Another Gun/Reloading SCAM Website -- One of 3000 Now

[onelastshot]

Forum Boss:
Folks, there are now nearly 3000 SCAM websites for guns and shooting/reloading supplies.

Always, always, always check with StopGunScams.com

I have just reported this bestpowdersupplier website to StopGunScam
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Just finished reviewing a site on the web called "Best Powder Supplier". The first clue was that they claimed to have all the powders and primers every other supplier is out of, items such as RL26 and F210 primers. After filling my basket and going to the purchase tab I realized that they only took Bitcoin and Zelle for payment. I hit the purchase button without providing any banking information. I received an email from them; when I tried to send an email it bounced back. I called their telephone number and asked for someone to get back to me. About an hour later I received a call from a kid with a heavily accented voice. Instead of providing my information I began asking questions regarding what powders and primers would go best with a specific cartridge; questions only an experienced hand loader would know. I was very clear he had no idea what I was asking. When I asked how long they'd been running this scam, he hung up. BUYER BEWARE.

 

[divingin]

Just finished reviewing a site on the web called "Best Powder Suppliers". The first clue was that they claimed to have all the powders and primers every other supplier is out of, items such as RL26 and F210 primers. After filling my basket and going to the purchase tab I realized that they only took Bitcoin and Zelle for payment. I hit the purchase button without providing and banking information. I received an email from them; when I tried to send an email it bounced back. I called their telephone number and asked for someone to get back to me. About an hour later I received a call from a kid with a heavily accented voice. Instead of providing my information I began asking questions regarding what powders and primers would go best with a specific cartridge; questions only an experienced hand loader would know. I was very clear he had no idea what I was asking. When I asked how long they'd been running this scam, he hung up. BUYER BEWARE.

Bitcoin, Friends and Family, and Zelle are the biggest indicators. No recourse once the button is pressed.

I usually look up the address (no address, no interest from me) in Google Earth; often it's an empty lot. Street View can give you an idea if there's actually a business there; though there are some home businesses that are legit.

Calling them was good, but won't always weed out scams. Especially since hardly anyone answers the phone these days.

Bottom line: If it's too good to be true, it isn't.

 

[ARW]

Only one word for that place.....RUN!!!!!

 

[Krogen]

I won't go that far in weeding out scams. I'd never give them my email or phone information, or anything else for that matter.

IMNHO, it's sufficient to look for three things: 1) Physical presence in Google Earth or similar, 2) reasonable in-stock and out-of-stock items, and 3) payment accepted via credit card. If they get through that trapline, only then would I dig a little deeper; say, with a phone call.

 

[Forum Boss]

Folks, there are now nearly 3000 SCAM websites for guns and shooting/reloading supplies.

Always, always, always check with StopGunScams.com

We have explained multiple times how to spot scams.
1. Availability of huge quantities of hard to find powders or components
2. No Availability of MC/Visa/Amex and preferred Bitcoin, Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, ApplePay
3. Weird or non-existent shop physical address -- do a Google search
4. No phone number, or listed number goes to Google voice.

 

[onelastshot]

Bitcoin, Friends and Family, and Zelle are the biggest indicators. No recourse once the button is pressed.

I usually look up the address (no address, no interest from me) in Google Earth; often it's an empty lot. Street View can give you an idea if there's actually a business there; though there are some home businesses that are legit.

Calling them was good, but won't always weed out scams. Especially since hardly anyone answers the phone these days.

Bottom line: If it's too good to be true, it isn't.

I mistakenly gave my email address, never again, but a few things popped out as red flags: All the impossible to find items were available, no credit card option, only Zelle and Bitcoin, on the payment page there was no hasmat fee required, postage was far too low as well as the prices for the items and processing the payment was done through open chat. In the future I'll use google earth to look for the store.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Well, at least we know what that “Liberian Prince who has millions in Swiss Bank Accounts and just needs $10,000 to get it out” is doing.

 

[divingin]

I mistakenly gave my email address, never again,

IMO, that's not good, but not dangerous (unless you think spam is really bad.) You might get a bunch of unwanted emails, but it won't be a financial hit.