Scammed by being stupid
- Thread starter M-61
- Start date
Nowadays, it's not if, but when you run up against these scammers. They pull pictures off one site and peddle the item on another 6 sites or go after the Want To Buy listings with exactly what you want at a real bargain.
I read every post of a prospective seller and have some nice long phone conversations prior to ever sending money to someone I don't know to be on the Up&Up. If my gut is not satisfied, I'll find an item somewhere else.
The worst scenario is when you buy a item that is misrepresented by a know shooter or hunter. Then they drop off the radar, when you discover it is a faulty xyz. I got took on a weather meter that the batteries had totally ruined.
I read every post of a prospective seller and have some nice long phone conversations prior to ever sending money to someone I don't know to be on the Up&Up. If my gut is not satisfied, I'll find an item somewhere else.
The worst scenario is when you buy a item that is misrepresented by a know shooter or hunter. Then they drop off the radar, when you discover it is a faulty xyz. I got took on a weather meter that the batteries had totally ruined.
Never said anyone cares or will work the case. Just said what it is. But I do take your point.
Sadly, I simply don't trust new members; if the seller doesn't have 8-10 transactions, buys and sales, I won't do business. We've got a great community but it only takes a couple thieves to ruin everything. You weren't stupid, you were overly trusting. In this high tech world, computers allow people to operate under a cloud of cover allowing them to maintain different personalities and operate without impunity. This environment mandates that we maintain our defenses.
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Some member in the Fort Worth area should set up a game cam on that neighborhood mail box to record who feeds from it.
Secondly a complaint should be lodged with the appropriate law enforcement agency for that address so that they are aware of the shirbird's nefarious activity. It is likely that the USPS Postal Police in that area would be interested.
I know that the naysayers believe that LE doesn't care; however, no investigation gets started without a complaint.
Secondly a complaint should be lodged with the appropriate law enforcement agency for that address so that they are aware of the shirbird's nefarious activity. It is likely that the USPS Postal Police in that area would be interested.
I know that the naysayers believe that LE doesn't care; however, no investigation gets started without a complaint.
Pappy42, after being scammed by someone on this forum, I filed a complaint with the USPS and the state where my PMO was sent. Did paperwork and traded emails with authorities...... to date nada. So I too believe the authorities don't care.
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
Playing the devil here.
Just a WAG but I'd bet there are hundreds of thousands of thefts and scams every year that come under the Post Office jurisdiction. How much money do the taxpayers want to spend and how much is budgeted for enforcement for people doing dumb stuff? Think about it.
Just a WAG but I'd bet there are hundreds of thousands of thefts and scams every year that come under the Post Office jurisdiction. How much money do the taxpayers want to spend and how much is budgeted for enforcement for people doing dumb stuff? Think about it.
Hogpatrol, I agree with your statement. However making a law against mail fraud is a feel good action if nothing is done. at the very least PO employees should tell you its unlikely anything will happen when a complaint is filed. Luckily for me the scammed amount was small. not so with others I'm sure.
Gotta jump in here to defend the Postal Inspectors. I worked several cases with them in the early 90's. They were so understaffed then it was pathetic, but Vets in the VAMC were having their mail stolen. ONE agent assigned. We caught the bad guy too. ONE agent in San Francisco...ONE. Oh there was ONE on the other side of the bay too. Speaking to them, they were busting butt back then, but not nearly enough to ever catch up....so they became very picky on what they could work. But wow, when they worked they tore things up. 5 years for every single piece of mail diverted. My bad guy had a room full, over 6,000 pcs in total.
Dick, sorry if it sounded like I was ragging on the PO. not my intent. by and large they do a great job despite the bad apples you find in any line of work. but mail fraud now has to be a multimillion (maybe billion) dollar business. time to do something different.
Dunno how much work it might be to get set up, but I like the idea of Forum Boss establishing a minimum of 100posts in order to even SEE the Classifieds...let alone reap benefits of buying/selling...
Classified ads should only be visible to those actively LOGGED ON to this Forum.
Most importantly, an established member buying/selling can easily scroll through another member's 100+ posts and deem for themselves if that member is legit to do business with...
Sorry for OP getting scammed. I agree, shooters tend to be a very honorable bunch! So, it's up to us to help each other out and ferret these scumbags outta here...
Classified ads should only be visible to those actively LOGGED ON to this Forum.
Most importantly, an established member buying/selling can easily scroll through another member's 100+ posts and deem for themselves if that member is legit to do business with...
Sorry for OP getting scammed. I agree, shooters tend to be a very honorable bunch! So, it's up to us to help each other out and ferret these scumbags outta here...
Contact the state Attorney General. They may be able to help.
Some really good points and I might add that should a 'member' be blocked, removed, kicked off, (whatever the correct terminology is), that information should be immediately posted. In doing so it could prevent a 'back-end run' by the scammer in dealing with you through email after the scam has started. This scammer Txpop40 only contacted me once through the site and this was in a brief PM telling to contact him through his email.( for pics...but that was the hook)
I blame no one but myself for this, but I think in doing the above it may help. Actually if you follow ALL the rules I chose to ignore it probably won't happen.
