p.7 #1 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
ReneMurea wrote:
You do realize English might not be everyone's first language, don't you? Making spelling or grammar errors doesn't make me automatically a crook.
Of course I realize that. It doesn't automatically make you not one either. I was expressing my opinion, in response to the question in the earlier post, that improper use of the language is something that might trigger me to be a little more careful in dealing with a potential buyer. My prerogative to feel that way and state my opinion regarding that. I've sold stuff to folks where I needed google to translate their questions (and was happy to do so) so it's not like I won't deal with anyone that isn't perfect with the "King's English".
Bottom line is I've seen many scam attempts over the years on different sites and in most of them the language used in the listing is usually poor. Whether that is due to English not being the scammer's first language or not - I don't know or really care.
You can take whatever offense you want at me stating that but it doesn't change the fact that that has been my perception.
p.7 #2 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
It wasn't you. It wasn't a response to WTB ads either. I expressed my interested and ask whether seller can split the regular 3% paypal fees and then that is the response from seller.
Actually, these words do not make me feel it is a scam at all. I am just a bit undecided whether I should buy such a big and heavy lens for that much cash. Because it is a lens that used most for scams (70-200L II) and seller didn't send me the photos as I requested. So I think it may not worth the risk and I send a PM to seller saying that I want to back up the deal (I didn't really committed anything, just expressed my interest at that point). The seller even pmed me back saying "Thanks for the updates".
And the next day, I received another PM from the seller saying that he does not have anything to sale, his account is hacked and don't pay anything.
MikeW wrote:
That wasn't me was it?
but seriously, what made you believe it was a scam?
p.7 #3 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
ReneMurea wrote:
You do realize English might not be everyone's first language, don't you? Making spelling or grammar errors doesn't make me automatically a crook.
+1
English isn't my first language and I am trying my best.
p.7 #5 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
sienarot wrote:
Ugh, this really pisses me off. We have hard enough time trying to convince our neighbors south of the border to deal with us and this happens.
Don't worry canada, we still love you
p.7 #6 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
Thank you for the alert. I also didn’t know about accounts getting hijacked here. I recently started visiting this board again and even made a recent purchase.
I’m so very sorry to hear about the victims being scammed. This totally sucks. I bought a Nikon lens from a fellow FM member from the U.S. recently. I always express my appreciation to those who sell to Canadians because of this reason (potential scammers, delivery issues, etc.).
I don’t have much B & S feedback here, just the one transaction.
I do, however, have 100% stellar feedback at another photography forum (Fourthirdsphoto.com), of which I send the link to the seller, and also at eBay (all as a buyer — I don’t sell) — both accounts under the same username, pmbpro, and each indicate when I’d registered with the sites. I’ve always paid by PayPal, connected to a credit card, *never* as a “gift”, and as soon as the item is available I pay within minutes. The most common pattern of feedback I get is “prompt, fast payment, good communication”, etc..
Being a ‘new’ participant to B & S on FM, will such external feedback still make much of a positive influence to sellers/buyers here?
I’m just concerned that this incident and others will make it even worse for honest buyers and sellers. I’m also not so sure I can even build positive feedback here if more Americans refuse to sell across the border.
p.7 #8 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
Gotta love this.
"His location is Canada!!!"
That's like pointing to everyone in the U.S. (regardless of state and/or city) and just saying "Your location is in the U.S.A.!!!!" We do have provinces up here just like there are states down in the America.
Scammers occur everywhere - Canada, U.S. (remember all the bad things people used to say about Brooklyn not so many years ago?), Nigeria, France, UK, etc. etc. etc.
Take precautions - look at the feedback - KNOW your seller (as much as possible), cross reference with other sites (many people don't just sell here but also on Ebay, or Rangefinderforum or other sites) and look at the person's online history. Do as much as you can to avoid getting scammed. As an FYI - "bank transfers" are the dumbest way of transferring funds these days. The costs at both ends negates the transaction in my opinion (having worked for a bank up here in Canuckland). Stick with the "lower" fees of PayPal (regardless of one's hatred for that company)
p.7 #9 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
sienarot wrote:
Ugh, this really pisses me off. We have hard enough time trying to convince our neighbors south of the border to deal with us and this happens.
Why would this really change anything? Scammers have been around a long time on both sides of the border, and using the Canadian bank money transfer system is just the latest wrinkle... and it doesn't affect people in other countries since they can't use the EMT system anyway.
p.7 #10 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
dcsang wrote:
The costs at both ends negates the transaction in my opinion (having worked for a bank up here in Canuckland). Stick with the "lower" fees of PayPal (regardless of one's hatred for that company)
An EMT currently costs $1.50 for the sender - or it's free with some banking packages like the one I have. That can save a lot of money on a large transaction.
p.7 #12 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
molson wrote:
Why would this really change anything? Scammers have been around a long time on both sides of the border, and using the Canadian bank money transfer system is just the latest wrinkle... and it doesn't affect people in other countries since they can't use the EMT system anyway.
