Paypal / Ebay Help needed (inadvertantly bought a stolen item)

[Stereodude]

So, I've been notified by a Police Detective that I may have unknowingly bought a stolen item from a seller on ebay. I need to confirm the serial number when I get home tonight.

I assume that I will have to return the item and I will be out the $184.41 I paid for the item. I am still within the 45 day window for the transaction so I can file a dispute with ebay. I also paid via paypal from my credit card, so I assume I can also dispute the charge that way.

Has anyone ever had to deal with this and have some tips, or have any suggestions on the process / procedures I should follow? :scratchchin:

Thanks!

[Drunkonjack]

It might be a scam . The Police might be in on it. They sell stolen stuff gat the money then take the stuff back.

[Stereodude]

I suppose that's also a possibility. I won't be doing anything until I see real paperwork, not just an e-mail from a someone saying they're a police detective (though the e-mail addy / domain seems to check out).

[Mike4AU]

Tell them to communicate to you in writing, on department letterhead...period.

[Mep]

You can also check their local police department to make sure the guy is real. Then call him directly at the police department. Return email addresses can be faked, otherwise I would have a nasty habit of sending myself spam emails.

[Sandbagger]

yea I would look the city up that the detective is representing then get the number from their( not the email) then call the dept and ask to talk to the detective

[m-fine]

Dispute the charge with eBay/Paypal first. Once you get your money back, return the item. Paypal claims to have buyer protection now, so they should help you fairly quickly.

[dane]

Tell them to communicate to you in writing, on department letterhead...period.

You can also check their local police department to make sure the guy is real. Then call him directly at the police department. Return email addresses can be faked, otherwise I would have a nasty habit of sending myself spam emails.

I like both of these approaches. Something this official should never have been kicked off via email in the first place but by letter or phone, IMO..

..dane

[edward]

I like both of these approaches. Something this official should never have been kicked off via email in the first place but by letter or phone, IMO..

..dane

Iagree with Dane both approaches are good
also do not give personal info until
you know who you are talking/ communicating
with
best of luck

[Fancypants]

Pending this is a legitimate policeman, and a legitimate stolen good, as someone with experience disputing a purchase with eBay in the past, I would consider disputing it with your CREDIT CARD COMPANY. I was trying to sell a very expensive laptop a few years ago, and TWICE someone hit "buy it now" with no intentions of paying. All eBay really did was facilitate an interface for communications with the "buyer" and didn't really enforce didly squat.

My recommendation is to dispute it with the credit card company because more than likely they will credit you the amount spent and then the ball is in their court regarding if they want to pursue the ~ $180.

[Mike4AU]

+1...and do it now...don't wait...and dispute with eBay, PayPal...cover yourself.

[alhull]

PayPal was ok for me

I recently had an eBay issue where 3 items I won at auction from 1 seller were paid for using my PayPal, and then suddenly the seller was "no longer registered on eBay". ?!?!?

I tried email to the seller, etc, no joy. Ended up opening 3 disputes (3 items) with PayPal for non-delivery of goods and within 3-4 days I had all my money refunded. I'm a happy camper.

[Ray3]

You should also consider developing a plan to spend quality time with a 300 lb. roomate named Bubba in a very small space for the next few years. :snaggletooth: :biglaugh:

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I like both of these approaches. Something this official should never have been kicked off via email in the first place but by letter or phone, IMO..

..dane

I don't know - if it was MY stuff that was stolen I'd sure prefer the police to use email to get the message out FAST rather than snail-mail. Following up with official police paperwork to provide historical proof for insurance and what-not is appropriate, but I'd be ticked off if I found out after the fact that they had a chance to get something done and it wallowed while waiting for USPS.

The minute I receive such a notification from the police, though, I'd be forwarding it to both eBay and PayPal to inform them of the potential of having been involved in the sale of stolen goods. No reputable establishment wants to be associated with that and the earlier you inform them the better the odds are that they can not only assist you but either recover the funds or at least track them and provide that info to the appropriate authorities.

Good luck, I hope it works out.

[scout]

I would definitely double check the authenticity of that email. I just got an odd email a few days ago about an item I bought on eBay. The email said that the seller's account had been hacked that that I might have a problem with the transaction and that I should contact PayPal at once. I waited instead and the item came on time, just as described...