I had to provide my member number, name, phone and address to the person transferring points to me prior to the transfer. So they know what membership to put the points in. I am not sure if I could have just provided it myself during a 3 way call with MS on the phone, rather than giving it to the other member and them making the phone call. The problem with that strategy may be because transfers are final transactions, payment occurs prior to the transfer. An element of trust and a contract is needed.
MS does now require the membership number of the account into which the points will be transferred. It is always wise to also have the name of the member receiving the transfer - since MS will also cross-reference that with the owner of the account. MS does not seem to be requesting the address of the receiving member, but that could also be useful to make sure the points go into the correct account.
Perhaps everyone who posts through the rent/trade board should have to supply a verified name and phone number even if they are not required to purchase a rental plan. I have rented my points here on the DIS in the past and I would not mind providing that information for the privilege of posting my points for rent. Of course, scammers are going to scam but as least it's a road bump. One that the scammer in question was obviously avoiding.
Holy cow! That takes real chutzpah.
MS does now require the membership number of the account into which the points will be transferred. It is always wise to also have the name of the member receiving the transfer - since MS will also cross-reference that with the owner of the account. MS does not seem to be requesting the address of the receiving member, but that could also be useful to make sure the points go into the correct account.
In the case reported in this thread, the poster/scammer had already been banned several times by using aliases. They created an alias and waited 6 months after meeting the posting requirement so that they did not need to provide a name and phone number required with a rental plan purchase. That username has not returned to the DIS since September, but has been banned.
They also created yet another username when OP reported the successful outcome and then even posted in this thread. That new username won't be posting any longer either but they were well on their way to meeting posting requirements again next summer.
Potential renters should ALWAYS review past posts of those offering their points, ask (and check) references, never send any $$$ until a reservation confirmation (in their name) has been received. (The only exception to that policy would be when requesting a reservation within 30 days of arrival since the member's points are placed in jeopardy unless they expire at the end of the current month.)
It is great to learn that Paypal did support the OP and provide some relief from an otherwise frustrating experience.
Many thanks to Cap.James for sharing his experience - both the bad but especially the good result!
Wow, if that person's post is still in the thread then it is pretty obvious who it is (EDITED: I was incorrect, see Doc's message below, so the information I commented on was about the wrong person and redacted)
The post had already been removed before I posted this morning, but the removed post was made on January 18. The poster registered 10 days earlier, a month later than this thread was started.
Ah, then my mistake. Thank you for correcting me on that.
Ah, then my mistake. Thank you for correcting me on that.
And also bravo to the Admin/Mod team for finding and removing the person. I know there is no way to find everyone out to cause trouble but I appreciate the efforts made in preventing it. There, hopefully that buys me some leniency the next time I get myself in a bit of trouble
(seriously though, thank you guys for all you do!)
Our jobs would be easier and less time consuming if everyone would.