It doesn't change anything in reality, however a lot of sellers in my experience won't deal with Canadians because of the perceived complication of cross border transactions. We've all heard these at one time or another:
"I don't want to ship to Canada because it's extra work" - You mean signing the sticker declaring the value of your package?
"I don't want to ship to Canada because I don't want to get stuck with the extra fees" - You mean the fees that I have to pay when it arrives at my front door?
"I don't want to ship to Canada because shipping costs more" - But I've offered to pay the difference!
"I don't want to ship to Canada because if you're scamming me, my package is gone after it passes the border" - But I have years of positive feedback!
Incidents like this can be just another reason why some people won't want the "hassle" of dealing with us. It's just "easier" and "safer" to keep the sale localized within CONUS, no exceptions. I've been fortunate enough to convinced more than a few sellers to start selling to Canadians, but I still miss out on a lot of great buys because some people flat out refuse to sell to us.
I do think it's a great idea of having a sort of registered address associated with FM accounts though. My only request is if we can add more than one address. Since so many people won't ship to Canada, I've resorted to having packages sent to my friend in the states to hold onto until I visit next. I completely agree that it does sound fishy when I ask "My profile says I live in Canada, but can you ship the package to this address in the states?" but it's a completely valid request that a few members were willing to comply with Besides, some people may want to add both work and home addreses or an alternative address.
p.7 #15 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
Mike W brings up a very good point. I had what could have been an attempt in a response to a WTB. Whether it was, or not, I will never know, but I would have as soon not had the communication with a new member with zero posts that either PM'd me or emailed me, so there was no trace of their communication to the forum community. I put strong requirements on him, and he ran without giving me proof I required.
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p.7 #16 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
I put out a WTB and had someone respond with a pretty good deal. It didn't raise any red flags for being a crazy low price cause it was only about $100 cheaper than I had seen the body go for before. The seller, however, did not have any feedback and only a few posts. This had me worried until he gave me his phone number and agreed to send photos including ones with his username date and time written on a paper with the camera. He then gave me his Facebook link and even agreed to meet face to face and show me the camera over FaceTime. On top of all that he accepts PayPal. So here's the question- is there still any way this guy could scam me? I know who he is now, I have all of his information. Oh and he's not from Canada and his phone number matches where he said he was from. The reason I'm asking is because I got a message from Fred telling me this guy was being investigated for fraud but didn't tell me why or what he had done or give me proof of any kind. Who should I trust?
p.7 #18 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
Kylefornia wrote:
I put out a WTB and had someone respond with a pretty good deal. It didn't raise any red flags for being a crazy low price cause it was only about $100 cheaper than I had seen the body go for before. The seller, however, did not have any feedback and only a few posts. This had me worried until he gave me his phone number and agreed to send photos including ones with his username date and time written on a paper with the camera. He then gave me his Facebook link and even agreed to meet face to face and show me the camera over FaceTime. On top of all that he accepts PayPal. So here's the question- is there still any way this guy could scam me? I know who he is now, I have all of his information. Oh and he's not from Canada and his phone number matches where he said he was from. The reason I'm asking is because I got a message from Fred telling me this guy was being investigated for fraud but didn't tell me why or what he had done or give me proof of any kind. Who should I trust?...Show more →
If you get an email from the guy who started this site (and thread) stating that the guy you're dealing with has a suspect history, that would override anything your seller promised, including the delivery of his firstborn child.
p.7 #19 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
tobicus wrote:
If you get an email from the guy who started this site (and thread) stating that the guy you're dealing with has a suspect history, that would override anything your seller promised, including the delivery of his firstborn child.
p.7 #20 · Canada Bank Transfer (EMT) Scam. Warning!
Kylefornia wrote:
I put out a WTB and had someone respond with a pretty good deal. It didn't raise any red flags for being a crazy low price cause it was only about $100 cheaper than I had seen the body go for before. The seller, however, did not have any feedback and only a few posts. This had me worried until he gave me his phone number and agreed to send photos including ones with his username date and time written on a paper with the camera. He then gave me his Facebook link and even agreed to meet face to face and show me the camera over FaceTime. On top of all that he accepts PayPal. So here's the question- is there still any way this guy could scam me? I know who he is now, I have all of his information. Oh and he's not from Canada and his phone number matches where he said he was from. The reason I'm asking is because I got a message from Fred telling me this guy was being investigated for fraud but didn't tell me why or what he had done or give me proof of any kind. Who should I trust?...Show more →
Hands down, Fred! I also looked at your wtb post and your offering to pay via "paypal gift" is a BIG risk. Paypal will do nothing to protect you, if your purchase goes wrong.
This totally sucks. I bought a Nikon lens from a fellow FM member from the U.S. recently. I always express my appreciation to those who sell to Canadians because of this reason (potential scammers, delivery issues, etc.). 
