Not sure if this is a scam or a time waster

[Annew]

I had a query for my last remaining August week. Punter gave me a telephone number and 2 email addresses and asked me to contact him any time day or night to confirm availability.

After a couple of emails back & forth he confirmed that he wanted to book and he would send me a building society cheque by special delivery. I'm not happy with building society cheques (a friend was victim of a fraud using fake cheques) and I was out of the country at the time, so couldn't sign for special delivery, so I asked the chap to make a direct transfer to my account - My own building society is able to do this and I presume others are - using the lateness of the booking as the reason.

I've heard nothing from this chap since, despite a couple of emails and the mobile number he gave me does not work.

Could just be someone wasting time.......but I have a feeling!

[kendalcottages]

Sounds like a scam to me...

[Nemo]

Yes, I know the uncomfortable feeling we get as the time gets nearer and you haven't filled the week. Never mind, there's still time for a genuine enquiry and I would definitely insist on a bank transfer. The banks are starting to up their game; I have had several transfers made now (within UK) that have gone through almost instantly.

[joddle]

Many bank are now using the new "instant transfer facility" which means the transfers get through inthe UK in just 2 hours - sometimes a lot less. Even transfers to OS banks are much more rapid. Several of mine recently from the UK to Spain have been made in just a few minutes.

[Big Sis..]

Thats interesting Joddle

and could be useful, which banks particularly?

[Lesblancs]

Virtually all of them BS. I only accept bank transfers to my UK bank account (easier as I am in France) and I have only had one payment all year which took 3 days, the rest were immediate.
Interestingly though I was able to do an immediate transfer to his bank to return the sec dep

Bobby

[joddle]

Thats interesting Joddle

and could be useful, which banks particularly?

Barclays and Halifax for sure - Lloyds I am pretty sure are the same - dont know about the others though although from the web and abouve post it seems all the big UK banks are now doing it.

[barbersdrove]

I've had similar and directed him to book via our online booking system which takes the money straight away from their credit card. Nothing since!