How safe is it?

[Josey]

Hi guys,
I have recently had a camera up for sale and people contact me and are keen and ask for my bank details and say they will deposit money.
Is it absolutely safe to provide bank details to strangers? What if they have no intention of actually purchasing the item but simply want bank details for dodgy intentions?
Is it possible for someone to gain access to my account from bank details?

Paranoid? Maybe, but a few of these people have left me suspicious.

[SimonDP]

If the name/accent of the buyer sounds fishy, then rather be safe than sorry. banking details are easy to come by, but I suppose there are wasy of using it fraudulently even if they don't have your pin code for electronic access. I would suggest meeting the 'buyer' in person, then go with them to the bank and perform an eft at a teller.

[Josey]

Thanks Simon. Good advice.

[AstraPics]

Josey, I am sure you are aware of the most basic scam run by criminals, especially on forums like these, but for the sake of other forum readers who might not have, it goes like this...

Someone calls you and says they are "very interested" in what you have for sale. Usually it's someone with a foreign accent. For some reason I haven't figured, they also are always buying your item for someone else, not themselves, and they ALWAYS want it in a hurry. They will ask for your banking details and will then make a fraudulent deposit into your bank account. Your statement might show the funds, but they will still be blocked pending clearance. The scumbag will then hound you relentlessly saying they have paid and now want you to dispatch the goods immediately. Do not send anything until after the funds have cleared, even if this takes three days. Very often the funds do not clear and the amount is reversed out of your account by the bank. If you have already dispatched the goods, you are now scammed.

One way to trip up a scamster is to ask THEM about the equipment you are selling. Get a feel for whether they have the slightest knowledge about what the equipment is and what it does. If they sound very vague or uninformed it's extremely unlikely that they are genuine buyers.

Regarding giving out your bank details - I wouldn't do that until I am as convinced as I can be that I am dealing with a genuine client. Having said that, even if a criminal does get hold of your details, I don't really see how it benefits them much. Bank account information seems to be freely published all over the 'Net, generally by companies. Without the criminals having your card or PIN relating to that account, I don't see how they can access your funds, unless they have someone working on the inside, and if they do, they wouldn't need to ask you for your details because they would already have them.

[Josey]

AstraPics, yes, I have also since learned that if they have your cell number and your bank details they will then send an SMS to you as if it is from your bank confirming a deposit. You then send the stuff to them only to find out that nothing went into your account.
I have had 2 people showing interest but both of them are too quick to say they will deposit the cash. It is funny how your gut just tells you something is not right.
You can never be too careful!

[AstraPics]

OK, I hadn't heard the cell phone angle before. It's a clever one, and of course they already have that off the advert you placed.

If these people really get up your nose (like they do mine) then you must visit the Scambaiters site where you will laugh until the tears stream down your cheeks. Some hilarious reverse scams where he gets the dumb scammers to pay money into HIS account. Restores your sense of humour in a minute flat! I also find the nom-de-plumes like "Phil McCrackin" hilarious.

http://www.thescambaiter.com/

[Leo Theron]

Good advice given by previous posters…

I've had 'confirmation SMS' sent and buyer hounding me…

Bottom line: Do NOT let the equipment out of your hand UNLESS the money has been CLEARED (not seen) in your bank account.

My 'buyer' even provided a copy of ID Book and a Letterhead.

Confirmation SMS? ID? Letterhead? All false - off course!

And the scammer/buyer was a known crook - found him by name in a search.