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Possible stolen coin purchased on eBay
SpikeInPhilly
Posts: 63 ✭✭✭
I'm slowly building my coin collection, and last month I decided to focus on Lincoln cents, MS66 RD. eBay has been working out well for me, and I've been picking up some nice looking coins for well under PCGS Price Guide prices (and I expect that's normal). I've also started adding the purchases into PCGS's online registry service by certification number.
While adding newps to the registry, I came across one coin that was listed under another user. I selected the option to send an automated email to that user. This email requests the current owner release the coin from his or her registry so it can be added to mine. I was contacted by an employee of Collectors Universe because the current owner is reporting the coin as stolen. I gave the employee permission to release my contact information, and I received an email from the individual who currently lists the coin in his registry. The email explained his collection was stolen several months ago and he's leaving the coins in his registry to see where they turn up in order to file a police report.
(Perhaps this individual reads these forums... and if so, perhaps some other members here know about his situation...)
I'm happy to help the user get to the bottom of this, but is there anything I might not be considering? Does eBay have a policy for situations like these? How do I know this individual truly had his collection stolen? I'm generally a trusting person, but that has gotten me into trouble before. Why wouldn't a police report be filed immediately? Can you just enter certificate numbers into the registry regardless of whether the coin is in your possession? (I think the answer to that is yes -- but what would stop people from entering a bunch of certificate numbers and contacting anyone else who enters them? I don't *think* that's what's happening here, but it seems to be a flaw in the system.)
I wouldn't want to keep definitive stolen property within my collection. What is the appropriate course of action?
While adding newps to the registry, I came across one coin that was listed under another user. I selected the option to send an automated email to that user. This email requests the current owner release the coin from his or her registry so it can be added to mine. I was contacted by an employee of Collectors Universe because the current owner is reporting the coin as stolen. I gave the employee permission to release my contact information, and I received an email from the individual who currently lists the coin in his registry. The email explained his collection was stolen several months ago and he's leaving the coins in his registry to see where they turn up in order to file a police report.
(Perhaps this individual reads these forums... and if so, perhaps some other members here know about his situation...)
I'm happy to help the user get to the bottom of this, but is there anything I might not be considering? Does eBay have a policy for situations like these? How do I know this individual truly had his collection stolen? I'm generally a trusting person, but that has gotten me into trouble before. Why wouldn't a police report be filed immediately? Can you just enter certificate numbers into the registry regardless of whether the coin is in your possession? (I think the answer to that is yes -- but what would stop people from entering a bunch of certificate numbers and contacting anyone else who enters them? I don't *think* that's what's happening here, but it seems to be a flaw in the system.)
I wouldn't want to keep definitive stolen property within my collection. What is the appropriate course of action?
Collecting: Cents, Dansco 7070, Half Dollars, 1947, 1976, random pieces I like
My PCGS Registry
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Comments
<< <i>and he's leaving the coins in his registry to see where they turn up in order to file a police report. >>
Hm. That is strange. I would assume that you must file a police report at the time of the theft. I would assume you don't wait some indeterminate amount of time before filing such a report. I had a theft once. I filed a police report within the hour.
I, too, would be suspicious. If there is no police report, there may not have even been a theft.
The registry is no place to verify such information.
Russ, NCNE
Yup, what he said. Theft-report-add new items or info. Its normal to file a report with L.E. first, right after the theft. Doing it anyother way is only going to make things worse not to mention you might only have so much time to file for a theft.
Something doesnt sound right... Your info is now in the hands of a stranger, who knows you collect coins...
<< <i>I was contacted by an employee of Collectors Universe ... >>
ask for more info from them.
when was it listed as stolen?
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
<< <i>As a former Deputy Sheriff, I concur with what others have said. If he/she has no proof of ownership nor filed a police report, you have no obligation to do anything. Anyone can claim to have something stolen. I would at least get the identity of the other party, just in case as others stated, it is some sort of a scam. I would be on guard for sure. >>
Also... 100+
Keep all e-mails, have the original owner have the police agency that they are contacting contact you. It is very possible you are in possession of stolen goods, but make sure the authorities are involved. You maybe a victim in this also.
I would approach this situation with caution.
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
edit:sp
Perhaps open dialogue with this person and find out at least what city he resides in and maybe gather some more information.
I just don't know.
What I do know is that PCGS should have a record of who this person is because to sign up for the registry, you need to give an email, a name and an address. If what he gives you differs from what PCGS has on record then maybe it is a scam.
I guess I would just work the situation.
The name is LEE!
hopefully you still have record of who from and when you bought it
I would think that they meant to add to the police report
I would call customer service at PCGS and see what they can add to the situation
if 1 eBay seller turned many of the stolen coins, that would be a great lead to any investigation
you may also call eBay and see what they suggest
I don't know that keeping it in my PCGS inventory matters much. Although I have the records of purchase and high-res photos I shot I figure I paid some tuition.
I guess I'd just like to know if it shows up.
Lance.
- Confirm with PCGS that they agree with the individual's claims.
- Mention to the individual who contacted me that I purchased on eBay, and eBay has a policy for dealing with stolen property in listings. link
- Ask for the name and location of a police offer familiar with the theft (I'll call the precinct directly and track down the officer) and provide auction details directly to the authorities.
Collecting: Cents, Dansco 7070, Half Dollars, 1947, 1976, random pieces I like
My PCGS Registry
Why not crack it out, re-submit it, and see if you can get an upgrade ?
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Unless the seller has a reputation for selling high end copper coins, and or has fantastic images, you should not be buying 66 red copper on ebay even if you are buying way below price guide.
<< <i>Slightly off topic:
Unless the seller has a reputation for selling high end copper coins, and or has fantastic images, you should not be buying 66 red copper on ebay even if you are buying way below price guide. >>
Why? I've done this for 10 years. Buying high-end red copper is no more risky than buying high-end silver or gold, certified by a major TPG, and with a return policy, of course.
Lance.
A young man came into his shop and sold him some gold jewelry. The dealer filled out all the legally required paperwork and bought the items from the young man.
A few days later the young man's mother shows up in the shop and asks if he had bought any gold items that matched her description. The dealer informed the mother that he had bought them and that they were still in the safe. The seller's mother then asked for the return of the items since her son had stolen them.
He said he would be happy to return the items as soon as he saw the police report she filed and charges had been brought against the son.
The mother said she had no intention of filing a report or having her son arrested.
The dealer replied: No police report, no arrest, no theft. He kept the jewelry and never heard from the mother again.
with the above statement
been there done that
<< <i>Slightly off topic:
Unless the seller has a reputation for selling high end copper coins, and or has fantastic images, you should not be buying 66 red copper on ebay even if you are buying way below price guide. >>
I don't get this, either.
Maybe in gathering info, a case number be required that can forwarded to new owners so they can be assured the coin(s) were in fact stolen?
Angel Dees, Iras4 and others can help you have TOP coins for the grade in your collection, or just ignore me and carry on.