Just had a weird call from Autotrader... scam?
Discussion
I am currently selling my car. I received a call from a number 0118 780 6805. The giveaway is that it started the call with "This call is from someone is interested in buying your car... putting you through now"
It was a very posh sounding lady who called me.
She told me that I had been double charged and she jokingly said "that's very kind of you but we just need to refund you".
I said ok, cool, happy to take the refund.
While she was on the phone I went to my Monzo account, I could see no double charge.
She asked for name and address, I gave it seeing as they can get this anyway even if it was a scam.
She then asked how I'd like to be refunded. I said just refund back to the card.
She said ok, I just need the longer card number to send the money back to.
I said don't you have the facility to refund me?
She said we don't hold card details on file. I have an online store, I know you can refund anyone whichever payment system you're using.
I said sorry I won't give out my card number.
She said how about I call you from our customer service number that you see on the website.
I said ok cool, and she did.
I thought this might be number masking, so I said give me credit on the account. She said you're not registered as a trader so I can't, it has to be to your bank.
She said I can call you from the Manchester office number if you're still not convinced.
I said no, I will call you back.
She said are you sure, you may be on hold for 20mins or more due to short staff due to covid.
I said I'll do that.
She immediately cut me off as if she'd given up and about to call someone else.
Going to call customer service now to see if this was real but thought I'd get a thread up immediately to warn people.
It was a very posh sounding lady who called me.
She told me that I had been double charged and she jokingly said "that's very kind of you but we just need to refund you".
I said ok, cool, happy to take the refund.
While she was on the phone I went to my Monzo account, I could see no double charge.
She asked for name and address, I gave it seeing as they can get this anyway even if it was a scam.
She then asked how I'd like to be refunded. I said just refund back to the card.
She said ok, I just need the longer card number to send the money back to.
I said don't you have the facility to refund me?
She said we don't hold card details on file. I have an online store, I know you can refund anyone whichever payment system you're using.
I said sorry I won't give out my card number.
She said how about I call you from our customer service number that you see on the website.
I said ok cool, and she did.
I thought this might be number masking, so I said give me credit on the account. She said you're not registered as a trader so I can't, it has to be to your bank.
She said I can call you from the Manchester office number if you're still not convinced.
I said no, I will call you back.
She said are you sure, you may be on hold for 20mins or more due to short staff due to covid.
I said I'll do that.
She immediately cut me off as if she'd given up and about to call someone else.
Going to call customer service now to see if this was real but thought I'd get a thread up immediately to warn people.
Edited by AlexNJ89 on Saturday 10th October 18:25
The Mad Monk said:
Scam?
Somewhere between possibly and probably.
Ring them back on their official printed number - On A DIFFERENT Phone. I apologise for the capitals.
As I said above, all of their offices are closed.Somewhere between possibly and probably.
Ring them back on their official printed number - On A DIFFERENT Phone. I apologise for the capitals.
The start of the call also said "This person is calling you as they're interested in buying your car".
I'm 100% sure it was a scam.
This is going to fool A LOT of people, especially as she was so well spoken.
Scam. The relevant point is they want your card number. If their 'systems' had automatically picked up a double charge, they'd just as easily have made an automatic refund without having to talk to you.
It's quite surprising how quickly these scammers pick up a tel number from adverts - having recently advertised on a different site (not AT) I received a call from 'accident scammers' within a few minutes. Changed the number and the same thing happened again. Peasants.
It's quite surprising how quickly these scammers pick up a tel number from adverts - having recently advertised on a different site (not AT) I received a call from 'accident scammers' within a few minutes. Changed the number and the same thing happened again. Peasants.
TarquinMX5 said:
Scam. The relevant point is they want your card number. If their 'systems' had automatically picked up a double charge, they'd just as easily have made an automatic refund without having to talk to you.
It's quite surprising how quickly these scammers pick up a tel number from adverts - having recently advertised on a different site (not AT) I received a call from 'accident scammers' within a few minutes. Changed the number and the same thing happened again. Peasants.
