PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Shiny is Good! => General Pinto Talk => Topic started by: emptynestersx2 on April 09, 2021, 09:32:49 PM

Title: Scam alert
Post by: emptynestersx2 on April 09, 2021, 09:32:49 PM
I have a add under wanted and got a call from a guy named Ralph Vingiola for a hood and fender got me for $200  supposedly his father passed away and parts were from his garage.
Title: Re: Scam alert
Post by: dga57 on April 10, 2021, 02:29:35 AM
Thanks for the warning! 
Title: Re: Scam alert
Post by: Dtmix on April 12, 2021, 09:30:47 AM
If you don't mind me asking, what exactly happened?  You sent the money and the parts did not arrive? If that's the case...I feel for you!  People in our hobby tends to be trustworthy and honest, and those scammers are probably aren't in the hobby for real.  Sigh. It is difficult as parts are something you need, and it is not necessarily going to be within your driving distance...so some trust have to be made. May I ask how the item was paid for?  That might be your recourse to get your money back?

This is one advantage of eBay, as the money is somewhat protected and credit cards are accepted, which adds another layer of security as the credit card company will void the charge and reimburse the buyer.  There are other ways such as PayPal, whereas the funds are in escrow and released once the item arrives.

Another trick I use is that I would ask a question that the person would have to actually go to the product to answer your question,  For example, you can ask if the steering rack has two or three mounting holes and request a picture. Another example is to ask for the part number to be photographed for verification.  Most scammers tends not to have the part, but "steal" pictures from other ads. That's why you have seen a picture of an identical car advertised by different sellers in different locations, and they do not respond when you ask for additional pictures.

Sigh, despite the loss, please don't give up on the hobby and your trust of others...trust but verify is the rule of thumb!  ;-)

Happy Motoring!
Dan
Title: Re: Scam alert
Post by: emptynestersx2 on April 12, 2021, 07:40:59 PM
The guy called me from my ad and was in a bit of a hurry which should have been a red flag the sent money through Walmart  and no parts.  Then had his phone disconnected I really don't see a recourse. So I'm SOL. I'm on a limited income so this hurt. Live and learn
Title: Re: Scam alert
Post by: 65ShelbyClone on June 05, 2021, 05:00:25 PM
Wanting you to wire cash is a sure sign of a scam. Only do that when you don't expect to get it back nor anything for it, like helping out family or something.
Also don't send money via PayPal as a "gift" just because someone wants to avoid the fees. There is no buyer protection that way and it's like wiring cash. It's also against PayPal policy for sellers to have a buyer cover PayPal fees, which I see a lot.