Thread: Scam Alert

Gumtree scams are easy to foil. Cash when you pickup only. If you can't get there because "you are working away". You miss out.

??
don't you need the purchaser's drivers licence details so that you can transfer the registration ??

Originally Posted by ian

??
don't you need the purchaser's drivers licence details so that you can transfer the registration ??

Thanks Ian, I thought that I only had to complete the 'sellers' part and hand it to the buyer who would complete the form and apply for the registration to be transferred.

I had better check with Vic Roads.

Bob

But if the "buyer" is using a "courier" I think you (the seller) remain liable for all fines, etc until the "buyer" transfers the registration.
So, it's in your interests to be able to positively identify the "buyer".

Just checked Vic Roads website.

If a vehicle has been sold, given as a gift or otherwise disposed of, and will be garaged in Victoria, the buyer must tell VicRoads of its transfer within 14 days of taking possession of the vehicle.

Part 1 - Seller must provide roadworthy certificate, if required

Part 2 - Seller must

Fill in the ‘seller’ section of the application for transfer of registration form [PDF 368 Kb]
.

Note: You are required to inform the buyer in writing whether the vehicle is entered on any Written-off Vehicle Register, either in Victoria or interstate. This can be done by ticking ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in the appropriate section of the transfer form.


Give the buyer a receipt as proof of purchase and ownership of the vehicle. The receipt should be dated and include:

• your name, address and signature
• the buyers name and address, and
• vehicle’s details such as Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), engine number, make and model.

The buyer is responsible for submitting the application for transfer of registration form and Certificate of Roadworthiness to VicRoads.

This is pretty much as I remembered it to be. Bold emphasis is by me for clarification. It would appear that a caravan / trailer is exempt, but I will check at thier office later in the week.

Bob

You have the option to let them know about the sale and supply details of the buyer, or you do in Qld and NSW.

At the very least I'd want to site the drivers licence of the buyer and note the details because as stated above if you can't prove who bought it from you and they get an infringement guess who the state will come after for $$$.

Unfortunately gumtree etc bring us into contact with a general cross section of the population, not just the sort of people you'd normally deal with, and lots of them are insane.

Originally Posted by damian

You have the option to let them know about the sale and supply details of the buyer, or you do in Qld and NSW.

I did not see an option to do so on the Vic Roads website.

The position regarding infringement and subsequent fines is probably not so significant in respect to a caravan or trailer, but in the case of a car or truck, there could be significant infringement costs incurred in the 14 days between selling the vehicle and the buyer actually lodging the transfer papers. I wonder if 'someone' actually checks all infringement notices to ensure they weren't incurred after the vehicle was sold and before the transfer of ownership is processed.
Might raise that question when I am at the Vic Roads office in a couple of days - not counting on getting a definitive answer though.

Bob

[QUOTE=Oldgreybeard;2106957]I have a caravan advertised for sale on Gumtree. This morning I received an email with a number of questions which appeared quite reasonable
"I'm interested in the "1970s Viscount Pop-top Caravan" ad you've listed on Gumtree.


I have a few questions:

1. Are there any major issues with it?No – it has been regularly maintained
2. Has it been checked by a professional in the past 6-12 months?New brakes fitted in 2015
Fridge serviced and 12v / vibration switch fitted 2016
Water tank, hand pump and breather tube fitted 2017
3. Reply via [email protected] only for fast response"

This scam surfaces in many iterations.
The key point is they pay you too much, usually from stolen credit card details, oops, sorry made a mistake, and ask you to pay back the diff in cash or credit back.
I have seen it in Rentals, Student accommodation, car sales, motor bikes, and anything which has a bit of value in it, and a bloke I knew got done for a laser printer, but the idiot sent it off to Africa, dumbass. (greed will getya every time) In printing I used to get a few from Africa from Pastor (insert name here) looking for 1 trillion leaflets (exaggeration mine) printed blah, blah, and delivered via his transport company. I needed to pay the courier and had to add the cost to my bill.

I've had a couple like that for my woodwork. They come in via my website. Easy to pick, as they want to buy multiple units and don't usually specify what it is they want - just "your work". I don't even bother replying.

Originally Posted by Oldgreybeard

The position regarding infringement and subsequent fines is probably not so significant in respect to a caravan or trailer, but in the case of a car or truck, there could be significant infringement costs incurred in the 14 days between selling the vehicle and the buyer actually lodging the transfer papers.

don't know about Victoria, but in NSW "red light running" and intersection speed cameras snap the rear number plate -- i.e. that on the trailer or caravan.

When the red light running cameras were first introduced in Sydney, U-Haul (which at the time had a fleet of trailer for hire from every third garage) discovered that a significant number of "hires" were not documented in their system.

I wonder if 'someone' actually checks all infringement notices to ensure they weren't incurred after the vehicle was sold and before the transfer of ownership is processed.

AFAIK, the notice is sent to you and you have to prove that you have disposed of the vehicle to a real person.

Originally Posted by AlexS

I've had a couple like that for my woodwork. They come in via my website. Easy to pick, as they want to buy multiple units and don't usually specify what it is they want - just "your work". I don't even bother replying.

AlexS, I DO like your work!

Typical scam. I've had a couple of seemingly genuine initial phone messages then the email follow up now when advertising vehicles. Almost the same message word for word, only the persons name and employer details change. They usually only want to communicate via email, no phone access available where they are stationed, I guess they haven't heard of Skype etc.

Once I receive their template scam email I respond with some rather crude Aussie language. I've also been known to waste phone scammers time and love getting to the point when the scammer realizes that I'm "pi$$ing them around" and then listening to an Indian accent trying very hard to swear at me in "Aussie."

Originally Posted by woodPixel

AlexS, I DO like your work!

Careful, his hat won't fit now.

Originally Posted by Oldgreybeard

I did not see an option to do so on the Vic Roads website.

Bob

I don't know. In the past I've just taken the paperwork into the office and sorted it out over the counter.

And I've never lived in victoria...