have been obtained for a fraudulent purpose.
I'm just wondering if I can change my bank account number with the bank I'm with? Is that a possibilty do you think?
Posted on 14 March 2010 | Love 0 loves Report
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AshishPatel23 posted
You can change your bank account, you will be effectively openning a new account. I very much doubt they will be able to withdraw any money fom your account, especially as you have told them.
Posted on 14 March 2010 | Love 0 loves Report
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MikeGG1 posted
Have you reported this matter to eBay? Unless there have been other problems with the Italian, they wouldn't do anything. However, if other incidents are reported, a larger pattern could emerge which would justify action.
Mike
Posted on 15 March 2010 | Love 0 loves Report
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Curiouscat posted
Hi Mike,
Yes, I've reported it to Ebay and they did say they would look into it but said they weren't allowed to tell me the results of their investifation. However, I have just noticed that the buyer is 'No longer registered with Ebay' which indicates that there were grounds for concern.
I am contacting my bank this morning to block anyone setting up a new direct debit or standing order. Do you think this will be sufficient? It seems such a hassle to have to change my account although I don't want to have to be checking it for the next couple of years either!
Thanks to one and all for your replies - it is good to know there is someone on my side. I don't feel quite so much the 'hunted' or the 'victim' now!
Posted on 15 March 2010 | Love 0 loves Report
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SmudgeButt posted
Curious - if all they have is your swift/IBAN and your name they have the essentially the same details as if you had written a cheque - the exception being that with a cheque they would also have a copy of your signature. I think using a cheque has a greater risk than supplying payment details in the way you have.
Take precautions certainly but chances are the person managed to find what they wanted closer to home and cheaper.
SB (who perhaps naively doesn't believe that everyone is a scammer)
Posted on 15 March 2010 | Love 1 love Report

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