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Due Dilligence Beats Scope Scammer

What did you see on the photo that indicated it was photoshopped?

Forum Boss: The edges of the name sheet are not right, the perspective is wrong (big give-away), the colors are not right. Oh and it's just superimposed on the original photo!! HUGE RED FLAG.

When asking for a custom photo, make sure you ask for something that TOUCHES the scope and ask for a different angle. For example -- tie a colored sock around the scope and put it on your window sill.
I’ll go ahead and admit that I still can’t see what’s wrong with the picture - even with the telltale signs being pointed out. Scary. Is there a site that covers the basics on how to spot photoshopped images?
 
I have some target bullets to sell before I move later this summer but plan to wait a full 30 days so folks can "learn me". Any specific advice to build confidence and lessen anyone's concerns? I would sell COD but I also have concerns about selling to an honest buyer.

68W40
The boss has said it many times, talk to the guy you are dealing with. You can usually tell in just a few minutes if you want to deal with him, post your number and ask to talk to him. I always list my cell number and address so it's easy to text or talk to me. If you are any judge of people at all it's pretty easy to get an idea if you want to deal with someone or not. I would buy your bullets if I needed them after I talked with you, good luck, John

Forum Boss: Thanks for making that point. Let me put it in giant print.

IF DEAL is over $500, ALWAYS ALWAYS do a VOICE CALL.

Not text, not email, not Facebook messenger.
VOICE, on the Telephone.

NO EXCEPTIONS EVER!!


If the seller won't talk... run away.
 
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I have become very cautious of whom I send a personal,check to. I hadn’t thought about it until my banker reminded me that in doing so, you are providing your name, address, phone number if it’s on the check, bank name, account number, routing number, sequence and a perfect copy of your signature. He informed that was a lot of information to give to a complete stranger a long way off.
 
I listed some 220 Swift dies in this forum’s classifieds for a friend of mine. There has been two potential buyers that made inquiries about buying the dies. I notified my friend about each but he doesn’t respond back to me until weeks latter. By then the potential buyers have either found another deal or lost interest or became suspicious of my post in the classifieds. I’ve given up on trying to sell stuff for him because of his lack of response and don’t want to sully my name and standing on this forum. I tried to find the posted listing to delete it, but can’t find it. The dies are,
*Redding Competition Bullet Seat
*Redding Neck Size
*RCBS Full Length w/Bullet Seat.
If anyone nows were the post is or who I can locate it so I can delete it, please let know.
 
I listed some 220 Swift dies in this forum’s classifieds for a friend of mine. There has been two potential buyers that made inquiries about buying the dies. I notified my friend about each but he doesn’t respond back to me until weeks latter. By then the potential buyers have either found another deal or lost interest or became suspicious of my post in the classifieds. I’ve given up on trying to sell stuff for him because of his lack of response and don’t want to sully my name and standing on this forum. I tried to find the posted listing to delete it, but can’t find it. The dies are,
*Redding Competition Bullet Seat
*Redding Neck Size
*RCBS Full Length w/Bullet Seat.
If anyone nows were the post is or who I can locate it so I can delete it, please let know.
 
The boss has said it many times, talk to the guy you are dealing with. You can usually tell in just a few minutes if you want to deal with him, post your number and ask to talk to him. I always list my cell number and address so it's easy to text or talk to me. If you are any judge of people at all it's pretty easy to get an idea if you want to deal with someone or not. I would buy your bullets if I needed them after I talked with you, good luck, John

Forum Boss: Thanks for making that point. Let me put it in giant print.

IF DEAL is over $500, ALWAYS ALWAYS do a VOICE CALL.

Not text, not email, not Facebook messenger.
VOICE, on the Telephone.

NO EXCEPTIONS EVER!!


If the seller won't talk... run away.
I agree with this, however I don't want to be taken for $20, let alone $500. I bet there's a bunch of instances where people get taken for $50, $100 and just say F*** it and write it off.

I posted this for everyone to see an example of what happened and how they did it. I agree, a phone call would have PROBABLY solved it, but I'm sure there's ways around that too.
 
A prevalent source of scams are abandoned user accounts for which credentials have been compromised and available to scammers on the dark web who then change the password and take over the account. They then have access to an established account that may even have some serious and knowledgeable posts. It is a bonus to the scammers if it also has a positive trader rating or feedback.
 
Thanks. Another member informed me of the listing title of which I forgot what it was.
 
Glad you didn’t get burned and I’m glad you shared the experience. I buy most of my optics used, especially the high dollar stuff. I’ve never been burned, I’ve avoided a couple of questionable opportunities by asking a few questions if there is no feedback. Seems lately that fraud is on the rise and a certain few have figured out WTB ads are good targets. Classifieds in general for that matter. My defenses are up more and more. I still like buying used when I see a good deal, just gonna take it up a notch on the protect myself meter. The feedback feature is really comforting when your on a forum such as this. If the feedback is good and there’s multiple transactions my hackles go down and the green light comes on. If they are member that’s even better.
 
I agree with this, however I don't want to be taken for $20, let alone $500. I bet there's a bunch of instances where people get taken for $50, $100 and just say F*** it and write it off.

I posted this for everyone to see an example of what happened and how they did it. I agree, a phone call would have PROBABLY solved it, but I'm sure there's ways around that too.
Glad you shared your experience... I don't understand why you would not want to speak with someone on a phone call with type of value involved..
 
Glad you shared your experience... I don't understand why you would not want to speak with someone on a phone call with type of value involved..
I'm not opposed to a phone call. Just saying, there are ways scammers can beat that too. I would like to have every tool in my toolbox when sniffing out a scammer. Relying on a phone call alone may have better odds, not fool proof imo. If you don't ask the right questions, you could still get taken. Google voice, re-routing phone #'s, practicing an accent, and doing a little research on a item, the possibility to get scammed is still there IMO. How many millions of dollars are taken from phone scams to this day!

It works until it doesn't. Scammers while looking for the quickest easiest buck aren't completely stupid. They evolve to changing tactics.
 
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I'm not opposed to a phone call. Just saying, there are ways scammers can beat that too. I would like to have every tool in my toolbox when sniffing out a scammer. Relying on a phone call alone may have better odds, not fool proof imo.
The purpose of a live call is not to smoke out an American crook, primarily, but to filter out immediately the foreigners who speak English as a second language, if at all.

However, I'm confident I can smoke out on the telephone an American who purports to be a shooter / hunter (but in fact knows very little if anything) by asking a few casual questions about their gear and shooting experiences.

Who is impossible to smoke out is a real American shooter / hunter who is a crooked trader, i.e. an "insider" - one of us. Even asking for a tamper-proof set of photos is no guarantee, as he could have the actual scope but plan to keep your money and the scope, both!
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