Yep, this one was very very believable.It's quite surprising how quickly these scammers pick up a tel number from adverts - having recently advertised on a different site (not AT) I received a call from 'accident scammers' within a few minutes. Changed the number and the same thing happened again. Peasants.
The fact that they could call from specific numbers was scary.
ChrisH72 said:
I thought Autotrader masked your number?
When I advertised my car earlier this year I didn't get any scam calls. But I'm sure the enquiries I had all started with the automated message stating someone was interested before it connected me with the prospective buyer.
They asked for data protection purposes for me to confirm the phone number on their system, they then called me back via the official AutoTrader number so it was unmasked.When I advertised my car earlier this year I didn't get any scam calls. But I'm sure the enquiries I had all started with the automated message stating someone was interested before it connected me with the prospective buyer.
Old thread but still relevant. Had exactly the same call today. I foolishly gave out most details but at the point in which she requested how my name was presented on the card I realised it wasn't right and said I'd call the office. She warned me of the waiting times, but I said it was fine. I should have realised it was a scam when she asked me how much I paid? I too checked my account during the call and no double payment. Card now cancelled. What is wrong with some. people. Disgusting way to make a living.
Makes your piss boil.
I had a strange one a few weeks ago that didn’t sit right with me.
Several emails asking is it still available and nothing else.
Then a call from the guy that wants to transfer the money before even asking about the car.
Exchanged some pleasantries but didn’t like the situation so ignored from that point on.
Some more emails received asking is it still available.
Very strange on quite a low value car.
I had a strange one a few weeks ago that didn’t sit right with me.
Several emails asking is it still available and nothing else.
Then a call from the guy that wants to transfer the money before even asking about the car.
Exchanged some pleasantries but didn’t like the situation so ignored from that point on.
Some more emails received asking is it still available.
Very strange on quite a low value car.
jafarrell said:
Old thread but still relevant. Had exactly the same call today. I foolishly gave out most details but at the point in which she requested how my name was presented on the card I realised it wasn't right and said I'd call the office. She warned me of the waiting times, but I said it was fine. I should have realised it was a scam when she asked me how much I paid? I too checked my account during the call and no double payment. Card now cancelled. What is wrong with some. people. Disgusting way to make a living.
Yep, she's very well spoken so it's very believable.For some reason your brain ignores the "Someone is interested in your vehicle"
They need to update that automated message to make people beware of scams.
I have a car for sale on Car & Classic. Had a load of emails, some asking pertinent questions others the F/B style "is it still available"
Have send additional pics to some. Wondering now if they are using them for a scam!?
One phone enquiry starts something like "beware of scams etc etc" then the person at the other end starts to speak. In discussion he sounds genuine.
Another email I get is:
Hello, https://www.carandclassic.com/car/Cxxxxxxx Good Afternoon Sir/Madame, And I have now continued to call the disconnected number that you have listed as well as having emailed three (5) times now. Please let me know when you are available to speak, on 07414 xxxxxx. Best Regards, Mark 07414 xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx@keromail.com
(I've blanked numbers)
Now the person keeps telling me he's calling me but the number is disconnected yet someone else has rang it without a problem and I've tried it a couple of times and it rings in.
Another lady from the London area has asked for my mobile so her mechanic can call me. Why not ring the number in the ad?
Maybe I'm just too suspicious....
Have send additional pics to some. Wondering now if they are using them for a scam!?
One phone enquiry starts something like "beware of scams etc etc" then the person at the other end starts to speak. In discussion he sounds genuine.
Another email I get is:
Hello, https://www.carandclassic.com/car/Cxxxxxxx Good Afternoon Sir/Madame, And I have now continued to call the disconnected number that you have listed as well as having emailed three (5) times now. Please let me know when you are available to speak, on 07414 xxxxxx. Best Regards, Mark 07414 xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx@keromail.com
(I've blanked numbers)
Now the person keeps telling me he's calling me but the number is disconnected yet someone else has rang it without a problem and I've tried it a couple of times and it rings in.
Another lady from the London area has asked for my mobile so her mechanic can call me. Why not ring the number in the ad?
Maybe I'm just too suspicious....
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