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I saw this ad on Gumtree last week and was tempted enough to text the number, then phoned it on two later occasions. Shouldn't have been so surprised to hear it ring out until an answer service kicked in:
[url= http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/2012-cannondale-bad-boy-fatty-hybrid-bike-top-specs-similar-to-gt-carrera-specialized-cube-trek--east-london-350/112088475 ]null[/url]
Now, I'm further unsurprised to have heard nothing back. Upon reflection, the photos are a bit too 'staged' for gumtree.
Paranoid delusions then got me wondering about the possible motivation the seller might have for placing the ad, like phishing for phone numbers for example. I then stuck his mobile number in a search engine and the only other thing that came up was, lo and behold, another ad for a bike on Gumtree! Different month, different bike, different reason for sale but very similar wording and very similar 'bargain' price. See for yourself:
[url= http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/2012-specialized-s-works-venge-road-bike-similar-ribble-boardman-cannondale-cube-felt-bianchi-fuji/111973316 ]null[/url]
Does anyone else find something not quite right about these ads? Are there any known scams surrounding the harvesting of mobile phone numbers via this kind of method? Should I be concerned that two of the deadly sins - greed and lust - may have led me into some technological ID theft?
Worried, Glasgow
"Those Who Know About Bikes Will No This Is A Very High Spec Bike And Can Not Be Found Selling For Less Than 600 Anywere"
Nice Del Boy wording there 😉
The caps on every word is odd too. Hard to say for certain though.
Ask for the serial number(s), but then if he's not answering it's kind of odd how he expects to sell it. I've not heard of phishing for numbers in this way but maybe possible. Then again he says don't text, call, but text would be enough to get your number.
Alarm bells for me though -
Bike on Gumtree (that's a 50% guarantee it's nicked 😉 )
East London
Dodgy spelling
Weird listing
Doesn't sound like a bloke selling his own bike
Hi Deadkenny
I had similar thoughts on the wording and delivery, but considered the contact name he gave and was willing to forgive on the grounds that English may not be his first language.
The serial number idea is sound, but I don't think I'll be hearing from him - directly, at least - to ask. Plus, as you said, I agree that request of a text would be enough to get a number.
Yup. Alarm bells. I'll contact my phone network provider and ask them to keep an eye open for usage different to my usual pattern.
Cheers