wire transfers safe?


I just got an offer from a new (zero feedback) Audiogoner from Brazil, who wants to pay by wire transfer from a US bank account, and wants me to ship to a friend in Texas. I'm inclined to trust him, but all this gives me pause.

Anyone know whether wire transfers can be "recalled" after deposit? I wouldn't want to ship only to have the payment recalled afterwards and no recourse other than in Brazil!
fvl

Showing 1 response by gs5556

Careful, be very careful. Once you give your routing and account number to me for example, with just a phone call or two I can set up payments to third parties by ACH Debit. This is the way you pay for things over the phone by check. Your bank NEVER calls you to confirm an over-the-phone payment to the cable company, do they?

Either get an ACH Debit block on your account - meaning you'll never be able to pay by phone - or set up a new account and close it soon as the wire transfer hits.

I have a feeling that the wired money will never show. The key here is that your Brazilian friend is using a US bank as international banks are not in the ACH Debit network.