It sucks to get ripped off, it is always a tough call sending money to a complete stranger . Sadly not much can be done about it .I notice on this thread and others that the feedback system is mentioned as a way to judge a character .I disagree with this,I have made at least 7 purchases and have 1 feedback. For that system to work the Seller needs to leave feedback as soon as the money has cleared and the Buyer needs to leave feedback as soon as the product arrives and buyer is satisfied with it . From my experience that system is flawed.
Some good points. I Moderate another major forum (hobby but, not firearms related) and one rule in the classifieds is you must have 75 significant posts and have been a member for 6 months before being able to load/see it.
I also like Fredo's idea of making classifieds invisible to non registered members. It wont stop all thieves but, it will make it harder for them to scam.
Sorry to see anyone be taken advantage of.
I also like Fredo's idea of making classifieds invisible to non registered members. It wont stop all thieves but, it will make it harder for them to scam.
Sorry to see anyone be taken advantage of.
Forum Boss
Administrator
The idea of blocking visibility of classifieds to non-registered member may have merit. We will look into that.
However, there are a couple concerns: 1) Over half the overall daily traffic for the Forum is from people who haven't registered (yet). Limiting ad viewing to members would significantly reduce the visibility of all ads... something that might harm all sellers.
We have some basic limits in place that prevent a newbie from posting "for sale" or "WTB" listings for a period. The problem with mininum post counts is that people put up a bunch of nonsense just to raise the post count.
I want to stress for everyone that if someone won't respond by phone, or if they won't provide a street address, or if they won't provide a custom photo... then you should be suspicious. By "custom photo", I mean you could say -- could you provide a photo of you holding that stock with a sock on the end.
Re posting a "Bad Guy" list, when a member is banned his name appears with a line through it. You can always ask for a PM exchange to verify his current status.
The problem with any bad guy list is that most people will ignore it. The individual buyer/seller must still remain vigilant.
I would say 90% of the problems that have been encountered here (and there are really very few) would NOT have happened at all if the buyer had CALLED the SELLER on the PHONE. No phone access = NO DEAL.
However, there are a couple concerns: 1) Over half the overall daily traffic for the Forum is from people who haven't registered (yet). Limiting ad viewing to members would significantly reduce the visibility of all ads... something that might harm all sellers.
We have some basic limits in place that prevent a newbie from posting "for sale" or "WTB" listings for a period. The problem with mininum post counts is that people put up a bunch of nonsense just to raise the post count.
I want to stress for everyone that if someone won't respond by phone, or if they won't provide a street address, or if they won't provide a custom photo... then you should be suspicious. By "custom photo", I mean you could say -- could you provide a photo of you holding that stock with a sock on the end.
Re posting a "Bad Guy" list, when a member is banned his name appears with a line through it. You can always ask for a PM exchange to verify his current status.
The problem with any bad guy list is that most people will ignore it. The individual buyer/seller must still remain vigilant.
I would say 90% of the problems that have been encountered here (and there are really very few) would NOT have happened at all if the buyer had CALLED the SELLER on the PHONE. No phone access = NO DEAL.
Very true....BUT would it increase registration?
That I bet is an absolute fact. I'd like to use that as an excuse for my screw-up!
Bobbyboy6br
Silver $$ Contributor
Same thing happened to me I posted a wanted add for a marlin lever rifle.a day goes by and bingo this scammer has the rifle im looking for ,and what a great price 600 dollars delivered.to good to be true right .guy sends three pictures of the rifle .and he joined the same day that I posted the add .but how I know he's a scammer is funny ,he sent me three pictures (the same pictures that's are on gun broker ,and that rifle is selling for 1400 dollars .so I said NO DEAL
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Forgive me, but I don't understand this turmoil over being scammed. If I have worries, I just use Tradiator. If the seller doesn't agree to using Tradiator, I have my answer, and I walk. Fees? 2.5% to $4999.00 with a $10.00 minimum. Accurateshooter.com should be linking with them. No Problem, No Worries. Facs below.
http://tradiator.com/escrow_fees.php
http://tradiator.com/escrow_fees.php
Great points, Forum Boss.
Considering the sheer mass of quality content on this site, I'd hope that blocking views of 'surfers' to the Classifieds wouldn't adversely affect site traffic?
If traffic volume remains a concern, maybe there is a way for the Classifieds main page to remain visible, but only 'logged on' forum members may open individual threads to read the content??? That'd allow 'surfers' to peruse all the Classifieds, but they'd have to join & LOG ON in order to open a specific thread to access details, contact info, etc...
As for members who might "pad" their post count to reach 100posts...thats exactly the point! Those 'one-liner' thread replies stick out like a sore thumb to anyone who'd search "member posts". IE, 'post padders' are giving themselves away as one to avoid doing business with...
But as you point out clearly, the onus will always remain squarely upon members to vet each other before transacting.
I've always regarded online Classifieds as a 'bonus' for productive Forum members to enjoy responsibly. IMHO, limiting the "hit & run" access to Classifieds is simply a means to keep the trash from blowing in...
Thanks for running a great forum!
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