Google Got Me! | Gripevine
I found an ad for a 2002 GMC Envoy on Craigslist for $1,970 and contacted the seller for purchase.
She stated she wanted to use Google Checkout for the transaction to protect both of us during the process. I sent the money to Google, who then sent me an email stating they had received my payment of $1,970 and that it would take 24-48 hours to process.
Google would then contact us both and the seller could proceed to ship the vehicle, I would have 10 days to inspect it and if I agreed to keep it, Google would then release the funds to the seller. If I chose not to keep it, I could send the vehicle back and Google would return my money.
Needless to say after receiving my funds, and sending confirmation, I have yet to hear anything about this vehicle. Nothing about processing, shipping, nothing...I want my money back! This is unacceptable!
Service Griped About:
Google Checkout
Comments
Unfortunately, it sounds a lot like a scam I came across while I was looking for a vehicle months ago. If you were asked to send money by Western Union or some other money service, it is likely that the money did not go to google at all. The web site you were directed to was likely made to 'look like' it was google. These scams are run constantly on craigslist, and if you don't know how to spot them, you can unfortunately find yourself a target of them.
Yes, I sent the money thru Western Union. So I'm just screwed???
WOW.. SUCKS.. IM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.. BUT ONE THING ABOUT SCAMMERS.. THEY WILL ALWAYS BE BEHIND THE 8 BALL.. YOU WILL BE ALRIGHT. IN 6 MOS. YOU WILL BACK ON YOUR FEET NOT WORRIES..BUT THE SKABS WHO STOLE YOUR MONEY WILL BE SEEKING OUT THE NEXT VICTIM.. LUCKILY SIGHTS LIKE THIS WILL MAKE THEIR JOB HARD...
I wish I could give you better news. All I can say is to take it as a learning experience. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. If I were in your situation, I would try contacting google and craigslist, maybe they can point you toward some resources that can help. Contacting local law enforcement might well be a dead end, but it probably wouldn't hurt to try. It seems really sad to me that these scammers can pull this kind of stuff, and somehow sleep at night. I really wish I could be more helpful.